Super Rugby Pacific squads 2025: Blues, Hurricanes, Crusaders, Chiefs, Moana Pasifika and Highlanders
Super Rugby Pacific 2025 officially kicks off on 14 February next year, but squad naming day marks the unofficial start of the season as fans get their first look at how each team will line up.
The signing of the off season so far is undoubtedly Ardie Savea’s departure from the Hurricanes to move north and join his brother Julian at Moana Pasifika, while the Crusaders have signed former Wallaby James O’Connor for 2025- will there be any more surprises as the squads are announced?
Cameron McMillan
Fullback Payton Spencer, son of Blues legend Carlos, comes to the Blues after playing for the All Blacks Sevens side.
Spencer is the latest in a growing list of next-generation Blues players, with Caleb Clarke (son of Eroni) and Hoskins Sotutu (son of Waisake) two other current Blues players following in their father’s footsteps at the club.
Blues coach Vern Cotter:
Cameron McMillan
“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 Cotter.
“I’m looking forward to getting in with everyone, reconnecting and getting back to work. It will be good to get to know the new squad members and see what they’re all about.”
Cotter has a simple message for those new squad members coming in for pre-season.
“I want enthusiasm and for them to put their hand up,” he said.
“I enjoyed watching NPC this season and seeing the younger guys stepping up. Now it’s their time to come into the Blues and start pushing for spots.”
Blues 2025 squad:
Cameron McMillan
Props: Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Jordan Lay, Joshua Fusitu’a, PJ Sheck, Ben Ake
Hookers: Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, James Mullan
Locks: Laghlan McWhannell, Cameron Christie, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre
Loose forwards: Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Che Clark
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki
First five-eighths: Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Beauden Barrett
Midfielders: Xavi Taele, Corey Evans, Meihana Grindlay, Rieko Ioane
Outside backs: Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Payton Spencer, Reon Paul, Cole Forbes
In: Ake, Christie, Clark, Barrett, Taele, Spencer, Paul
Out: Soane Vikena, James Thompson, Akira Ioane, Rob Rush, Lucas Cashmore, Bryce Heem, Kade Banks, Caleb Tangitau
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph:
Cameron McMillan
Key retentions for the southerners include Folau Fakatava, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Ethan de Groot and Hugh Renton while tighthead prop Sosefo Kautai, loosehead prop Josh Bartlett and hooker Soane Vikena bolster the front row stocks.
Sevens and Under 20s representative Caleb Tangitau joins from the Blues.
“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.
“This region has a proud rugby history, and it’s our responsibility to make sure we honour that by playing with passion and commitment. We’re not just developing players on the field, but also people who represent the values of this community,” said Joseph.
Highlanders 2025 squad:
Cameron McMillan
Props: Ethan de Groot, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Bartlett, Saula Ma'u, Rohan Wingham, Sosefo Kautai
Hookers: Soane Vikena, Jack Taylor, Henry Bell
Locks: Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Oliver Haig
Loose forwards: Will Stodart, Sean Withy, TK Howden, Hayden Michaels, Nikora Broughton, Hugh Renton, Lui Naeata, Veveni Lasaqa
Halfbacks: Folau Fakatava, James Arscott, Nathan Hastie
First five-eighths: Cameron Millar, Ajay Faleafaga, Taine Robinson
Midfielders: Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Whaanga, Tanielu Tele'a, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Sam Gilbert
Outside backs:Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Michael Manson, Finn Hurley, Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau
In: Vikena, Kautai, Wingham, Bartlett, Stodart, Howden, Naeata, Lasaqa, Robinson, Whaanga, Manson, Hurley, Tangitau
Out: Jermaine Ainsley, Ayden Johnstone, Ricky Jackson, Will Tucker, Pari Pari Parkinson, Max Hicks, Billy Harmon, Tom Sanders, Rhys Patchell, Josh Timu, Martin Bogado
Moana Pasifika coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga:
Cameron McMillan
The team have made 14 new signings which includes players who have been elevated to full-time contracts.
"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.
"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."
Speedster Solomon Alaimalo makes his return to rugby union, joining the team after a stint with the Wests Tigers in the NRL.
The winger was born in Auckland and grew up in Canterbury. He made 47 appearances for the Chiefs before playing a short stint with the Highlanders.
Moana Pasifika 2025 squad:
Cameron McMillan
Props: Chris Apoua, Pone Fa'amausili, James Lay, Sione Mafileo, Abraham Pole, Tito Tuipulotu
Hookers: Tomasi Maka, Sama Malolo, Samiuela Moli
Locks: Allan Craig, Michael Curry, Samuel Slade, Tom Savage, Ofa Tauatevalu, Ola Tauelangi
Loose forwards: Miracle Faiilagi, Sione Havili Talitui, Lotu Inisi, Alamanda Motuga, Semisi Paea, Irie Papuni, Ardie Savea
Halfbacks: Aisea Halo, Melani Matavao, Jonathan Taumateine
First five-eighths: Jackson Garden-Bachop, William Havili, Patrick Pellegrini
Midfielders: Solomon Alaimalo, Fine Inisi, Laomilo Laomilo, Julian Savea
Outside backs: Losi Filipo, Neria Fomai, Pepesana Patafilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, Danny Toala, Tuna Tuitama
Ins: Alaimalo, Apoua, Filipo, Garden-Bachop, Pellegrini, Fa'amausili, Savea, Tuipulotu, Tuitama
Outs: Donald Brighthouse, Suetena Asomua, Ereatara Enari, Viliami Fine, Solomone Funaki, Sekope Kepu, Sateki Latu, D’Angelo Leuila, Christian Lealiifano, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Nigel Ah Wong, Otumaka Mausia, Henry Taefu, Viliami Napa’a, Anzelo Tuitavuki
Cameron McMillan
Despite rumours of a potential code-swap to the NRL, Shaun Stevenson has been named in the Chiefs' squad for 2025.
A player who has made the switch to the 13-man code is Tyrone Thomspon who has joined his twin brother Leo at the Newcastle Knights.
Cohesion and consistency from coach Clayton McMillan:
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks XV and Crusaders hooker Brodie McAlister and Brumbies loose forward Jahrome Brown are two of just five new additions for the beaten 2024 finalists.
“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,” said McMillan.
Chiefs 2025 squad:
Cameron McMillan
Props: Sione Ahio, George Dyer, Ollie Norris, Reuben O'Neill, Jared Proffit, Aidan Ross
Hookers: Brodie McAlister, Bradley Slater, Samisoni Taukei'aho
Locks: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Fiti Sa, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jimmy Tupou, Tupou Vaa'i
Loose forwards: Kaylum Boshier, Jahrome Brown, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (captain), Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Malachi Wrampling
Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Xavier Roe, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
First five-eighths: Josh Jacomb, Damian McKenzie, Kaleb Trask
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Gideon Wrampling
Outside backs: Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
In: McAlister, Sa, Brown, Carter, Jacomb
Out: Kauvaka Kaivelata, Tyrone Thompson, Tom Florence, Josh Ioane, Peniasi Malimali
Dunedin rugby player banned for four years
Cameron McMillan
A Dunedin-based rugby player has been banned for four years after admitting purchasing performance-enhancing drugs.
Crusaders coach Rob Penney on Scott Barrett relinquishing captaincy:
Cameron McMillan
"Yeah, look, history would say it's gonna be too challenging for him to do both jobs.
"You know, it's a big ask doing the All Black job. So highly likely we'll be moving to another person to captain the group."
Penney said it was unlikely a decision would be made until post-Christmas.
"We already had the discussion with Scooter [Barrett] and so we'll move ahead with that after Christmas."
Penney confirmed co-captaincy was an option.
Crusaders 2025 squad:
Cameron McMillan
Props: Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Finlay Brewis, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Seb Calder.
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Ioane Moananu, George Bell.
Locks: Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon.
Loose forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Corey Kellow, Dominic Gardiner, Flectcher Anderson, Xavier Saifoloi.
Halfbacks: Mitchell Drummond, Kyle Preston, Noah Hotham.
First five-eighths: Rivez Riehana, James O'Connor, Taha Kemara.
Midfielders: Dallas McLeod, David Havili, Levui Aumua, Brayden Ennor.
Outside backs: Aki Tuivailala, Johnny McNicholl, Macca Springer, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan.
In: Sykes-Martin, Calder, Shalfoon, Anderson, Saifoloi, Preston, O'Connor, Ennor, McNicholl, Tuivailala.
Out: Moody, Franks, McAlister, Gallagher, Heinz, Burke, Crotty, Rova, Murray, Mataele and Halfpenny.
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw:
Cameron McMillan
After making their international debuts against Japan, Ruben Love and Peter Lakai bolster the number of current All Blacks in the squad to seven, lining up alongside nine new signings and a returning Hurricane in the form of Riley Hohepa.
“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.”
“Kade Banks and Lucas Cashmore are the perfect example of this. They might be young players, but they’re coming in from the Blues with experience in a Super Rugby environment. They’ve both had cracking NPC seasons, and they fit how we want to play the game," said Laidlaw.
The Hurricanes open the season away against the Crusaders on the 14 February 2025.
Hurricanes 2025 Super Rugby Pacific squad:
Cameron McMillan
Props: Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu
Locks: Tom Allen, Caleb Delany, Zach Gallagher, Josh Taula, Will Tucker, Isaia Walker-Leawere
Loose forwards: Devon Flanders, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Arese Poliko, Brad Shields
Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Ereatara Enari, Jordi Viljoen
First five-eighths: Brett Cameron, Lucas Cashmore, Riley Hohepa
Midfielders: Billy Proctor, Riley Higgins, Ngane Punivae, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen
Outside backs: Kade Banks, Tjay Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Harry Godfrey, Ruben Love, Kini Naholo, Daniel Sinkinson
In: Tom Allen, Kade Banks, Lucas Cashmore, Tjay Clarke, Ereatara Enari, Fehi Fineanganofo, Zach Gallagher, Riley Hohepa, Arese Poliko, Will Tucker
Out: Jordie Barrett, Ben Grant, TK Howden, Richard Judd, Josh Moorby, Aidan Morgan, James O’Reilly, TJ Perenara, Salesi Rayasi, Justin Sangster, Ardie Savea, James Tucker
Cameron McMillan
Six-team playoffs, more Sunday footy
Cameron McMillan
Changes are coming to Super Rugby Pacific.
Cameron McMillan
One of the major off-field stories of the Super Rugby offseason is the development that the Rebels are seeking “significant damages” from Rugby Australia in a lawsuit launched after the club was dissolved by the governing body.
Cameron McMillan
Kia ora, hello and welcome to the Super Rugby Pacific 2025 squad naming - each New Zealand team will announce their squad today.
Will Toogood is an online sports editor and golf reporter for the NZ Herald. He enjoys watching people chase a ball around on a grass surface so much he decided to make a living out of it.