Twenty-three of the Tasman Mako men’s squad to contest the 2025 NPC have been named.
They are all returning after being fully-contracted during the previous season’s history-making campaign, a year in which the Mako men got their hands on the famed Ranfurly Shield for the first time and made the premiership play-offs.
Eleven backs are named and will provide the bulk of the Mako backline. Leading the way among a star-studded line-up are All Blacks David Havili, Finlay Christie, Noah Hotham, Will Jordan and Timoci Tavatavanawai. Joining them will be Super Rugby players Levi Aumua (Crusaders), William Havili (Moana Pasifika), Taine Robinson (Highlanders), Macca Springer (Crusaders) and Kyren Taumoefolau (Moana Pasifika), plus NZ Sevens rep Jack Gray.
The 12 forwards are also talent-laden, with several coming from within the championship-winning Crusaders ranks. All Blacks Tyrel Lomax and Ethan Blackadder will be joined by Fletcher Anderson (Crusaders), Ryan Coxon (Western Force), Sione Havili Talitui (Moana Pasifika), Sam Matenga (Crusaders), Quentin MacDonald (Central club), Monu Moli (Moana Pasifika), Sam Moli (Moana Pasifika), Antonio Shalfoon (Crusaders), Quinten Strange (Crusaders) and Kershawl Sykes Martin (Crusaders).
Obviously, members of the current and forthcoming All Blacks squads will have limited game time for Tasman, but there is certainly the depth of talent among the 23 named players to ensure head coach Gray Cornelius will have some highly experienced and classy operators to call on.
New signings and a full squad list will be released soon.
The Mako open their NPC season with a match against Bay of Plenty in Tauranga on Sunday August 3.