Centurions playing Canterbury, U16s and U18s teams in action and U85kgs rugby tomorrow

• By Scott MacLean

One group of representative players finish for the year on Saturday, while another competition kicks off.

The Wellington Centurions senior men’s side will be hoping to finish their 2025 representative season with a flourish against their Canterbury counterparts at Rugby League Park, whilst the Hurricanes U16s get underway with their first round set of matches ahead of the tournament proper starting in just over a week’s time.

It’s the second round of the Hurricanes U18s competition, while Pōneke are hosting New Plymouth Old Boys in the National Knockout Cup U85kg competition and the Wellington U85kgs representative side plays North Harbour.

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Under 85s National Club Cup

It’s Pōnekes turn to play their quarterfinal in the National lightweight knockout, and they’ll host New Plymouth Old Boys in their last eight contest. With Avalon exiting last Saturday, the Kilbirnie side is the last Wellington team standing and will be looking to push through to the final four. The Taranaki side will not be a straightforward task, and have eliminated Waikato pair Morrinsville and Fraser Tech and Bay of Plenty’s Tauranga so far. Pōneke have accounted for Hastings and Central Hawke’s Bay, before their epic overtime win on tiebreak over Silverdale last time out.

The winner here will take on the victor from the clash on the outskirts of Christchurch between home side Waihora and the Auckland Uni Slugs, while the HSOB Light Bears await the winner between the Auckland Uni Squids and defending champions Pakuranga.

Kickoff at Kilbirnie Park is at 1.00pm.

Representative

The Centurions conclude their 2025 campaign at Rugby League Park at 1.00pm when they take on Canterbury in their annual clash. The Wellington Fijians are also still going, and they’re in Masterton to provide the opposition for the Wairarapa-Bush Barbarians.

The Under 85kg representative side – drawn from players not involved in the National Club Cup – make their debut as they meet North Harbour in Taumarunui.

At the age grade levels, the Centurions U18s are in Palmerston North to face Poverty Bay and the  Wellington Samoan U18s host Hawke’s Bay at Maidstone Park at 12.00pm in the Division 1 matches. The Wellington Maori U18s are also at Maidstone at 12.00pm (games side by side at the same time) taking on Horowhenua-Kapiti in their Division 2 clash. Also in the U18 competition, Wairarapa-Bush play Whanganui in Masterton.

The Wellington Under 18 Girls are in Turangi to take on Bay of Plenty, while the Under 16s and Centurions U18s are both in Palmerston North for a “Game of Three Halves” each against Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay.

The Wellington Under 16 Boys are also in Palmerston North to face Manawatu, while the Wellington Māori U16s are in Napier to take on Hawke’s Bay.

Other U16 matches see Horowhenua-Kapiti and Poverty Bay meet in Napier and Wairarapa-Bush and Whanganui play in Masterton.

The U16 tournament proper is at Whanganui Collegiate on 20-22 September.

With their fifth loss from seven outings last night, the Lions season hangs by a thread. The 43-26 defeat in Whangarei has the defending champions down in 11^th, and nothing less than wins in their remaining matches will suffice if they’re to scrap into the playoffs.

Hoping their season doesn’t end in the North are the Pride, as their loss to Northland last Saturday consigned them to a return trip this week, albeit to Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei this time. Not making the Championship final for a second-successive year would be a considerable failure, but that can be avoided with a win here but will require a better performance than was delivered in Kaikohe. There’s little surprise there’s a few changes from last week with youngsters Keiana Roffey, Xanthe Somerville, and Fono Bason elevated to the starting pack. The big loss for the side is he absence of Keira Su’a-Smith, so Litia Bulicakau drops to fullback and her Petone teammate Nia Sutherland debuts at centre.

In the Heartland Championship, Wairarapa-Bush and Horowhenua-Kapiti swap opponents from last week. Fresh off toppling the leaders the Bush head to Taupo to face King Country while H-K host West Coast at the Levin Domain where the visitors might be in quite the mood after their defeat last Saturday. Upper Hutt’s Emmanuel Solomona is on debut for H-K.

Teams:

Wellington Lions (last night)

1.Xavier Numia (Ories), 2. James O’Reilly (HOBM), 3. Siale Lauaki (Norths), 4. Hugo Plummer (Tawa), 5. Teofilo Paulo (HOBM), 6. Caleb Delany (OBU), 7. Sione Halalilo (Ories), 8. Dominic Ropeti (Ories), 9. Esi Komaisavai (Pare-Plim), 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop (Norths), 11. Tom Maiava (Ories), 12. Julian Savea (Ories – Captain), 13. Losi Filipo (Petone), 14. Stanley Solomon (Petone), 15. Callum Harkin (OBU) | 16. Penieli Poasa (Ories), 17. Kenshi Yamamato (Japan), 18. PJ Sheck (Tawa), 19. Akira Ieremia (Tawa), 20. Cody Lokotui (Wellington), 21. Nui Muriwai (HOBM), 22. Kapu Broughton-Winterburn (HOBM), 23. Hibiki Yamada (Japan)

Wellington Pride

1. Keiana Roffey (Wellington Girls/Poneke), 2. Valini Vaka (MSP – Captain), 3. Faythe Finau (Norths), 4. Sanita Levave (Norths), 5. Xanthe Somerville (MSP), 6. Fono Bason (St Mary’s/Petone), 7. Lourdes Faifua (Petone), 8. Jackie Patea-Fereti (Petone), 9. Milly Mackey (Petone), 10. Arene Landon-Lane (Norths), 11. Harmony Kautai (Petone), 12. Madison Gold (Petone), 13. Nia Sutherland (Petone – Debut), 14. Baylee Meroiti (Norths), 15. Litia Bulicakau (Petone) | 16. Dora Laupola (Norths), 17. Lavinia Lea (Petone), 18. Paige Misky (Norths), 19. Lesieli Tuangalu (Norths), 20. Jessica Jackson (Poneke), 21. Te Arani Te Puni (Pare-Plim), 22. Nahliah Tagatauli-Tolova’a (MSP), 23. Emerald Tuhiwai-Polson (St Marys/Petone)

Wellington Centurions

1.Senio Sanele (Upper Hutt), 2. Harry Press (HOBM – Captain), 3. Jake Wetere (MSP), 4. Viliame Rarasea (MSP), 5. Harry Irving (OBU), 6. Jordan Chapman (Wellington), 7. David Johnson (Ories), 8. Conner Tuifao (Petone). 9. Mitchell McLeod (OBU), 10. Waylon Tuhoro-Robinson (HOBM), 11. Jacob Denyer (Tawa), 12. Olly Paotonu (Jville), 13. Ieti Campbell (Upper Hutt), 14. Fritz Rayasi (HOBM), 15. Jacob Walmsley (Jville) | 16. Leon Tuiloma (Upper Hutt), 17. Salesa Seumanufagai (Ories), 18. Geordie Bean (OBU), 19. Jeremiah Avei-Collins (Norths), 20. Nathaniel Barry (OBU), 21. Logan Henry (Petone), 22. Caleb Robson (Poneke), 23. Ethan Webster-Nonu (Pare-Plim)

Wellington Centurions U18

1. Tamati Payne (Upper Hutt Rams), 2. Faimale Tagoai (Town), 3. Harry Baddington (WC), 4. Kitiona Kenese-Talaepa (Silverstream), 5. Laifone Kaimoto (WC), 6. Brandon Lo (Scots), 7. Archie Schrader (Petone – captain), 8. Jack Robinson (WC), 9. Axel Daken (Silverstream), 10. Archie Sims (WC), 11. Fraser Lindsay (WC), 12. Cliff Hunt Jr (Tawa RFC), 13. Liam Phelps (HIBS), 14. Shea Boshier (WC), 15. William Davis Lenz (Silverstream) | 16. Riley Browne (Silverstream), 17. Seb Hopkins (WC), 18. Julius Toimata (WC), 19. Kingston Hill (Silverstream), 20. Kian O’Connell (HOBM), 21. Charisma Faitala (WC), 22. Thomas Pritchard (HIBS)

Wellington Samoans U18

1.Donncha McNamara-Taele (St Pat’s Town), 2. Herman Tuiatua (St Pat’s Town), 3. Ioane Aukusitino (St Pat’s Town), 4. Jack Stowers (Upper Hutt Rams), 5. Remy Fitisemanu (St Pat’s Town), 6. Ryder Sao (Tawa College), 7. Ethan Lepou (St Pat’s Town), 8. Lazarus Webster (WC), 9. Anaru Siohane-Hune (St Pat’s Town), 10. Advent Va’a (Scots), 11. Cordeius Faraimo-Selave (Porirua), 12. Dylan Johanson-Su’a (Rongotai), 13. Dominic Mettrick (St Pat’s Town), 14. Lochlan Jackson (Silverstream), 15. Nate Baker (Mana) | 16. Levi Aukuso (Rongotai), 17. Journey Thomas (WC), 18. Matthew Andrews (Avalon), 19. Junior Fa’avale (Taita) or Dru Faletolu (WC), 20. Rio Kosaka (WC), 21. Jae Lefaoseu-Malaulau (St Pat’s Town), 22. Taysian Davey-Tiotio (WC)

Wellington Centurions Girls U18

1.Ilo Lui-Fai (Marsden), 2. Roma Fa’amausili-McKenzie (St Mary’s), 3. Sei Pedro (St Mary’s – captain), 4. Matelena Tepai (Porirua), 5. Toakase Tali (St Mary’s), 6. Kahlia-Haze Temarama (St Mary’s), 7. Charlynn Tuiatua (Wainuiomata HS), 8. Maddison Hosking-Ah Chong (St Mary’s), 9. Asuka Kanematsu (St Mary’s), 10. Mariah Nicholls (Wainuiomata HS), 11. Te Orangaiti Swinton-Maligi (Bishop Viard), 12. Mia Ualesi (St Mary’s), 13. Angel Grace-De Thierry (St Mary’s), 14. Te Ariki Va’aua (St Catherine’s), 15. Maia Masina (St Mary’s) | 16. Arlani Bird (Sacred Heart), 17. Davina Leaana, 19. Annie Launiuvao (St Mary’s)

Pōneke Under 85s

1.Seamus Rowberry, 2. Tauvaga Siolo, 3. Matt Treeby, 4. Jack MacGill, 5. Markus Stowers, 6. Pasia Asiata, 7. Nathan March (captain), 8. Troy Howe, 9. Jimmy-Lee Hongara, 10. Declan Hay, 11. Ethan Rangi, 12. Adam Preston, 13. Nick Robertson, 14. Taine Regeling, 15. Max Rodgers | 16. Jeremy Hargreaves, 17. Tom Bollinger, 18. Harrison Faulkner, 19. Pa Taikato, 20. Mike Brown, 21. Tony Smith, 22. Maiterangi Arahanga

New Plymouth OB Under 85s

1.Jackson Carrington, 2. Oliver Campbell, 3. Matt Harold, 4. Ethan Johanson, 5. Logan Warner, 6. Joel MacLachlan, 7. Shaan Waite, 8. Jayden Ford (captain), 9. Riley Parker, 10. Josh Rei, 11. Max MacLachlan, 12. Caleb Wheatley, 13. Luke Taplin, 14. Jamahl Hapi, 15. Mason Milhan | 16. Reef Robinson, 17. Chad Smith, 18. Brendan Purcell, 19. Brad Valentine, 20. Louie MacLachlan, 21. Keegan Kawerau, 22. Sam Walmsley

Wairarapa-Bush

1.Tupou Lea’aemanu (Carterton – Captain), 2. Lewis Bush (Greytown), 3. Jeremiah Mapusua (Marist), 4. Malakai Biumaiwai (Greytown), 5. Alec Odell (Loan – Old Boys Marist) 6. Isireli Biumaiwai (Greytown), 7. Inia Katia (Carterton), 8. Folau Finau Vea (Loan – OBU), 9. Sam Walton-Sexton (Greytown), 10. Jack Eschenbach (Martinborough), 11. Soli Malatai (Greytown), 12. Jack Delaney (Loan – Feilding), 13. Levi Harmon (Pioneer/Loan – College Old Boys), 14. Charles Mataitai (Marist), 15. Boitumelo Tsatsane (Greytown) | 16. Terongo Tekii (Carterton), 17. Stan Wright Jr (Marist), 18. Vea Fuli (Greytown – Debut), 19. Sam Gammie (Eketahuna), 20. Thomas Williams (East Coast), 21. Daryl Pickering (Carterton), 22. Harry Eschenbach (Martinborough), 23. Gracyn Evans (Greytown)

Horowhenua-Kapiti

1.George Jacobs (Foxton), 2. Brad Reilly (Paraparaumu), 3. Ted Northcott (Rahui), 4. Dallas Wiki (Shannon), 5. Alex Fidow (Loan – Pare-Plim) 6. Albert Hemopo (Foxton), 7. Pene To’o (Loan – Upper Hutt), 8. Mika Alaifatu (Loan – HOBM), 9. TJ Barnsley (Paraparaumu), 10. Kahn Fotual’i (Foxton), 11. Joeli Rauca (Foxton), 12. Emmanuel Solomona (Loan – Upper Hutt), 13. Connor Paki (Foxton), 14. Max Hosking (Paraparaumu), 15. Sean Pape (Shannon) | 16. Michael Laursen (Foxton), 17. David McErlean (Foxton), 18. Mikaere Harvey (Foxton), 19. Stephen Burnell (Shannon), 20. Taine Hata (Waikanae – Debut), 21. Darren Falaniko (Foxton), 22. Jeremy David (Foxton), 23. Willie Paia’aua (Levin COB)

Wairarapa Bush U18s

1.Anthony Saumamao (WaiCol), 2. Harvey Thompson (WaiCol), 3. Rupeni Koroi (Rathkeale), 4. Eddie Weatherstone (Rathkeale), 5. Austin Grant (WaiCol), 6. Ricky Aeto (Makoura), 7. Ethan Davidson (WaiCol), 8. Freddie Heighway (WaiCol), 9. Taine Jones (Rathkeale), 10. Luca O’Gorman (Rathkeale), 11. Dane Hemedez (WaiCol), 12. Konnor Vainu (WaiCol), 13. Xhan Jones (Greytown RFC), 14. Vinnie Swanson (WaiCol), 15. Tanner White (WaiCol) | 16. Mason Woodhouse (Rathkeale), 17. Bayle Griffin (WaiCol), 18. Lincoln Waight (Martinborough RFC), 19. Harry Oliver (Rathkeale), 20. Brandon Smit (WaiCol), 21. Guy Handyside (Rathkeale), 22. Raniera Mason (Makoura)

Hawke’s Bay U18s

1. Flynn Hamilton, 2. Riley Mullany, 3. Tobiuz Lowe, 4. Eli Southwick, 5. Brad Pearce, 6. Ollie Maclachlan , 7. Carlo Mienie, 8. Carter Pirie, 9. Zack Paodi, 10. Tana Faumuina, 11. Filise Naufahu, 12. Will Lovatt, 13. Harvey O’Rourke, 14. Angus Lovatt, 15. Joe Jury-Senitu, 16. Pj Peivi, 17. Oscar Perese, 18. Monty Waihape, 19. Vincent Kite, 20. Solomone Halaufia, 21. France Tevita, 22. Joshua Talau