2024 Waikato National Provincial Championship Squad Announced

Waikato Rugby are pleased to announce their initial 34-man Bunnings Warehouse National Provinicial Championship (NPC) squad for the upcoming 2024 season.

Experienced forward, Ayden Johnstone is back again as one of the co-captains, but this season he is joined by another experienced player, half-back, Xavier Roe. Both players provide vast experience in the squad as they combine for a total of 84 provincial caps.

The bulk of the 2023 squad has returned in 2024, with 32 of the named 33 players returning from last season.  The new signing for 2024 sees, Josh Moorby, named to make a return to his home province, where he played his club rugby for Te Awamutu Sports and Melville, as well as playing age grade representative rugby for the Waikato Under 19’s in 2017, before making a move out of the province to find more game time. Since leaving the Province, Moorby, has amassed 37 provincial caps, having played 21 games for Southland, scoring 30 points between 2019 and 2021, before moving north to Northland where he played a further 16 games scoring another 30 points in 2022 and 2023.         

This season, twelve players have a chance to reach playing milestones. Two players, Hamilton Burr (49 games) and Ayden Johnstone (48) are knocking on the door of their 50 games milestone. While three other players, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Cortez Ratima and Quinn Tupaea all are on 38 games and could achieve their 50 game milestones later this season.

Seven players are in-line to receive their 18th game Blazer, these players are Solomone Tukuafu (14), Taha Kemara (13), Patrick McCurran (13), Sean Ralph (10) Malachi Wrampling (9) and Austin Anderson (8).

Waikato head coach Ross Filipo said, “We are thrilled to announce the 2024 Waikato team, which features a strong core of players from last season.

Their experience, resilience, and chemistry have laid a solid foundation for our success. Retaining these talented athletes ensures continuity and strengthens our pursuit of excellence.”

Waikato kick-off their 2024 Bunnings Warehouse NPC campaign as a part of a double header at FMG Stadium Waikato, Saturday 10th August, as game two when they host Bay of Plenty Steamers, kick-off 4:35pm.  Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC begin the day when they face Bay of Plenty Volcanix, kick-off 2:05pm. Purchase your season memberships to all Waikato NPC home matches here: https://mooloo.flicket.co.nz/

 

2024 Waikato Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship Squad

  1. Pita Anae-Ah Sue (19) Hautapu
  2. Austin Anderson (8) Te Awamutu Sports
  3. Hamilton Burr (49) Hautapu
  4. Tepaea Cook-Savage (24) Fraser Tech
  5. Liam Coombes-Fabling (38) Fraser Tech
  6. Aaron Cruden (4) Morrinsville Sports
  7. George Dyer (32) Fraser Tech
  8. Samipeni Finau (31) Hamilton Old Boys
  9. Luke Jacobson (28) Hautapu
  10. Mitch Jacobson (75) Hautapu
  11. Ayden Johnstone (48) Hautapu – Co-Captain
  12. Taha Kemara (13) Te Awamutu Sports
  13. D’Angelo Leuila (21) Fraser Tech
  14. Anton Lienert-Brown (22) University
  15. Patrick McCurran (13) Fraser Tech
  16. Josh Moorby (*) Te Awamutu Sports
  17. Damian McKenzie (37) University
  18. Laghlan McWhannell (34) Hautapu
  19. Ollie Norris (51) Hautapu
  20. Sean Ralph (10) Te Awamutu Sports
  21. Cortez Ratima (38) Otorohanga
  22. Gabe Robinson (0) Hamilton Marist
  23. Xavier Roe (36) Hamilton Old Boys – Co-Captain
  24. Xavier Saifoloi (6) University
  25. Daniel Sinkinson (22) Suburbs
  26. Bailyn Sullivan (60) Hamilton Marist
  27. Samisoni Taukei’aho (44) Fraser Tech 
  28. James Tucker (69) Hamilton Marist
  29. Solomone Tukuafu (14) Hamilton Old Boys
  30. Mason Tupaea (2) Hamilton Marist
  31. Quinn Tupaea (38) Hamilton Old Boys
  32. Gideon Wrampling (25) Hamilton Old Boys
  33. Malachi Warampling (9) Hamilton Old Boys

() = caps for Waikato

* = Debut


Article added: Tuesday 30 July 2024

 

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