Senita Lauaki has been named in the Highlanders wider training group.
Waipā connected players are once again scattered across the Pacific following the 2026 Super Rugby squad namings last week.
Hautapu back Manasa Mataele will play for his fourth Super Rugby franchise next season. Photo: Matt Gould
There are 12 players and coaching staff with Hautapu connections, eight Te Awamutu Sports alumni, one for Ōhaupō and arguably New Zealand’s best halfback, Karāpiro-raised Cam Roigard.
Four-test Flying Fijian Manasa Mataele has transferred from the Chiefs to the Fijian Drua after spending a season at Hautapu.
He has previously played for the Crusaders and Western Force. He now links up with one of Te Awamutu’s favourite sons Chris Gibbes, part of the Drua coaching staff.
Te Awamutu Sports’ Austin Anderson will once again kit up for the Brumbies in Canberra.
Highlanders rep Tai Cribb in action for Te Awamutu Sports in 2023. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
The rest of the players are spread around New Zealand. Chris’ younger brother Jono Gibbes has named plenty of Waipā connected players in his first Chiefs squad.
In his coaching box, he also has former Hautapu reps Marty Bourke and Liam Messam.
After an impressive debut NPC season with Waikato, rangy Hautapu lock Dylan Eti returns to the Chiefs having previously been incorporated as a NDC (national development contract) player earlier this year.
Fellow Cambridge clubmates at the franchise are the All Blacks trio of Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson and Ollie Norris. Former Hautapu forward Simon Parker, fresh off an All Blacks start, also returns next season. Leroy Carter, son of club stalwart Chris, will prepare for his second season in Super Rugby.
Hurricanes back Josh Moorby as a youngster for Te Awamutu Sports in 2017. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
Hautapu tall-timber Laghlan McWhannell is again up State Highway 1 at the Blues to be joined by former clubmate Bradley Slater.
Senita Lauaki has been called to the deep south for a Highlanders wider training group contract. He will hope to follow in his late brother Sione’s footsteps and appear at Super Rugby level.
St Peter’s old boy Cam Roigard will continue his reign in the Hurricanes nine jersey.
One-cap Ōhaupō representative Ngane Punivai remains at the Hurricanes too after an NPC title winning season alongside Mataele at Canterbury.
In Te Awamutu, Sports will be celebrating the return of Josh Moorby to the Wellington franchise. Hurricane No. 290 is back following a season in France with Top 14 club Montpellier.
“It’s an exciting time of the year when the final squad gets announced and we start to look forward to bringing the players back in,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.
Taha Kemara has been retained at the Crusaders following a season ending knee injury. He is signed until the end of 2028.
Former Sports men Tai Cribb (Highlanders), Antonio Shalfoon (Crusaders) and Malachi Wrampling (Blues) also get another super shot in 2026.
Senita Lauaki has been named in the Highlanders wider training group. Photo: Matt Gould
