A Tasman Mako men’s squad of 39 has been named to contest the forthcoming Bunnings Warehouse NPC campaign.
The team is once again a potent mix of club and Super Rugby players, the selectors opting for a balance of youth and experience, size and guile.
Nine current or former All Blacks are included in the mix – namely Mitchell Drummond, Ethan Blackadder, Noah Hotham, David Havili, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Shannon Frizzell, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan and Tyrel Lomax - although it is unlikely the latter two will play any part in the NPC campaign as they are already in the current All Blacks squad and likely to be chosen for the South Africa trip.
The return of 32-year-old Frizzell is a bonus, the 33-test All Black backrower who has been playing in Japan since 2023 is set to form an exciting loose forward combination with Blackadder and, when he returns from injury, perhaps Fainga’anuku.
Several players who impressed during the Super Rugby season have been named, including two young guns, midfielder Cooper Roberts and hooker Eli Oudenryn, who made their debuts this year for the Crusaders and Blues respectively. Chiefs’ winger Kyren Taumoefolau was a standout, as was Crusaders’ loosie Johnny Lee, while the reliable Antonio Shalfoon again proved a workhorse for the Crusaders.
Twenty-two of the initial 35-strong squad from 2025 return, several players who featured in the Tasman Trophy club competition earning a chance, players such as the Marist duo of livewire winger Nic Sauira and halfback Wil Thornalley.
Among the new faces in the forward pack are Queensland Reds' hooker Richie Asiata, ACT Brumbies' backrower Rory Scott and NZ under-20 lock Jake Frost, who is Canterbury-based.
The team will be coached by Jono Phillips, with assistance from Tom Marshall, Quentin MacDonald, Greg Fleming and Wyatt Crockett.
The 2026 Tasman Mako men’s NPC side:
Forwards: Richie Asiata, Ethan Blackadder, Ryan Coxon, Lopeti Faifua, Shannon Frizzell, Jake Frost, Tayne Hemopo, Tom Heywood, Dylan Irvine, Johnny Lee, Hunter Leppien, Tyrel Lomax, Matthew Lowe, Sione Mafi, Lavengamonu Moli, Eli Oudenryn, Rory Scott, Antonio Shalfoon, Vae Taumoefolau.
Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Cooper Grant, Jack Gray, William Havili, David Havili, Noah Hotham, Will Jordan, Mason Lund, Maloni Kunawave, Cooper Roberts, Taine Robinson, Nic Sauira, Macca Springer, Kyren Taumoefolau, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Wil Thornalley.
Sam Matenga and Finlay Christie have also been named in the squad but are currently recovering from medical treatment and expected to be out for much of the season.
