Wellington Lions name squad for 2024 Bunnings Warehouse NPC season

Mills Albert Wellington Lions Head Coach Alando Soakai has unveiled his squad for the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse NPC season. Soakai has selected a formidable lineup poised for a strong campaign.

The forward pack provides a wealth of experienced players, including seasoned Loosies, Brad Shields, Du’Plessis Kirifi and exciting talent, Peter Lakai. 

The squad features a versatile backline, including young up and comer Stanley Solomon, fresh off the back of the U20s World Championship in South Africa. Star midfielder, Matt Proctor, returns to the squad after an overseas stint playing in England and Australia.  

The strength of Wellington club rugby shines through across the squad, with five players selected for the first time off the back of the club season.

For the first time, the Lions welcome two players from the Japan Rugby League One competition. Loosehead Props, Yota Kamimori and Kazuki Kato join the side following a stellar season with the Kubota Spears Tokyo Bay Funabashi.

Wellington Lions 2024 Squad:

• Leni Apisai - Paremata-Plimmerton
• Asafo Aumua - Avalon
• Tjay Clarke - Petone
• Bradley Crichton – Northern United
• Caleb Delany – Old Boys University
• Losi Filipo - Petone
• Jackson Garden-Bachop – Northern United
• Sione Halalilo – Oriental-Rongotai
• Callum Harkin – Old Boys University
• Riley Higgins - Petone
• Akira Ieremia - Tawa
• Yato Kamimori - Kubota Spears Tokyo Bay
• Kazuki Kato - Kubota Spears Tokyo Bay
• Du’Plessis Kirifi – Northern United
• Peter Lakai - Petone
• Siale Lauaki - Tawa
• Ruben Love - Wainuiomata
• Mitch Mcleod – Old Boys University
• Xavier Numia – Oriental – Rongotai
• James O’Reilly – Hutt Old Boys Marist
• Pepesana Patafilo - Tawa
• Teofilo Paulo - Hutt Old Boys Marist
• TJ Perenara – Northern United
• Hugo Plummer - Tawa
• Penieli Poasa – Oriental-Rongotai
• Harry Press – Hutt Old Boys Marist
• Kyle Preston – Old Boys University
• Billy Proctor – Marist St Pats
• Matt Proctor – Oriental-Rongotai
• Dominic Ropeti – Oriental-Rongotai
• Senio Sanele – Upper Hutt Rams
• Ardie Savea – Oriental-Rongotai
• Julian Savea – Oriental-Rongotai
• PJ Sheck - Tawa
• Brad Shields - Petone
• Stanley Solomon - Petone
• Peter Umaga-Jenson - Wainuiomata