Following a tense National Under 85kg Club Cup final over the weekend, NZ Rugby (NZR) has named the second ever national selection. 10 players from the final have made the team, with six of those from the 2025 Champions, High School Old Boys Light Bears.
NZR's Head of Rugby Participation Mike Hester said that naming this squad is an exciting end to an historic season for weight grade rugby.
"It's been a busy year for Under 85kg rugby. In the first half of the year, we successfully toured Sri Lanka, lifting the Sir Graham Henry Trophy after two wins over the Tuskers. Back home, 42 teams from across the country competed for the National Club Cup over the last ten weeks, with an epic final being held at Eden Park on Saturday."
Pasia Asiata runs the ball for the New Zealand Under 85kg v Sri Lanka Tuskers, Race Course Grounds, Colombo. Photo: Lahiru Harshana/ActionPress
The National Club Cup final was a curtain-raiser to the Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park, featuring the Light Bears against the Pōneke Wanderers. HSOB, finalists for the third consecutive year and champions in 2023, took the result 24-19 after spirited display by Pōneke.
"It was a gutsy game from both teams. Pōneke started strong and showed a lot of flair. HSOB dug deep to avenge last year's heartbreak and came home strong. There were standout performances in both teams, which made selections that much harder," said Hester.
The selection features six new players, including HSOB flanker Josh Evans. The Invercargill native joined HSOB this season as he thought this may be his best chance to make the team and flew to Christchurch for trainings and games.
In all, 11 teams, 10 clubs, and seven provincial unions are represented in the squad.
NZR are currently in discussions with another National Union about an overseas tour for the national side in 2026, with a return to Sri Lanka a strong possibility. Both matches on this year's tour were played in front of packed stadiums in Kandy and Colombo, with the Sri Lankan public eager to welcome the first NZ representative side to the country in 70 years.
"Weight restricted rugby is growing in popularity, especially in regions looking to broaden participation and retain players who might be overlooked in traditional formats," said Hester.
"We are excited about the opportunity to tour again and promote this fast-paced version of the game we love so that other Unions may give it a go too."
NZ Under 85kg National Side squad
Forwards
Callum Nimmo - High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury
Matt Treeby - Poneke Wanderers, Wellington
Tom Rowland - Eden Lizards, Auckland
Frazer Harrison - University Squids, Auckland
Jeandre Du Toit - Pakuranga Panthers, Auckland
Simon Sia - Morrinsville Majestic Pukekos, Waikato
Oliver Dunn-Parrant* - Silverdale Truffle Pigs, North Harbour
Jack Laity - University Slugs, Auckland
Rory Cavanagh - Pakuranga Panthers, Auckland
Billy Sloan* - High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury
Bailey Clark* - Waihora Longhorns, Canterbury
Pasia Asiata - Pōneke Wanderers, Wellington
Josh Purdon - High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury
Josh Gellert - University Slugs, Auckland
Josh Evans* - High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury
Sunia Vosikata* - Karaka Razzlers, Counties Manukau
Backs
Jackson Ephraims - Silverdale Truffle Pigs, North Harbour
Taine Cordell Hull - High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury
Jarred Percival - High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury
Toby Snelgrove* - Silverdale Truffle Pigs, North Harbour
Adam Preston - Pōneke Wanderers, Wellington
Campbell Busby - University Squids, Auckland
Mafea Taiulu Feso* - High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury
Nick Robertson* - Pōneke Wanderers, Wellington
Ben Kelt* - University Squids, Auckland
Ned Milne - High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury
Francis Morrison - Pakuranga Panthers, Auckland
Pieter Swarts - East Coast Bays Badgers, North Harbour
Reserve players
Seamus Rowberry* - Pōneke Wanderers, Wellington
Nick Francis* - Silverdale Truffle Pigs, North Harbour
*New cap.
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