Wellington’s top premier rugby players will be in action again this post-season, with the three-week Festival of Rugby tournament returning for its third installment.
The tournament, first introduced in 2014 is designed to provide further representative opportunities for those guys playing well at club level, and is made up of a Wellington Samoan and Wellington Maori team, along with the Wellington Barbarian, and Under 19 sides.
This year sees a slight change in format, with the City and Suburbs teams combined into the one Barbarians side, and the introduction of the Wellington Under 19’s to the tournament.
Marist St Pats will have 15 players involved in the tournament including five in the Under 19 side. The full squads are:
Wellington Barbarians
Sheridan Rangihuna (HOBM), Anthony Pettett (Johnsonville), Valentine Meachen, Isaac O’Connor, Nemani Waka (MSP), Finbarr Kerr Newell, Morgan Poi, Will Mangos, Teegan Minkley (Old Boys University), Kane Leaupepe, Luke Taualupe (Oriental-Rongotai), Blake Neve (Paremata-Plimmerton), Piri Paraone (Petone), Joe Scheres, Pakai Turia (Poneke), Lotu Nuku, Pepesana Patafilo, Faraimo Nofoaiga (Tawa), Vern Sosefo, Mitch Markov, Salesi Rayasi (Upper Hutt Rams), Haamea Ahio, Waiariki Koia, Marvin Karawana, Mike Lealava’a (Wainuiomata), Alex Dalzell, Sam Gardner, Adam Deck, Matt Goosen, Paddy Hughes, James Sooialo (Wellington)
Wellington Maori
Ryan Nepia (Avalon), Mykel Herewini (Johnsonville), Declan Hay (MSP), TK Bishop (Northern United), Jonathon Fuimaono, Hamuera Baker, Manahi Moana, Luke Harvey (Old Boys University), Whetu Henry, Louis Karl, Tuakana Metuarau, Andy Ellis (Oriental-Rongotai), Apirana McMillan-Parata (Paremata-Plimmerton), Marcus Roil, Luke Flett, Taurima Morris (Petone), Jarrod Burnett, Greg Mullany (Poneke), Hemi Fermanis, TJ Fermanis, Randall Bishop (Tawa), Apanui Heemi, Tama Leaf, Max Pearson (Upper Hutt Rams), John Monu (Wainuiomata)
Wellington Samoan
Simon Malaeulu, Lise Soloa, Ope Peleseuma, Tomasi Alosio (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Matt Peni, Josh To'omaga, Pago Haini, Ken Kapeli, Fa'atonu Fili, Isaia Petelo, Ryan Setefano (Marist St Pats), Phillip Finau (Northern United), Junior Makapelu (Old Boys University), Poasa Poasa, Steve Fa'atau, Nu'uuli Lene, Fiu Gibbons, Tutasi Masoe, Paulo Aukuso, Aukuso Tuitama, Tuga Mativa (Oriental-Rongotai), Milo Va'a (Petone), Galu Taufale, Joe Fiu (Poneke), Tito Ioane, Tavita Logovae (Tawa), Joyner Key (Upper Hutt Rams), Anthony Mamea, Tau Mamea, Josh Robertson-Weepu (Wainuiomata), Ahtun Masun (Wellington)
Wellington Under 19
Asafo Aumua, Jordan King Avalon (Avalon), Ben Power (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Kerrod Foaese, Regan Sword, Willie Schutz, Ivan Fepuleai, Nese Solia (Marist St Pats), James Williams, Alex Ropeti, Maile Koloto, Jack Smith Ballingall, Paterson Carter (Old Boys University), Penieli Poasa, John Tuia, Alex Fidow, Malachai Unasa-Knox (Oriental-Rongotai), Jahred Seumanutafa (Northern United), Lester Maulolo, Losi Filipo, Wille Fine, Bruce Kauika-Peterson (Petone), Levi Harmon, Sam Fox, Jimmy Hewitt, Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke), Elijah Va'a Brooking, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Ben Aumua-Peseta, Folau Vea, Sitiveni Paongo, Paul Bickle (Tawa), Josh Brown (Upper Hutt Rams), Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jarimar Schuster (Wainuiomata)
2016 Festival of Rugby Schedule
Sat 13 Aug Wellington Maori v Wellington Under 19
Wellington Barbarians v Wellington Samoans
Sat 20 Aug Wellington Samoans v Wellington Under 19
Wellington Maori v Wellington Barbarians
Sat 27 Aug Wellington Maori v Wellington Samoans
All matches at 1pm, Petone Recreation Ground
