The six New Zealand-based Super Rugby Pacific franchises have confirmed their squads for the 2025 season.
While most major off-season signings had already been announced, there were some interesting new additions across the 229 players revealed on social media throughout the day on Tuesday.
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The defending champion Blues added Wellington prop PJ Check, Waikato lock Laghlan McWhannell, Bay of Plenty fullback Cole Forbes and Payton Spencer, the son of Blues legend Carlos Spencer, who is also part of the All Blacks Sevens set-up.
The regular season champion Hurricanes have welcomed back Counties Manukau first-five Riley Hohepa from the Crusaders, while outside backs, North Harbour's Kade Banks and Bay of Plenty's Lucas Cashmore add some speed on the outside.
While the Crusaders, who missed the playoffs in 2024 in an uncharacteristic down season, have largely promoted from their Academy, they have picked up Wellington halfback Kyle Preston and Waikato outside back Aki Tuivailala and loose forward Xavier Saifoloi.
The Chiefs, last season's beaten finalists, have added experience in the forward pack through Canterbury hooker Brodie McAlister and ACT Brumbies loose forward Jahrome Brown, while also offering full-time contracts to All Blacks XV first-five Josh Jacomb and former All Blacks Sevens star Leroy Carter.
Needing plenty of help, the Highlanders opted for veterans to shore up their front row stocks, along with Maori All Black TK Howden in the forwards, and some young faces in Auckland wing Caleb Tangitau, another ABs Sevens recruit, and Tasman first-five Taine Robinson in the backs.
Moana Pasifika brought in speedster Solomon Alaimalo, who has previously played for the Chiefs and Highlanders, following a stint in the NRL with the Wests Tigers, and gave dynamic Marlborough back and Tongan international Kyren Taumoefolau all full-time contract.
BLUES CHASING BACK-TO-BACK
Seven players have landed full-time contracts with the Blues for the first time in a squad that features more than two-thirds of the squad made up of players who were developed from within the Blues region.
Four forwards pick up their first contracts: hooker James Mullan, lock Cameron Christie and loose forward Che Clark, while prop Ben Ake graduates from the Blues wider squad.
In the backs, utility Reon Paul joins from Bay of Plenty, with versatile midfielder Xavi Taele promoted after training with the Blues last pre-season and impressing for Auckland in the NPC.
Familiar face, All Blacks first-five Beauden Barrett, bolsters the Blues backline, returning to the club after a stint in Japan with Toyota Verblitz. Bryce Heem is one glaring omission from the class of ’25, a wrist injury ruling him out of the entire season.
“I think we’ll start ahead of where we were last season, we can take the results and experience gained last time round and build on it this year,” said Blues head coach Vern Cotter.
BLUES SQUAD
Forwards
Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Angus Ta'avao, Marcel Renata, Jordan Lay, Joshua Fusitu'a, PJ Sheck, Ben Ake, Ricky Riccitelli, Kurt Eklund, James Mullan, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Laghlan McWhannell, Cameron Christie, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Cameron Suafoa, Anton Segner, Che Clark
Backs
Sam Nock, Finlay Christie, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, Harry Plummer, Stephen Perofeta, Rieko Ioane, Corey Evans, Meihana Grindlay, Xavi Taele, Mark Tele'a, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan, Cole Forbes, Payton Spencer, Reon Paul
COHESIVE CHIEFS READY TO RETURN
The stable and deep Chiefs made the fewest additions of the six New Zealand-based squads, with just five, and two of them - McAlister and Brown - bring with them 90 Super Rugby caps to the forward pack.
“The obvious thing is that there is a lot of consistency in the selection of the group,” said Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan.
“I’m a big believer in cohesion. So, having guys that have played together for a while and experienced the highs and lows together. They learn and then create opportunities in the new season to put those learnings into practice and go one step further.”
Familiar talents have also been offered their first full-time Super Rugby contracts: World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year nominee Carter, Taranaki first-five Jacomb and New Zealand Under-19s and Taranaki lock Fiti Sa.
The trio are all familiar with the Chiefs environment, with Carter and Jacomb previously part of the wider training squad, and Sa having been on a National Development Contract (NDC) with the Chiefs for the past two years.
CHIEFS SQUAD
Forwards
Aidan Ross, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Reuben O'Neill, Jared Proffit, Sione Ahio, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Bradley Slater, Brodie McAlister, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Josh Lord, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jimmy Tupou, Fiti Sa, Luke Jacobson (captain), Samipeni Tupou, Kaylum Boshier, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Jahrome Brown, Malachi Wrampling
Backs
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Cortez Ratima, Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Kaleb Trask, Josh Jacomb, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Gideon Wrampling, Shaun Stevenson, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Emoni Narawa, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Leroy Carter
CRUSADERS CHASING REDEMPTION
After last season's failure, head coach Rob Penney has named a Crusaders squad featuring eight new full-time players, along with a hosts of returning current and former All Blacks.
First-five still looms as the big question mark, with veteran former Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor currently the No 1 option, with Waikato's Rivez Reihana and Waikato’s Taha Kemara in the mix.
Forwards Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Antonio Shalfoon, Seb Calder and Fletcher Anderson have all made their Super Rugby debuts in the red and black, and earned promotion from the Crusaders Academy pathway.
Penney has confirmed All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett will not captain the Crusaders in 2025, with the new leader yet to be confirmed.
"We’ve got a great group, and all the coaches are looking forward to getting our hands on them and preparing together,” said Penney. “There is fantastic depth there, and a great mix of experience and youthful energy coming through."
CRUSADERS SQUAD
Forwards
Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Finlay Brewis, George Bower, Codie Taylor, Ioane Moananu, George Bell, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Seb Calder, Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Corey Kellow, Dominic Gardner, Fletcher Anderson, Xavier Saifoloi
Backs
Mitchell Drummond, Noah Hotham, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Rivez Reihana, Taha Kemara, Dallas McLeod, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Braydon Ennor, Aki Tuivailala, Johnny McNicholl, Macca Springer, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
REBUILD CONTINUES FOR HIGHLANDERS
Returning head coach Jamie Joseph named a Highlanders squad light on genuine star power but high on potential, featuring 12 new players.
Experienced Super Rugby players such as tighthead prop Sosefo Kautai (Chiefs, Brumbies) loosehead prop Josh Bartlett (Chiefs, Western Force) and hooker Soane Vikena (Blues) will bolster the front row stocks.
Along with Howden, Bay of Plenty livewire Veveni Lasaqa and Lui Naeta, who has played most of his first-class rugby in Japan, have been added to the loose forward mix, but are untried at Super Rugby level.
Southland Stags wing Michael Manson has earned a full-time contract but may struggle for playing time with Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jona Nareki already in the squad.
“We have a squad full of talented and motivated players, and we know that the fans in Dunedin and across the region are looking forward to seeing this team grow and perform on the field," said Joseph.
HIGHLANDERS SQUAD
Forwards
Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland, Hayden Michaels, Henry Bell, Hugh Renton, Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Lui Naeata, Mitch Dunshea, Nikora Broughton, Oliver Haig, Rohan Wingham, Saula Mau, Sean Withy, Sefo Kautai, Soane Vikena, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Will Stodart
Backs
Ajay Faleafaga, Caleb Tangitau, Cam Millar, Finn Hurley, Folau Fakatava, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Jake Te Hiwi, James Arscott, Jona Nareki, Jonah Lowe, Josh Whaanga, Michael Manson, Nathan Hastie, Sam Gilbert, Taine Robinson, Tanielu Tele'a, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Timoci Tavatavanawai
GAME READINESS AND MATURITY FOR CANES
Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw emphasised game readiness and maturity as key in building his squad.
“We’ve been really intentional in seeking out players that tie into our team model and how we want to play the game. These are men that have a great deal of maturity on and off the field. They’re coming into our environment and they’re ready to play Super Rugby.”
The Canes' 39-strong squad includes seven current All Blacks, including recent debutants Ruben Love and Peter Lakai, along with nine new signings and one returning Hurricane in Riley Hohepa.
Banks and Cashmore had outstanding NPC seasons and join having spent time in the Blues environment, while another top NPC performer, loose forward Arese Poliko impressed with the Southland Stags and Taranaki.
With first-five Brett Cameron facing a lengthy rehab for an ACL injury, Hohepa returns to the Capital after a season with the Crusaders. Two South Island locks also make the move north, Will Tucker (Otago) and Zach Gallagher (Canterbury).
HURRICANES SQUAD
Forwards
Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu, Tom Allen, Caleb Delany, Zach Gallagher, Josh Taula, Will Tucker, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Arese Poliko, Brad Shields
Backs
Ereatara Enari, Cam Roigard, Jordi Viljoen, Brett Cameron, Lucas Cashmore, Riley Hohepa, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Kade Banks, Tjay Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Harry Godfrey, Ruben Love, Kini Naholo, Daniel Sinkinson, Ngani Punivai
NEW DAWN FOR MOANA PASIFIKA
Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga stated the team wanted to “bust the door open” in 2025, naming a strong core group of players from 2024.
The team have made 14 new signings, with one half elevated to full-time contracts and the other players new to the Moana Pasifika environment, including All Blacks No 8 Ardie Savea.
“It’s exciting, we’ve got a new group of players and a new group of staff coming on board in 2025 for Moana Pasifika. I think the caliber of all these people is going to lift Moana Pasifika from where we’ve been,” Umaga said.
Beside Alaimalo and Taumoefolau, Moana Pasifika also signed Wallabies prop Pone Fa'amausili and bring back foundation player, front rower Chris Apoua, up front.
“The likes of Ardie Savea, Pone Fa’amausili, Solomon Alaimalo, Jackson Garden-Bachop. These guys who are experienced in Super Rugby will add to the experience we’ve already got that took us to where we got to last year."
MOANA PASIFIKA SQUAD
Forwards
Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, James Lay, Pone Fa'amausili, Sione Mafileo, Tito Tuipulotu, Sama Malolo, Samiuela Moli, Tomasi Maka, Allan Craig, Michael Curry, Ofa Tauatevalu, Ola Tauelangi, Samuel Slade, Tom Savage, Alamanda Motuga, Ardie Savea, Irie Papuni, Lotu Inisi, Miracle Faiilagi, Sione Havili Talitui, Semisi Paea
Backs
Aisea Halo, Jonathan Taumateine, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Patrick Pellegrini, William Havili, Fine Inisi, Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Solomon Alaimalo, Danny Toala, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lose Filipo, Neria Fomai, Pepesana Patafilo, Tuna Tuitama