40 years on from the inaugural season of North Harbour Rugby, our 2025 Bunnings Warehouse NPC squad will seek to return to the knockouts for the first time since 2022.

Paying tribute to the history of the Union, our Major Partners at Paladin Sports have designed several historically inspired garments in our new merchandise range. The range is themed around “40 Years of Harbour” and is now available to purchase here.

The Forwards

Of the 25 players returning to North Harbour in 2025, 16 are in the forward pack. Sione Mafile’o (North Shore) is the most experienced player in the squad, with 83 appearances for North Harbour under his belt. In the props, he is joined by Sam Davies and James Lay (both North Shore), the latter of whom is returning from injury. Four new props join the side, all having earned selection through club rugby. Eyes will particularly be drawn to Riley Tofilau (Northcote), who made his debut for the NZ Under-20 side earlier this season.

Bryn Gordon (Northcote) returns for his third season at hooker, while Penaia Cakobau (Mahurangi) has been upgraded to a full contract after joining the team as a development player last year.

With vast experience in the engine room, Felix Kalapu and Mahonri Ngakuru (both Northcote) will play their third season in Harbour colours. Tom Savage (North Shore) will play his first Bunnings Warehouse NPC season after eight years with Gloucester and four years with Suntory Sungoliath.

Three new loose forwards and the long-awaited return of Murphy Taramai (Northcote), fill the void of Wallace Sititi’s All Blacks selection. Four years after his last appearance for North Harbour, Taramai remarks, “a return was probably on the cards no matter what. Like so many of the other players, that COVID-

shortened 2021 season really fueled me to make a return for Harbour one day.”

“It’s a great group of young, enthusiastic lads and I’ve loved the prep for this season.” Commenting on his time back in Northcote colours, Taramai added, “it felt like I’d never left, with the club rugby spirit and tight competition ever-present.” With 53 games for North Harbour under his belt, Taramai will look to influence the team both on and off the field.

The Backs

On the other end of the experience spectrum, Hunter Rice (North Shore) is one of nine backline players yet to debut for North Harbour. “I was lost for words really, when I picked up the call from Jimmy (Maher). Playing for Harbour was always a big goal for me.”

“I can speak for the rest of the new guys as well, when I say I’ll feel proud to wear the jersey if the opportunity arrives.” Rice, a fullback, has risen through the North Harbour age-grade sides, having also attended Takapuna Grammar School. He will be joined in the outside backs by three returnees, including Mark Tele’a (Massey), North Harbour’s 35^th All Black.

In the midfield, Tom Barham (Silverdale) returns for his fourth season, while Tika Lelenga (Takapuna) has earned a recall courtesy of his stunning attacking form in our Kennards Hire Premier 1 competition.

The inside backs also contain plenty of fresh faces, with Siaosi Nginingini (Massey) the senior figure of this group after 20 North Harbour caps. Oscar Koller (North Shore) will be the next player to earn his blazer, while Patrick Pellegrini (Silverdale) will look to lock down the 10 jersey in his first Bunnings Warehouse NPC season.

One of the breakout stars in Super Rugby Pacific, Pellegrini is very familiar with the Union already. As one of Moana Pasifika’s best performers, expect him to bring his calmness to the big games.

The Squad

Hookers:

• Penaia Cakobau (Mahurangi) - new cap
• Bryn Gordon (Northcote) - 17 caps
• Lockie McNair (North Shore) – new cap*
• Chyle van Zyl (Silverdale) - new cap

Props:

• Sam Davies (North Shore) - 10 caps
• Siolo Fruean (Massey) - new cap
• James Lay (North Shore) - new cap
• Sione Mafile’o (North Shore) - 83 caps
• Kosei Nakamura (East Coast Bays) - new cap
• Tony Tafa (Massey) – new cap*
• Riley Tofilau (Northcote) - new cap
• Leka Tu’ungafasi (Takapuna) - new cap

Locks:

• Cam Christie (Silverdale) - 10 caps*
• James Fiebig (North Shore) – 8 caps*
• Zinzan Hansen (Massey) - new cap
• Felix Kalapu (Northcote) - 15 caps
• Jack Lee (Takapuna) - new cap
• Mahonri Ngakuru (Northcote) - 17 caps
• Tom Savage (North Shore) - new cap

Loose Forwards:

• Donald Coleman (North Shore, new cap)
• Tristyn Cook (Takapuna, 9 caps)
• Gage Jackson (Takapuna, new cap)
• Tamarau McGahan (Takapuna, 23 caps)
• Jed Melvin (East Coast Bays, 28 caps)
• Victor Olaaiga (Massey, new cap)
• Karl Ruzich (Helensville, 19 caps)
• Wallace Sititi (Massey, 11 caps)*
• Cameron Suafoa (Massey, 32 caps)*
• Murphy Taramai (Northcote, 53 caps)

Halfbacks:

• Cole Benson (Massey, new cap)
• Luke Campbell (Northcote, new cap)
• Siaosi Nginingini (Massey, 20 caps)
• Manu Paea (Takapuna, new cap)

First-Fives:

• Cam Howell (North Shore, new cap)
• Oscar Koller (North Shore, 13 caps)
• Patrick Pellegrini (North Shore, new cap)

Midfielders:

• Tom Barham (Silverdale, 24 caps)
• Ben Brownlee (Silverdale, new cap)
• Tima Fainga’anuku (North Shore, 7 caps)
• Tom Hendrickson (Silverdale, new cap)
• Tika Lelenga (Takapuna, 3 caps)

Outside Backs:

• Kade Banks (Mahurangi, 33 caps)
• Sofai Maka (Takapuna, 12 caps)
• Hunter Rice (North Shore, new cap)
• Mark Tele’a (Massey, 35 caps)
• Nikola Vikena (Mahurangi, new cap)

Team Behind the Team:

• Jimmy Maher (Head Coach)
• Grant Henson (Assistant Coach & Head of Pathways)
• Adam Foy (Assistant Coach)
• Craig McGrath (Assistant Coach)
• Brad Boult (Team Manager)
• Clive “Spy” Kelly (Assistant Team Manager)
• Kim Burke (NZRPA Personal Development Manager)
• Nick Marquet (Head of Strength & Conditioning)
• Ash Parrott (Strength & Conditioning)
• Keishi Ogura (Performance Analyst)
• Rahul Das (Team Doctor)
• Matt Wenham (Physiotherapist)
• Dominic Roe (Physiotherapist)
• Nicole Smith (Nutritionist)

*Denotes players unavailable for selection:

• Lockie McNair (injury)
• Tony Tafa (injury)
• James Fiebig (injury)
• Cam Christie (injury)
• Wallace Sititi (international duty)
• Cameron Suafoa (medical)

For further information or media enquiries, please contact:

Brad Boult

Bunnings Warehouse NPC Team Manager

[email protected]

Article added: Friday 25 July 2025