Waikato Squad Prediction

@Bovidae said in Waikato 2023:

Alapati Leuia

Played for Ponsonby on the weekend.

@Tim He's the ultimate rugby nomad.

@Bovidae said in Waikato 2023:

With the NPC season fast approaching I thought it was time to make some predictions about who may be in the 2023 squad.

Last year a 38-man squad was named, six of which never played due to long-term injuries. A few additional players were introduced during the season like Pita Anae-Ah Sue, Patrick McCurran and Tana Tuhakaraina.

So based on last year's squad:

Hookers
Samisoni Taukei’aho
Rhys Marshall
Sam Cooper (never played)
Steven Misa (never played)
Pita Anae-Ah Sue

Taukei’aho won't be available but I am assuming Marshall and Anae-Ah Sue will be back. Neither Cooper or Misa seem to be playing club rugby at the moment. If Filipo opts for a younger third hooker the options are Hakaraia Richards-Coxhead (currently injured), Sean Ralph, or maybe Matt Dobbyn.

Props
Ayden Johnstone
Ollie Norris
George Dyer
Sefo Kautai
Rob Cobb - transferred to Northland
Solomone Tukuafu

A replacement LH will be needed with Mason Tupaea at the top of the list.

Locks
Laghlan McWhannell
James Tucker
Hamilton Burr
James Thompson - seems to have transferred to C-M

At least one new lock will be required. Zinzan Hansen and Andrew Smith are two U20 players who could fill that gap, or Tom Martin used as a lock.

Loose forwards
Mitch Jacobson
Jack Lam
Samipeni Finau
Patrick McCurran
Tom Martin
Liam Messam - retired
Luke Jacobson
Simon Parker
Te Rama Reuben

Up to three of this group could be unavailable due to international duties. Parker and Martin are back after missing last season. McCurran could be used as a backup 7 to M Jacobson. The younger group of loosies would include Jonty Short, Senita Lauaki, Xavier Saifoloi and Malachai Wrampling-Alec.

Halfbacks
Xavier Roe
Cortez Ratima
Rhys Dickinson

1st 5s
Damian McKenzie
Taha Kemara

Another 1st 5 will be needed, preferably one with more experience. Maybe Ioane gets shoulder-tapped?

Midfield backs
D’Angelo Leuila
Anton Lienert-Brown
Quinn Tupaea
Alapati Leuia - hopefully gone
Gideon Wrampling
Bailyn Sullivan
Tana Tuhakaraina

ALB will be hoping to make the AB RWC squad, as will Leuila with Samoa. Levi Rewiti would be at the top of the queue for a young midfield back. I don't know what has happened to Quinnlan Tupou.

Outside backs
Daniel Sinkinson
Liam Coombes-Fabling
Mosese Dawai
Tepaea Cook-Savage
Ryan Tongia (never played) - hopefully gone

If Cook-Savage is committed to sevens then at least two extra outside backs will be needed. My guess is Cody Nordstrom and Latrell Smiler-Ah-Kiong. Tuhakaraina could be used as a winger. Waisake Salabiau is an option on the wing, assuming he has moved to Waikato and is not just a paid employee of Hautapu. Jole Naufahu is another development player.

@ploughboy and @OleOleOle might have some thoughts on other club players in contention, or rumours of players from outside the province.

no ideas sorry .dont live here and only game ive watched was a 1st div and dont think ant in that game will be there

Pita Anae-Ah Sue must be back.

Hopefully WR release the fixtures for all rep teams.

Someone asked when the squad will be announced and WR responded it would be on the 18th.

The FPC squad next week.

@Bovidae Interesting, I asked yesterday and they just said "FPC soon and NPC later on." Cheers for the info.

@Yeetyaah It's on their FB page regarding the Open Day. Maybe it depends on who sees the post.

A gradual squad announcement?

I mentioned that an experienced 1st 5 will be needed, and Wharenui Hawera might be that player. He's the leading points scorer in Waikato club rugby, so is likely staying on this side of the Kaimai's.

@Bovidae said in Waikato 2023:

I mentioned that an experienced 1st 5 will be needed, and Wharenui Hawera might be that player. He's the leading points scorer in Waikato club rugby, so is likely staying on this side of the Kaimai's.

Haven't you signed Josh Ioane?

@SouthernMann said in Waikato 2023:

Haven't you signed Josh Ioane?

I've no idea. I only mentioned that he would be a good pickup if staying in NZ. We'll see in a couple of weeks.

The ODT article after the Otago NPC side was named stated he is going to Waikato.

@SouthernMann OK, I hadn't seen that, only that Ioane wasn't returning to Otago.

Is there a link?

"He adds experience to a young backline after stalwart Josh Ioane signed with Waikato and Vilimoni Koroi is exploring new opportunities."

Jul 3

Naholo to ‘add massively’ to Otago squad

The chant for Waisake Naholo will ring out around Forsyth Barr Stadium once again. The former Highlanders winger, who scored a team-record 45...

That article is paywalled, but I assume you've quoted the relevant info.

The Waikato Times doesn't cover any local rugby.

This is the B team?

2023 NEW ZEALAND HARLEQUINS XV SQUAD

Vincent Green ( Melville )

Jonas Pomare ( Fraser Tech )

Manahi Goulton (Te Awamutu Sports)

Stanly Paese (Hautapu)

Teha Rehara ( Hautapu )

Kaleb Saxon ( Hautapu )

Sean Ralph ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Luke White ( Melville )

Zinzan Hansen ( The University of Waikato )

Josh Coffin ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Jake Russ ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Dave Morris ( Hautapu )

Xavier Saifoloi ( The University of Waikato )

Tevita Taukeiaho ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Senita Lauaki ( Hautapu )

Rhys Dickinson ( Matamata )

Keaton Neals ( Marist )

Logan Allen ( Matamata )

Jack Harding ( The University of Waikato )

Sam Toa ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Levi Reweti ( The University of Waikato )

Guy Landsdown ( Fraser Tech )

Westyn Cobb ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Shauncy Waho ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Quintin Hill ( Hautapu )

Josh Calvert (Fraser Tech)

Jackson Neels ( Leamington )

Latrell Smiler-Ah-Kong (Te Awamutu Sports )

From the players I am familiar with it looks to be mainly development/younger players.

Who are they playing?

Thames Valley and King Country. Not sure if equivalent team or pre Season for Heartland. Counties B. I found the team on the mooloo site and the draw on the harlequins site.

They might be part of the competition run by the northern regions: https://www.sporty.co.nz/northernregionrep/

Last year the Chiefs Cup was played before the NPC squad was announced so a lot of U20 players and wider training squad players were involved in those pre-season games. That isn't the situation this year.

AFAIK Waikato didn't have a B team in 2022, or at least I never saw a team/fixture list.

So we've got two halfbacks. Hopefully Roe is fit again.

I would think Tucker will be looking overseas soon unless he picks up a SR contract.