Premier squad preview part one

Photo by: Scott Siffleet

Sports News Taranaki looks at how each premier club rugby squad is shaping up ahead of the start of the CMK-sponsored competition on Saturday. 

Today, we focus on Tukapa, Clifton, New Plymouth Old Boys and Stratford/Eltham. Later this week, we will feature the remaining four teams.

Tukapa 
Last year: champions 

With the departure of some experienced Tukapa players, coach Nathan Lawrence has still named a strong squad for this season. Mitchell Crosswell and Leighton Price have retired and with Pomare Samupo moving back home to the East Coast and Jayson Potroz playing in the MRL, it leaves a few places to be filled. But the defending champions are up for the challenge again this year with many returning after last season.  New to the fold is mammoth lock Josh Platford. The South African-born forward was in the Natal Sharks U20 squad and the son of Shaun, who played for the South African Barbarians. A name missing is Issac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens who's been snapped up in Australia's Shute Shield competition in New South Wales. While coach Nathan Lawrence has named his Super Rugby players in the squad, it remains to be seen how much action they will see during the year.

Squad: Ricky Riccitelli, Liam Bernet, Luke Dravitzki, Shaye Hill, Patrick Syme, Brendon Dent, Tom Edwards, Patrick Howlett, Scott Mellow, Alex Perry, Mike Nyssen, Josh Platford, Mairenga Laapo, Nathaniel Peters, Chris Jollands, Josh Keech, Josh Hopkins, Jacob Morrison, Cullen Luckin, Campbell Woodmass, Keahn Tipu, Mason Porteous, Lukas Halls, Cameron Campbell, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Rory Ward, Luke Taplin, Ethan Lobb, Lagen Kumeroa, Reegan Aarsen, Brendan White. Coach: Nathan Lawrence.  

Clifton 
Last year: runners up 

Coach Colin Cooper has retained a large portion of his squad after its successful season in many years. He named a big squad with the premier and division one teams training as a collective for the first half of the season. Peter Te Kahu is one of the new faces for Clifton this year after playing for Stratford/Eltham in his first season out of New Plymouth Boys’ High School. His height at lineout time will strengthen the forward pack which includes former Taranaki and Hurricanes front rower Mike Kainga and stalwart Abe Haira with the team welcoming back Josh Tate-Iwikau from North Harbour club rugby. Clifton’s backline will also be the same as last year with captain Liam Blyde the first-choice halfback. If Clifton can maintain its form from last year, it too will be a threat in the competition.  

Squad: Patrick O’Carroll Haami, Josh Tate-Iwikau, Conor White, Kimo Faoagali, Abe Haira, Aaron De Ridder, Michael Kainga, Jonitani Boi, Blair Shorter, Daniel Guthrie, Tommy Hamilton, Reece Innes-Gray, Api Dawai, Brian Mulitalo, Whetu O’Carroll, Peter Te-Kahu, Cole Blyde, Ben Kauvadra, Huatau Hikaka, Caleb Waho, Liam Blyde (c), Topia Borrowcliffe, Matty James, Hanley Setu, Paul Faoagali, Fati Moeahu Leota, William Moala, Indiha Sao Tui-Huta, Josh Setu, Tomasi Faoagali, Pati Kwan, Corey Bennett, Isaac Griffin, Brandon Pokere, Dylan Wheatley, Caleb Wheatley, Fruen Dombroski, Zac Henderson, Willie Kwan, Corey Tait, Anton Lilley, Kin Naholo, Daniel Rona, Jared Proffit, Harris Gemmell. Coach: Colin Cooper.  

Stratford/Eltham 
Last year: semi-finalists  

Stratford/Eltham’s improvement over the last few years has lifted the standard of the whole competition. After making the semi-finals for the past two seasons the club’s threat to go further is real and is under last year’s coach Ross Williams, who has added experience to the team. There are a number of familiar local faces throughout the squad this year including Trent Rowlands, Jordan McFarlane, Aaron Tosland, Kyle Stewart, Matthew Kissick, Hemopo Cunningham, Nick Childs and Chayce Bailey. Williams has recruited hooker and plumber Harry Hansen, who came out of the Otago Boys’ High School first XV. Feilding's Eseoma Nabuka moves north to provide cover on the wing and the club welcomes back Leonie Nawai, who played for Stratford/Eltham six years ago. Stratford/Eltham wants to build on a positive pre-season campaign. 

Squad: Trent Rowlands, Harry Hansen, Jordan McFarlane, Alex Mitchell, Aaron Tosland, Fletcher Lourie, Michael Back, Kyle Stewart, Matthew Kissick, Hamish Walker, William Butler, Simon Bailey, Henry Marchant, Scott Jury, Codie Grayling, Hemopo Cunningham, Dayle Bailey, Kaese Smith, Campbell Moore, Nick Childs, Adam Lennox, Jack Meads, Leonie Nawai, Rocky Olsen, Brendon Coupe, Nathan Clough, Chayce Bailey, Willem Ratu, Jordan Masters, Shannon Haenga, David Avery, Eseroma Nabuka, Vereniki Tikoisolomone. Coach: Ross Williams.  

New Plymouth Old Boys 
Last year: semi-finalists  

New Plymouth Old Boys (NPOB) has named a strong side for this year’s competition, led by the same coaching group as last year with the addition of Jason Looney.  Most of last year’s form players have returned for another season and the forward pack will be bolstered by Rowan Slater, who has joined the team from Stratford/Eltham. Other new players are Sam Wairangi, who captained the Division one side to a championship last year and Jack Parker, who has returned home after being in Christchurch for two years and played for Buller last year. Many players throughout the side have played to a first-class level. Should injuries not be a factor, NPOB should be one of the stronger teams on paper.  

Squad: Mitch O’Neill, Josh Pokai, Matt Burgess, Perry Lawrence, Rueben O’Neill, Toby Burkett, Donald Brighouse, Deken Rooks, Jackson Morgan, Brent Tucker, Finn Hahn, Callun Botchar, Joel Williamson, Rowan Slater, Michael Loft, Josh Dowsing, Jordan Roylance, Bradley Slater, Kaylum Boshier, Tupou Vaa’i, Shann Waite, Brodie Lilley, Josh Rei, Jack Parker, Daniel Waite, Josh Thomson, William Luff, Adam Smith, Jamahl Hapi, Zak McDonald, Sam Wairangi, Cody Rei, Brayton Northcott-Hill, Mason Milham. Coach: Michael Carr.