Wellington club rugby Gains & Losses 2026

One of our most awaited columns in the lead-up to the season and a traditional story as featured in the newspaper in former years is the Gains & Losses, tracking player movement in and out of clubs and the province.

This year is no exception, and this edition looks like a particularly bumper one!

Updates: There been a couple of updates (additions) since this was first published on Wednesday afternoon, and anymore will be added in, for the record.

________________________________________________________________________

Avalon

Colours: Maroon and Sky Blue
Head Coach: Siu Anae
Playing out of: Fraser Park
Known as: The Wolves
Last season: 14th

Gains: Haifine Aisea (Petone), Jona Bartley (Petone), Eric Botham (OBU), Tai Bryce (HOBM), Tom Fleming (Petone), Tasi Iosefa (Petone), Brian Lima (HOBM), Tauvaga Siolo (Poneke), Sio Tafili (HOBM), Lionel Taito (Petone), Taualai Tofilau (Petone), Sam Tonise (Petone), Marco Venter (Petone), Lochie Jackson (Stream), Quinn O’Kane (Otago), Nasa Qio (Fiji), Esera Andrews (League), Jesse Oloapu (League), Sonny Oloapu (League), Tui Yandall (League), Sefo Aumua (Injury), Daley Ena (Injury), Mark Savelio (Injury), Fa’alalo Wright (Injury)

Losses: Tukaha Wihongi (Northland), Sefulu Toelau (Australia), Jacob Faifai (Australia), JJ Puna (Ireland), Tobi Oliver (Ireland), Paulo Awatere-Mose (Retired), Jordan Aquila (Retired)

Super Rugby: Asafo Aumua

______________________________________________________________________

Hutt Old Boys Marist

Colours: Red, White, and Green hoops
Head Coach: Otto Rasch
Playing out of: Hutt Recreation Ground
Known as: The Eagles
Last season: Jubilee Cup winners

Gains: Caleb Robson (Poneke), Luca Rees (Norths), Tino Afele (Norths), Rupeni Raviyawa (Feilding HS), Brandon Lo (Scots), Riley Browne (Silverstream), George Jacobs (Horo-Kap), Asola Taape (Auckland)

Losses: Nonu Tuia (France), Harry Press (Australia), Sapati Tagoai (Australia), Nui Muirwai, Jordan Gillies (Management), Lise Soloa (Retired)

________________________________________________________________________

Johnsonville

Colours: Royal and Sky Blue hoops
Head Coach: Dallas Paotonu
Playing out of: Helston Park
Known as: The Hawks
Last season: Jubilee Cup semi-finalists

Gains: Thoma Takeuchi (OBU), Loto Va’a (OBU), Kayd Parata (Norths), Rodney Roebeck (Norths), Jared Kuresa (Tawa), Tafa Tafa (Otago), Josh Betham (Year off), Connor Fitzsimmons (Year off)

Losses: Saini Aiono (Pare-Plim), Mike Faimalo (Ireland, back in May), Charlie Barton (Canterbury), Tahana Firmin (Australia), Louis Magalolo (Australia), Olly Paotonu (Australia), Mark Sutton (Australia), Ken Kurihara (Japan), Ish Perkins (UK), Manihera Gardiner (Injury), Brett Taefu (Work), Andy Ellis (Retired, Coaching)

Super Rugby: Tavita Mafileo (Hurricanes)

________________________________________________________________________

Marist St Pats

Colours: Red jersey with white shorts
Head Coach: Brendan Reidy
Playing out of: Evans Bay Park
Known as: MSP, The Red Machine
Last season: Hardham Cup semi-finalists

Gains: Iteni Helu (OBU), Ioane Aukisitino (Town), Navrin Campbell (WC), Bentley Faulkner (WC), Dominic Mettrick (Town), Dylan Johanson-Su’a (Rongotai), Connor Maxwell (St Pat’s Town), Wade Kafatolu (St Pat’s Town), Angus Houghton (Sacred Heart, Auckland), Cam Burgess (Otago), Finlay Hagen (Otago), Lakisipone Lamositele (Auckland), Jacob Klingelsmith (North Harbour), Hamish Procter (Canterbury), Max Crawford (Otago), Adam Whibley (Otago), Oliver Ison (England), Eliott Vidal (France), Fabio Minelli (Italy), Nate James (England) Leo Balouzat (France), Sacha Lucas (Belgium), Gage Curry (USA), Meinrad Fitisemanu (Year Off), Iosefo Aukisitino (Year Off), Tevita Latavao (Year Off)

Losses: Jayde Burns (Norths), Tui Tuiatua (Wellington), Charlie Hankins (Auckland), Boaz Ikahihifo (Auckland), Preston Moananu (Otago), Taufaeteau Kaufononga (Hawkes Bay), Jake Wetere (Tasman), Dante Ford-Tuveve (Australia)

Super Rugby: Billy Proctor

________________________________________________________________________

Northern United

Colours: Blue and White hoops
Head Coach: Shane Pihema
Playing out of: Porirua Park
Known as: The Bulldogs
Last season: 12th

Gains: Jayde Burns (MSP), Taniela Tuangalu (WC), Ethan Lepou (Town), Paora Drake (Waikanae)

Losses: Jeremiah Collins (Pare-Plim), Jermaine Collins (Pare-Plim), Labront Tolai (Pare-Plim), Luca Rees (HOBM), Tino Afele (HOBM), Kayd Parata (Jville), Rodney Roebeck (Jville)

Super Rugby: Jackson Garden-Bachop, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Siale Lauaki

________________________________________________________________________

Old Boys University

Colours: Green and White hoops
Head Coach: Tomasi Palu
Playing out of: Rugby League Park, Ian Galloway Park, and Nairnville Park
Known as: The Goats
Last season: 10^th

Gains: Noah Aliva (WC), Te Ariaroa Mani (WC), Ed Weatherstone (Rathkeale), Hunter Kennedy (PNBHS), Alex Palazzo (PNBHS), Zane Annabell (Cullinane College), Lachie Earl (St Bedes), Sam Walton-Sexton (Hawkes Bay/Wai-Bush), Ben Gordon (Waikato), Calel Olicia-Aramboles (USA)

Losses: Thoma Takeuchi (Jville), Loto Va’a (Jville), Eric Botham (Avalon), Floyd Rose (Pare-Plim), Nico Aanderwiel (Waikato), Nat Barry (BoP), Nico Brown (BoP), Ollie Church (Otago), Riley Forbes (BoP), Enos Palamene (Auckland), George White (Otago), Louie Calvert (Australia), Sam Champion (Australia), Tom Henderson (Australia), Mitch McLeod (Australia), Hayden Patu (Australia), Reece Plumtree (England), Jackson Wright (studying overseas), Cody Quin (Retired)

Super Rugby: Caleb Delany, Callum Harkin, Kyle Preston

________________________________________________________________________

Oriental Rongotai

Colours: Black and White hoops
Head Coach: Poasa Poasa
Playing out of: The Polo Ground
Known as: The Magpies
Last season: Swindale Shield winners, Jubilee Cup quarter-finals

Gains: Abraham Fletcher (Upper Hutt), Connor Lemon (Upper Hutt), Devon Sopoaga (Poneke), Sam Va’a (Scots), Jarrell Sagote-Mears (Rongotai), Jordan Samuelu (Rongotai), TJ Robinson (Rongotai)

Losses: Semurana Fepulea’i (Moana Pasifika U20s), Tom Da Vanzo (Australia), Ronaldo Seumanufagai (Auckland), Samson Alaimoana (UK), Alex Ropeti (UK), Christian Semu (Australia), Joshua Semu (Australia), Elijah Ti’a (Australia), John Tuia (UK), Skivi Va’a (UK), Jericho Alaimoana (Injury), Ruperake Oluapu (Injured), Leon Sio (Work), Peteli Poasa (Retired)

Super Rugby: Xavier Numia, Penieli Poasa, Dominic Ropeti, Julian Savea

________________________________________________________________________

Paremata-Plimmerton

Colours: Black with Red and Gold bands
Head Coach: Matt Poutoa
Playing out of: Ngati Toa Domain
Known as: The Hammerheads
Last season: Jubilee Cup semi-finalists

Gains: Nick Robertson (Poneke), Labront Tolai (Norths), Jermaine Collins (Norths), Jeremiah Collins (Norths), Floyd Rose (OBU), Jono Ryan (Upper Hutt), Saini Aiono (Jville), Finn Leighton (WC), Teddy Cooling (Stream), Alby Hemopo (Horo-Kap), Ted Northcott (Horo-Kap), Broadus Melvin (BoP), Tony Coburn (Injury), Sam Meo (Injury), Kaino Wimutu (returning), Caleb Alaga (League), Sean Felise (League)

Losses: Sione Baker (Netherlands, back June), Peni Taupau (Upper Hutt), Mitchel Taupau (Upper Hutt), Emery McGill (Manawatu), Te Manawa Staples-Rei (Auckland), Laiton Walters (Injury), Keepa Cherrington (Returned but medical break), Alex Hinchliffe (OnlyFans)

________________________________________________________________________

Petone

Colours: Blue with White shoulder saddle
Coaches: Carne Green, Cam Prouting, and Eugene Smith
Playing out of: Petone Recreation Ground
Known as: The Villagers
Last season: Jubilee Cup quarter-finals

Gains: Julius Masoe (Poneke), Jordan Sului (Wainuiomata), Kitiona Leitufia (Wainuiomata), Wesley Faitele (Taita/Injury), Heath Tuifao (Stream), Kitiona Talaepa (Stream), Axel Daken (Stream), Aiden Saxon (Hamilton BHS), Kaleb Saxon (Waikato), Jacob Waikari-Jones (Otago), Lester Maulolo (Injury)

Losses: Jona Bartley (Avalon), Taualai Tofilau (Avalon), Sam Tonise (Avalon), Marco Venter (Avalon), TJ Clarke (Japan), Viliami Fine (Australia), Logan Wakefield (Ireland), Ben Kershaw (Ireland), Teddi Hern (Year off), Filipo Sipaia (League)

Super Rugby: Riley Higgins, Peter Lakai, Brad Shields, Stanley Solomon

________________________________________________________________________

Poneke

Colours: Red and Black hoops
Head Coach: Ross Bond
Playing out of: Kilbirnie Park
Known as: The Streetkids
Last season: Hardham Cup winners

Gains: Fraser Lindsay (WC), Jeremiah Tuhua-Vaitupu (Kings High), Kita Kanavatoa (Otaki College), Kaden Bond (Otago), Makaire Kanavatoa (Horo-Kap), Max Sellwood (Wai-Bush), Reimei Douf (Japan), Grant Harley (Scotland), Reihana Paewai (USA)

Losses: Nick Robertson (Pare-Plim), Caleb Robson (HOBM), Julius Masoe (Petone), Conor Strang (Horo-Kap), Elijah Talalupe (Hawkes Bay), DJ Taoipu (Australia), David Taoipu (Australia), Luca Belluci (Italy), Andrew Jones (Retired/Coaching)

________________________________________________________________________

Tawa

Colours: Blue, Red, and Gold hoops
Coaches: Thomas George & Damian Rapira-Davies
Playing out of: Lyndhurst Park
Known as: The Wolfpack
Last season: Jubilee Cup runners-up

Gains: Ryder Sao (Tawa Coll), Ratu Naroba (Poverty Bay), Luke Cummings (League), Josiah Tevita-Metcalfe (League)

Losses: Jared Kuresa (Jville), Faraimo Nofoaiga (Semi-retired), James So’oialo (Retired), Lotu Nuku (Retired), Reweti Katene-Leat (Australia), Saimoni Roraqio (Australia)

Super Rugby: Matolo Petaia, Hugo Plummer

________________________________________________________________________

Upper Hutt Rams

Colours: White, Gold, Black, Orange, and Maroon
Head Coaches: Matt Lee and Adam Campbell
Playing out of: Maidstone Park
Known as: The Rams, The Herd
Last season: Hardham Cup runners-up

Gains: Peni Taupau (Pare-Plim), Mitchel Taupau (Pare-Plim), Dawson Smith (BoP), Murphy Taramai (Japan), Swayde Brightwell (League)

Losses: Connor Lemon (Ories), Abraham Fletcher (Ories), Emmanuel Solomona (Wainuiomata), Jono Ryan (Pare-Plim), Daniel Schrijvers (Wai-Bush), Tynan Barrett (Golf)

________________________________________________________________________

Wainuiomata:

Colours: Green and Black hoops
Head Coaches: Dan Farani and Daniel Smith
Playing out of: William Jones Park
Known as: The ‘nui
Last season: Ninth

Gains: Emmanuel Solomona (Upper Hutt), James Holbrook (MSP), Kapani Maake (HOBM), Sio Taiao (Avalon), Elijah Solomona (Stream)

Losses: Jordan Sului (Petone), Kitiona Leitufia (Petone), Greg Lealofi (Wai-Bush), Andrew Wells (Overseas), Niko Patelesio (League), Lorenzo Pili (Injury), Zane Humphrey (Injury)

Super Rugby: Ruben Love

________________________________________________________________________

Wellington

Colours: Black and Gold hoops
Head Coach: Lua Lokotui
Playing out of: Hataitai Park
Known as: The Axemen
Last season: 13^th

Gains: Tui Tuiatua (MSP), Lei Aiulu (Norths), Vakai Tolai (Norths), Matt Proctor (Ories/Western Force), Mavaega Lokeni (Tawa), Robin Taumoenga (MSP), Jacob Mika (Otago), Dennon Robinson-Bartlett (HB), Michael Rongo (Southland), Archie Treadwell (Otago), Malin Moseeale (UK), Vilikese Tavola (Fiji)

Losses: None

________________________________________________________________________

Wellington RRA Premier Panel

Returning: Campbell Barry, Ethan Jefferson, Charlie Harris, Zarne Johnson (TBC), Ethan Loveridge, Ollie Michie, Colin Te Pohe, James Taylor, Matt Thomas, Nathan Pinder, Ben van Berkel

Departures: Steve Newson (Stepped down), Matt Perry (Overseas)

________________________________________________________________________

Join this year’s Tipping Competition at https://www.faceyoursfears.com/games/WGTN2026/join

________________________________________________________________________

Receive all our stories direct to your email inbox as they are published – sign up in the space below at the bottom of this article. Opt out any time.