A number of new players have been named in the Counties Manukau Steelers squad for the upcoming NPC season with club form once again at the forefront of selection.
Coach Reon Graham has retained a core of the side that have gone to back-to-back quarter-final appearances in the past two seasons while also dealing with the loss of high-profile players Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu and Etene Nanai-Seturo overseas.
Added to that loss is the departure of Pukekohe prop forward Keran van Staden to Japan.
On the flip side is the elevation of a number of new players from the club scene after a highly competitive McNamara Cup season.
Vainikolo Fifita, Tom Polo and Ezekiel Lindenmuth return in the front row while former All Black Atu Moli will be a big inclusion after he joined club side Karaka this year.
Also making his Steelers debut is young Ardmore Marist prop Kurene Luamanuvae while Pukekohe’s Jarred Adams, makes a return to the squad after outstanding club form.
Ioane Moananu and Ian West-Stevens are back at the hooker position.
At lock, the return of veteran skipper Jimmy Tupou and Ardmore Marist’s Sione Takai are bolstered by the addition of Tongan international Veikoso Poloniati, Moana Pasifika representative Ola Tauelangi and ex-Waikato rep Joshua Balme.
Cam Church, Adam Brash, Jonty Short and Alamanda Motuga all return at loose forward – an area of strength for the Steelers. They are joined by talented Manurewa youngster Joey Taumateine (injured) and Karaka skipper Aporosa Vuniyayawa.
All Blacks star Cam Roigard headlines the halfbacks with incumbents Jonathan Taumateine and Cohen Brady-Leathem coming back. Ardmore Marist’s Melani Matavao is rewarded for a superb club season.
AJ Alatimu and Jackson Rainsford return as the likely first-five options while the midfield looks solid too with the return of Gibson Popoali’i, Tevita Ofa and the inclusion of Samoan international Tuna Tuitama on the back of club form for Karaka.
There is versatility among the outside backs with Peniasi Malimali, Blake Makiri, Josh Gray, Simon-Peter Toleafoa, Antonio Popoali’i and Sione Molia all returning. Impressive Patumahoe speedster Adam Morrison earns a call-up, as does club teammate Tim Brady.
“I’m really excited with the group we have assembled this season, and I can’t wait to get to work with everyone,” Graham said.
“We have a really balanced squad and despite losing so much talent offshore I am really encouraged with the amount of talent we have to work with here.
“We look forward to a season where we make our supporters and community proud.”
2026 Steelers Squad
Jarred Adams (Pukekohe) AJ Alatimu (Ardmore Marist) Joshua Balme (Onewhero) Tim Brady (Patumahoe) Cohen Brady-Leathem (Patumahoe) Adam Brash (Bombay) Cam Church (Karaka) Vainikolo Fifita (Karaka) Josh Gray (Ardmore Marist) Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Ardmore Marist) Kurene Luamanuvae (Ardmore Marist) Blake Makiri (Manurewa) Peniasi Malimali (Karaka) Melani Matavao (Ardmore Marist) Ioane Moananu (Manurewa) Atu Moli (Karaka) Sione Molia (Karaka) Adam Morrison (Patumahoe) Alamanda Motuga (Ardmore Marist) Tevita Ofa (Manurewa) Tom Polo (Bombay) Veikoso Poloniati (Patumahoe) Antonio Popoali’i (Ardmore Marist) Gibson Popoali’i (Ardmore Marist) Jackson Rainsford (Karaka) Cam Roigard (Onewhero) Jonty Short (Patumahoe) Sione Takai (Ardmore Marist) Joey Taumateine (Manurewa) Jonathan Taumateine (Manurewa) Simon-Peter Toleafoa (Ardmore Marist) Ola Tauelangi (Patumahoe) Tuna Tuitama (Karaka) Jimmy Tupou (Patumahoe) Aporosa Vuniyayawa (Karaka) Ian West-Stevens (Pukekohe)
Extended Squad Members
Tomasi Alosio (Ardmore Marist)\ Austin Atiga (Manurewa) Malcolm Fa’avela (Manurewa) Olive Lam-Yuen (Ardmore Marist) Stanley Liufau (Patumahoe) Rico McQuoid (Pukekohe) Josh Penney (Karaka) Boston Schuster (Pukekohe) Tomasi Setitaia (Karaka) Rodney Tongotea (Karaka) Larenz Tupaea-Thomsen (Manurewa) Josiah Unga (Pukekohe) Reegan Wheeler (Patumahoe)
