Club Rugby 2016 Premier Gains, losses and Transfers
Avalon – Coach: Aaron Falloon
Gains: Asafo Aumua (St Pat’s Silverstream, NZ Schools), Corey Blake (returning from injury), Karl Uilelea (Canterbury), Haruyama Yute (Japan), Pena Sione-Leota (Johnsonville), Poata Tuisamoa (St Bernard's college, Wellington Samoan U18s), Luese Momai - St Patrick's Silverstream ( Wellington Samoan U18s), Fenika Manson (St Paul's College, Auckland), Nathan Hermens (Taita College)
Losses: Shannon Bradbrook (rugby league), Ata Langilani (Canterbury), Maile Koloto (Old Boys University), LA Moemai (HOBM)
Hutt Old Boys Marist – Coach: Dan Vulu
Gains: Ben Power (HIBS, NZ Schools), Josh Rauluni (Wests Roosters). LA Moemai (Avalon), Tupeni Kamakorewa (returning from UHR), Shale Tangianau (Wainuiomata)
Losses: Nick Risdon (retired) Jason Risdon (retired), James Kusel (AFL), Tomasi Alosio (Samoa 7s), Jonny Bentley (UK, returning second round)
Johnsonville – Coach: Logan Tauiliili
Gains: Timoci Seruwalu (Wanganui), Nemani Waaka (MSP), Matt Mullany (OBU), George Banner (Fiji), Silao Bell (Marist St Pat’s), Mason Briant (USA), Carlos Carter (Horowhenua-Kapiti), Lorenzo Fruean (Upper Hutt Rams), Bertrand Guyader (France), Tavita Naquali (Fiji), Chris Oloapu (Samoa), George Shaouna (Cyrpus), Nomana Chase (Canterbury), Jesse Taupa'u-Rogan (Horowhenua-Kapiti), Jesriel Kraftt (South Africa), Daisuke Musha (Japan)
Losses: Corey Lawrence, Ha’amia Ahio, Declan Hay, Kane Le’aupepe, Ash Vivili, Dean Ropata, Mannasah Wineera (all Ories) Roy Kinikinilau, (Coaching Ories), Jack Taulapapa (Travelling overseas, returning to Wellington midyear), Rob Aloe (Coaching Norths), Vili Dakunimata (Tawa) Sean Bridge, Tiwi Davies, Deina Morete, Mao Apolo, Loius Karl (all overseas/injured/retired)
Marist St Pat’s – Coach: Ross Bond
Gains: Lucky Tuiatua (Oriental-Rongotai), Tyler Tane (Wainuiomata), Michael Findlay (Scots College)
Losses: Nemani Waaka (Johnsonville), Peniasi Tokakece (Tawa), Emanuel Quintane (France), Dan Turner (Retired), Sefo Setefano (Waikato)
Northern United – Coach: Gerard Fasavalu
Gains: Siaosi Mafi, Phillip Finau ,Mike Teofilo (all Tawa), Luke Bowden (Otago), Rawiri Barnsley (back from injury, Norths Colts 2014), Mike Ioapo and Johnny Teleaga (ex-Norths players but both returned from playing league for the Waratah Tigers in NSW), Muna Lafaele (Norths Colts), Ethan Robinson-Mate (ex. Norths player returned from Christchurch), Nathan Fotualii (ex-Norths player returned from Perth. Parekura Lalaga (Sydney, returning player)
Losses: None of note
Old Boys University - Coach: Jeremy Little
Gains: Sam Dawson (Wellington Axemen, Wellington U19), Junior Makapelu (Tawa), Cory Whakatihi (Tasman U19), Will Mangos (Waikato Development), Daven Candy (Up from OBU U21s), Marino Makaele Tu’u (HBHS, NZ Sec, NZ U20), Manahe Moana (Up from OBU U21s)
Alex Ropeti (Poneke), Jack Cooke (UK), Luke Harvey (Returns from Horowhenua-Kapiti Heartland team), Titapu Pairama Lewington (Returns from the UK), Teegan Minkley (from HK heartland team), Jono Ihaka (Manawatu Devevlopment), Cody Quin (Rotorua Boys’ High School)
Anthony Fox (Horowhenua-Kapiti Heartland team’s captain), Alex Coventry (Up from OBU U21s), Jon Masaga (year off, rugby league in 2014), Maile Koloto (Avalon)
Losses: Zeke Sopoaga (Southland), Joe Beech (OE – back at the end of the first round)
Adam Hill (Moved home to farm in Queenstown), Luke Campbell (BoP Steamers), Hamish Buick (Australia), Te Wehi Wright (Waikato), James Waddel (Auckland) Sam Chamberlain (Tasman), Danny Tusitala (Manu Samoa 7s and Samoa A – back hopefully end of first round), Liam Doherty (Waikato), Mitch Clarke (Retired), Morgan Poi (Hawke’s Bay)
Oriental-Rongotai – Coach: Roy Kinikinilau
Gains: Ha’amea Ahio (Johnsonville),Kane Leaupepe, Ash Vivili, Roy Kinikinilau, Dean Ropta, Mannasah Wineera Corey Lawrence, Declan Hay (allJohnsonville), Alex Fidow (Scots College, NZ Schools), Malachai Unasa-Knox (Rongotai College), Michael Tambour (Horowhenua-Kapiti), Poasa Poasa (Auckland), Manasseh Wineera (Johnsonville), Jamison Gibson-Park (Auckland),
Losses: Ma’a Nonu (France), Ben Tuitaua (Australia), Lucky Tuiatua (Marist St Pat’s), Afa Fa’atau (Blues), Liam Hallam-Eames (Manawatu), Pau Halafihi (Australia), Issac Marriner (Australia), Donal McNamara (retired)
Paremata-Plimmerton – Coach: Javan Brown
Gains: Nick De Ridder, James Corscoran (OBU), Simon Pearce, Ulutoto Malu, Grant Robson, Jeff Makapelu (Tawa), Asafo Faamafo (Tawa), Matt Nolan
Losses: None of note
Poneke – Coach: Shane Pihema
Gains: Isaia Walker-Leawere (Gisborne BHS, NZ Schools) Tevita Falekakala (Wellington), Jimmy Hewitt (Wellington College), Sam Fox (Scots College), Levi Harmon (Wairarapa College), Akira Natomi (Sannix Blues, Japan), Nick Robertson (Wairarapa Bush, 2015 NZ U19 Heartland XV)
Losses: Doug Jones (Retired), Kenny Anderson (Retired), Hennie Tui (Australia), Fale Seve (Now coaching Poneke Colts), Sam Johnson (UK), Max Murray (UK)
Petone – Coach: Dan Farani
Gains: Losi Filipo (St Pat’s Silverstream, NZ Schools), Bruce Kauika-Petersen (Wairarapa College), Ryota Kobayashi (Japan), Yamada Kazuki (Japan), Sosaia Tufui (Australia), Willie Fine (St Bernard’s College), James Twomey (England), Afi Tusa (Australia)
Losses: Sam McNichol (Hawke’s Bay), Nick Grigg (Scotland), Belgium Tuatagaloa (Samoa Sevens), Taiki Masuda (Japan), Masatoshi Nakamura (Japan), Logan Henry (Bay of Plenty), Josh Hrstich (Ireland), Tyral Vigne (Retired), Aleks Noble-Cambell (Injured), Tamati Samuels (Injured)
Tawa – Coach: Doug Fletcher
Gains: Kemera Hauiti-Parapara (Wellington College, NZ Schools), Sitiveni Paonga (Wellington College), Folau Vea (Tawa College), Elijah Va'a-Brooking (Tawa College), Paul Bickle (St Pat’s Town), Ben Aumua-Peseta (St Pat’s Town), Vili Dakunimata (Johnsonville), Peniasi Tokakece (MSP), Gains: Siaosi Mafi, Phillip Finau ,Mike Teofilo (all Norths)
Losses: Makapelu and Asafo Faamafo (Paremata-Plimmerton), Siaosi Mafi, Phillip Finau ,Mike Teofilo (Northern United), Taniela Koroi (Italy), James So’oialo (Wellington), Steven So’oialo (retired). Tu Umaga-Marshall, Derek Lelilafano (both Wainuiomata),
Upper Hutt Rams – Coach: Adam Campbell
Gains: Gabe Vuki, Josh Houston-Tupou (up from UHR Colts side and Wellington U19s hooker), Tama Leaf, Raymond Griebenauw, Corey workman, Piers Morell, Daniel Schrijvers (up from UHR Colts, Wellington 7s squad), Va’a Fiso, Kaide McCashin (up from UHR Colts, Wellington U19s halfback), Salesi Rayasi (outside back, out of St Pat’s Silverstream), Petara Rikiriki, Kahu Bishop-Waiwai, Sio Luamanu, EuanMcKirdy,
Losses: Tupeni Kamakorwera (HOBM), Jordan Simpson-Hefft (UK), Nua Fono-Hunt (season injury, during the National 7s early February), Murphy Taramai (North Harbour),
Wainuiomata – Coach: Justin Wilson
Gains: Jarimar Schuster, Peter Umaga Jensen (both Scots College), Tony Sukroo (Te Aroha Rugby League)Tu Umaga-Marshall , Derek Lelilafano (both Tawa), Waiariki Koia (Christchurch), Ben Tupuola (Injury), Michael Williams (back from work commitments), Daniel Cherry (out of retirement), Jalan Ferris (overseas)
Losses: Shale Tangianau (HOBM), Tyler Tane (Marist St Pat’s)
Wellington – Coach: Richard Deck
Gains: James So’oialo (Tawa), Jason Bird (Counties-Manukau), Alex Dazell (Canterbury), Eremia Tapsell (Canterbury), Dale Sabbargh (South Africa)
Losses: Hilton Mexted (Sydney), Ryan Saunders (Marist St Pat’s)