Murphy Taramai bringing experience and energy to the Rams in 2026

Above: Co-captains of the Upper Hutt Rams this year – Todd Svenson with ball in hand and Murphy Taramai hot on his heels in support. Photo: Andy McArthur.

• By Steven White

By the time this article is published (Thursday afternoon), Murphy Taramai could well be a proud father for the third time. Taramai’s partner is due to welcome to the world a new addition to the current family of four.

This means that won’t be playing for the Upper Hutt Rams this coming Saturday against Paremata-Plimmerton. But he will be back for the rest of the season as the Rams’ No. 8 and co-captain with outside back Todd Svenson.

Taramai has returned to Upper Hutt to raise his family and continue his rugby journey where it all started down at Maidstone Park where he joined the then Upper Hutt RFC’s Colts and then the Premiers from 2013.

He is enjoying being back and playing in the Swindale Shield and helping out the next generation of players coming through the ranks, although he could be forgiven not recognising the place when he first returned.

“The upgrades struck me straightaway, it definitely looks different to how it used to, in a good way of course,said Taramai.

So far the Rams have been involved in three rollicking battles and have defended the Bill Brien Challenge Cup at home twice, beating Pōneke (66-32), losing to Petone (13-18) and beating Oriental-Rongotai (24-17).

Despite being in the losing side, Taramai led with a standout performance against Petone.

“The Petone game was one that slipped away,” he lamented. “We didn’t take all our opportunities, which was a learning for me in not taking the points on offer. We had a penalty out in front early in the second half and I ended up taking the scrum and we ended up losing the ball and got nothing from it.”

“It was a typical physical game against Ories. When they get into that pick and go mentality, they are really good at it and hard to stop. It was 17-17 with about eight minutes to go and then we scored a try but still had a couple of minutes to hold on at the end in the poor weather.”

Taramai at the back of the Rams’ scrum in their win over Pōneke in the opening round. Photo: Kinetic Images.

Rams Head Coach Adam Campbell praised Taramai’s return.

“What Murphy brings to that group, and to our club, is something special. His experience, his knowledge, but more importantly, his energy and positivity are infectious. He’s been outstanding in the way he’s worked alongside our loose forwards, passing on detail, sharpening their game sense, and lifting standards across the board. He’s a top man — not just in rugby, but in life. Energy personified.

“Murphy is all-in on the Rams. His passion for the entire club, juniors, seniors, and supporters, has been immediate and genuine. In a short time, he’s already helped identify areas we can grow and improve, and his experience across different environments over the past decade means he knows what great looks like.

“He’s also a great example of what’s possible through hard work and perseverance. Coming through Upper Hutt College and our own colts system, Murphy’s journey into the professional game hasn’t been the traditional pathway.  It’s been built on work ethic, resilience and a constant drive to improve. His work rate, on and off the field, sets the standard. To be fair, I’m not sure when he rests.”

Taramai said that having role models when he was young was a big part of his development. “When I grew up I always liked having people to look up to and to learn off, so one of my goals in returning this year is to be a helping hand around the club.”

“We have got a lot of experience in and around our team, especially with Mat Luamanu and Blair Cowan also having spent a lot of time overseas.”

Taramai landed in New Zealand last winter after spending four years living and playing in Japan

He played 43 matches between 2021-25 for the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks ,a solid Division Two Japanese club that plays in the Japanese Top League. Another player on their books has been former Petone and Wellington first-five Hayden Cripps.

“I played my last game for them at the end of May last year, then we moved back home and I re-joined North Harbour for last year’s NPC before heading home to stay” he said. “I work in recruitment and we have recently bought a house in Upper Hutt and with my growing family and rugby it’s pretty busy.”

He made four appearances for North Harbour to sit on 57 appearances for his adopted union between 2016-21 to go with one for Wellington in 2014.

Taramai is one of a handful of players still around playing from the original Upper Hutt Rams team that took the field for the first time in 2014.

Others include Eli and Josh Hunt and Mat Luamanu – last year’s captain Luamanu is helping coaching the Premiers and playing for the Premier 2s.

The Rams missed out on the Jubilee Cup semi-finals by one place that year, but there is one match that sticks out in particular for Taramai from that season, this one here:

This year’s co-captain Todd Svenson and his brother Scott joined the side in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Taramai and Todd have created a strong, connected leadership group.

“When you add in experienced players like Eli Hunt, Josh Hunt, Taineva Apineru, Franny Wolfgram, Kaide McCashin, Sio Fidow, Todd Svenson and Soa Fainga’a, alongside a group of exciting young players 21 and under, you can see how important someone like Murphy is,” added coach Campbell.

“He’s the glue that brings it all together and strengthens the group.”

Campbell is part of a wider group behind the scenes at the Rams this year. He is joined in the coaching ranks by Matt Lee, Paul ‘Shaggy’ Assur and Mat Luamanu, and with Dustin Brattle, Daza Harding, and Loza Dillon managing the side.

Afa Tauaifaiga and Logan Slee doing a great job as medics, Former Scotland international Blair Cowan is supporting their defence, and Tim Homan is Club Captain.

“These men are absolute gold for our club; volunteers who give their time and energy week in, week out. They deserve to be celebrated more.  They’re a dying breed, and we’re lucky to have them, said Campbell.”

Taramai first played rugby league after leaving Upper Hutt College, spending a brief period as a teenager with the Penrith Panthers before returning for the first time and starting with Upper Hutt in the Colts team in 2012. Below: Taramai’s Premier debut at the start of 2013.

He made a name for himself playing sevens and he played under Sir Gordon Tietjens in the All Black Sevens and played four World Rugby tournaments including in Wellington in 2015.

He briefly played for Wellington, then North Harbour, then the Blues for two seasons in 2017 and 2018 and the Hurricanes in 2020, playing once for the Hurricanes against the Highlanders in Covid year.

Taramai and Upper Hutt with the American Ambassador’s Sevens trophy in 2013

Whilst overseas playing in Japan, he represented Samoa in three internationals in 2024, against Spain, Fiji and Japan, which he says was an undoubted highlight from all the higher level rugby he has played.

How has the game changed in his time, particularly at club level?

“The skill level has improved, by playing a more expansive brand of rugby you have got to be more skilful, you have got all kinds of forwards throwing back door passes and back in the day it would just be carrying it up and running good lines.”

This week’s match for the Upper Hutt Rams against Paremata-Plimmerton is scheduled for Ngati Toa Domain at 2.45pm. Taramai will be following the side from afar. This is followed by two more away matches against Wellington and Old Boys University and then their next home game at Maidstone on 16 May against Marist St Pat’s.

Other players still working their way back from injury include hooker Leon Tuiloma (foot) and lock Gelu Lafaele (knee), while prop Alex Hewitt has been selected in the New Zealand U20s and will be with that side for much of the club season.