Coach Reon Graham has confirmed his Counties Manukau Steelers squad for the upcoming Bunnings Warehouse NPC competition and has once again rewarded club form.
A total of 12 players from McNamara Cup champions Karaka have been included in the squad, while runners-up Pukekohe contribute six players.
Super Rugby stars Ioane Moananu (Crusaders) and Zuriel Togiatama (Drua) headline the hookers in the squad, with Ardmore Marist youngster Nikolasi Muli and Karaka’s Sekope Moli providing cover.
The props see returning campaigners Suetena Asomua and Keran van Staden joined by Patumahoe’s Siate Taupaki, Pukekohe’s Junior Passi and Fijian star Emosi Tuqiri.
The locking stocks get some replenishment in the wake of Will Furniss’s unavailability and James Thompson’s move overseas.
Karaka’s Aukusitino Ulugia and Ardmore Marist’s Sione Takai are rewarded for their club form while Tom Martin makes the move into the region and Reegan Wheeler (Patumahoe) gets his first chance at this level.
Pukekohe’s Leo Ngatai-Tafau and Patumahoe’s Jimmy Tupou could see game time at lock or in the loose forward trio.
The latter is an area of strength for the Steelers with All Blacks Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu joined by club stars Adam Brash (Bombay), Alamanda Motuga (Ardmore Marist), Cam Church (Karaka) and rookie standout Jonty Short (Patumahoe).
Hard-working Pukekohe duo Semesa Saukuru and Te Rama Reuben have won selection on the back of their performances in leading Pukekohe to the grand final.
All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard heads a group of number nines that includes experienced Steelers player Jonathan Taumateine (Manurewa), newcomer Sam Wye (Karaka), and Cohen Brady-Leathem (Patumahoe).
Riley Hohepa (Patumahoe) returns to his home province after another Super Rugby season while AJ Alatimu (Ardmore Marist) and Josh Penney (Karaka) are other options to wear the number 10 jumper.
The midfield sees the return of sevens star Sione Molia as well as the return of the in-form Gibson Popoali’i, while the versatile Tevita Ofa (Manurewa) is likely to spend time in the position.
Rodney Tongotea earns a return to the Steelers after a brilliant club season.
Outside backs include try-scoring stars Josh Gray, Peniasi Malimali, Blake Makiri, Simon-Peter Toleafoa and the brilliant Etene Nanai-Seturo, who are all back for another season.
They are joined by youngsters Jackson Rainsford (Karaka) and Antonio Popoali’i (Patumahoe) while Andrew Malua will provide options at both fullback and first-five.
“As a group we are all excited for the year ahead, especially as we have the privilege of representing our proud union in our 70th anniversary,” Graham said.
“We have assembled a group of hard-working people that will wear the hoops with pride every week and once again we have several members of the squad that will potentially debut.”
The Steelers kick-off their NPC campaign with a road trip to play Hawke’s Bay on August 3 before a home opener on 10 against Bay of Plenty at Navigation Homes Stadium.
Counties Manukau Steelers 2025 squad
Forwards Suetena Asomua (Karaka) Adam Brash (Bombay) Cam Church (Karaka) Tom Martin (Onewhero) Ioane Moananu (Manurewa) Alamanda Motuga (Ardmore Marist) Leo Ngatai-Tafau (Pukekohe) Dalton Papali’i (Patumahoe) Junior Passi (Pukekohe) Jonty Short (Patumahoe) Hoskins Sotutu (Manurewa) Sione Takai (Ardmore Marist) Siate Taupaki (Patumahoe) Zuriel Togiatama (Ardmore Marist) Jimmy Tupou (Patumahoe) Emosi Tuqiri (Ardmore Marist) Aukusitino Ulugia (Karaka) Keran van Staden (Pukekohe) Ian West-Stevens (Pukekohe)*
Backs Josh Gray (Patumahoe) Riley Hohepa (Patumahoe) Blake Makiri (Manurewa) Peniasi Malimali (Karaka) Sione Molia (Karaka) Etene Nanai-Seturo (Karaka) Tevita Ofa (Manurewa) Gibson Popoali’i (Patumahoe) Jackson Rainsford (Karaka) Cam Roigard (Onewhero) Jonathan Taumateine (Manurewa) Simon-Peter Toleafoa (Patumahoe) Sam Wye (Karaka)
Extended Squad Members AJ Alatimu (Ardmore Marist) Cohen Brady-Leathem (Patumahoe) Fanoandrew Malua (Karaka) Sekope Moli (Karaka) Nikolasi Muli (Ardmore Marist) Josh Penney (Karaka) Antonio Popoali’i (Patumahoe) Te Rama Reuben (Pukekohe) Semesa Saukuru (Pukekohe) Rodney Tongotea (Karaka) Reegan Wheeler (Patumahoe)
*Unavailable due to injury.
