General Warriors Harold Matthews 2026
- Thread starter Viking
- Start Date
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2026 Harold Matthews Cup squad
Agelu Malaesilia (Manurewa High School, Auckland)Ammon Lilomaiava (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Anakin Ormsby-Cairns (Gisborne Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Bailey Maruariki-Butler (Auckland Grammar School, Auckland)
Blake Bruce (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Christian Palu (Mount Albert Grammar, Auckland)
Christiano Elia (St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch)
Chris Sau (Manurewa High School, Auckland)
CJ Henry-Poutoa (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Dominic Tanoa'i (St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch)
Ezaiah Solomon (Hamilton Boys’ High School, Hamilton)
Hanita Takulua (Mount Albert Grammar School, Auckland)
Hemiata Togia (St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch)
Hoani-Manuera Kahukiwa (Christ’s College, Christchurch)
Jackson Robinson (Timaru Boys’ High School, Timaru)
Jai Meyer (New Plymouth Boys’ High School, New Plymouth)
Kaian Olsen (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Karcin Puna (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Kava Moa (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Kayce Perese-Sukroo (One Tree Hill College, Auckland)
Keanu Simpson (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Kenny Lafituanai (St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch)
Koia Cook (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Lennox-Rua Limu-Franklin (Christchurch Boys’ High School, Christchurch)
Liam De Har-Elliott (Hamilton Boys’ High School, Hamilton)
Lordzz Matapa (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Lucas March (Hamilton Boys’ High School, Hamilton)
Luke Mostert (Christ’s College, Christchurch)
Makarios Vaihola (St Patrick’s College, Wellington)
Makisi (Leka) Paea (Aorere College, Auckland)
Malakai Havealeta (Wesley College, Pukekohe)
Nathandavid Tapusoa (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Nela Kali (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Ngaio Morehu-Hamutana (Te Kura Kaupapa māori o Whakarewa I te reo ki Tūwharetoa, Taupō)
Reuben Matautia (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Rhayn (Rain) Taikato (Tauranga Boys’ College, Tauranga)
Rilee Huggins (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Robert Pange (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Sam Fox (Gisborne Boys’ High School, Gisborne)
Satali Asolelei-Fretton (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Shannon Pai (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Shaye McEwan (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Sifa (Joseph) Moala (Aorere College, Auckland)
Siope To'Ofohe (Southern Cross Campus, Auckland)
Stepharn Tekotia (Massey High School, Auckland)
Steven Luatua (Dilworth School, Auckland)
Tangifetaua Fangupo (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Tawhiri Rush (Tipene, Bombay)
Thomas Christensen (Christchurch Boys’ High School, Christchurch)
TJ (Tyler James Finlay (Aorere College, Auckland)
Tupouniua Otutaha (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Tusi Fanolua (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Vilikesa Nawaqavonovono (Marlborough Boys’ High School, Blenheim)
Staff
Head coach | Albert Vete
Assistant coach | Jethro Friend
Assistant coach | Fletcher Butler
Assistant coach | Tony Iro
Trainer | Will McTaggart
Trainer | Bryn Hopkins
Physiotherapist | Caine Nahu
Manager | Molisoni Otukolo
Video analyst | Sam Davis
Wellbeing | Leeson Ah Mau
Stoked to see someone from Taranaki in the Warriors system, hope he goes well.
NZWarriors.com
11K views · 1.9K reactions | ✨ A special moment for STARS ✨ We’re incredibly proud to share that our very own Jai Meyer, from our Senior Squad, has officially signed a contract with the @nzwarriors ❤️💚💙 This is a huge milestone - not just for Jai,
✨ A special moment for STARS ✨ We’re incredibly proud to share that our very own Jai Meyer, from our Senior Squad, has officially signed a contract with the @nzwarriors ❤️💚💙 This is a huge...
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Looks like a respectful young man
NZWarriors.com
Any new names to look out for? I know you rate Luatua
Of the other 60%, it’s basically all guys that were in the squad last year (including the handful that played in the final)
They are obviously doing a great job of identifying these guys a year early and have them progressing into senior member of this squad.
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- #8
Those boys that have predominantly played rugby like Luatua, will have some catching up to do. Judging by the schools and regions in boys named, there must be a lot more that have played little or no league.
20 boys are returning from last year including the 6 that were in the GF and 2 others that were 18th man in the regular round games. I would expect that all 20 will play some games this season. It's not the norm to blood that many younger players though and the other teams that did really struggled. The Bulldogs are a good example, they lost most of their games because their squad was too young. The Warriors had no choice due to injuries though. I think by the GF , they only had 20 eligible players left to pick from and the extras were mostly wingers. They were lucky that they only had to play 3 finals games and not the 4 that they potentially could have played depending on results. That might be why the coaches have brought more players in this year.
Kayce Perese-Sukroo from Wellington (moved to Auckland) is the best 9/13 in the comp IMO, I've watched all the preseason games on BarTV and haven't seen a player that comes close to him at dummy half. He was MVP at the National u16s clubs in Christchurch last year playing for the winning Akarana team. The games are on the NZRL youtube channel. He was in the squad last year but was injured through the Matts season.
Keanu Simpson is the 10 from last years Sacred 1st 15 and was the youngest player named in the Blues u18 camp last year. I don't think he's played much league other than a few games for Kotahitanga (I think) so it'll be interesting to see how his rugby halves skills transfer to league at Matts level, especially with the speed of the game. His ceiling is high though if you've watched him in 1st 15.
Rilee Huggins played a game or two for the Bulldogs last year and has transferred home. Big offloading 2RF/CTR that won the national schools with Kelston and national u16s with Akarana last year.
The Christchurch boys are all guns.
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- Thread starter
- #10
I haven't seen him play but heard that he's very good and should be the starting halfback next season.
His dad, Nathan, played Cook Island 7s and was a South Canterbury rep. Still plays local League at about 44 years old. Real fierce competitor. Played against him once at a National 7s comp & his team were up by like 2 points close to full-time and the bastard did the Tony Iro trick of running back towards his own try-line to wind the clock down
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- #12
I was wondering how the Warriors found him, he was the halfback for the Scorpions u16s at the club nationals. The Scorpions did OK, the only game I watched was when they got smashed by Counties so not a good indicator of talent. It would be good to see how he'd go behind a bigger pack.His dad, Nathan, played Cook Island 7s and was a South Canterbury rep. Still plays local League at about 44 years old. Real fierce competitor. Played against him once at a National 7s comp & his team were up by like 2 points close to full-time and the bastard did the Tony Iro trick of running back towards his own try-line to wind the clock down
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Sheesh! Reminds me of young SJs touch highlights.
Has TJ Ashford moved up a few grades?
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He took over the Flegg side halfway through last season.
