New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific clubs have finalized their Wider Training Groups (WTGs) for the 2027 season, highlighting the country’s next generation of talent.
this year, New Zealand Rugby has opened its WTG draft to the media for the first time, offering an in-depth look at which upcoming talents are most in demand. This year was the third edition of the WTG draft.
Each club would be able to sign six players during the NPC season, with the option to fill the remaining spots on their 12-man WTG rosters through the draft. The Highlanders locked only three players before the deadline, a Crusaders locked in at four, triggering a staggered start to the draft to ensure both teams have the same number of players as the Blues, Bosses and Hurricanes before those three began to choose.
Since signing players before the draft is optional, the draft began in what was considered the 4th round, with the Highlanders selecting their fourth player. If the team had not signed any players before the draft, they would have started the selection in the 1st round. The Crusaders joined the draft in the 5th round, and the remaining three teams joined in the 7th round.
There are no quotas or rules requiring teams to select players from their regions, but if two teams select the same player in the same round and one is his home region, that team has the advantage. If neither team that selects a player is their home team, the player is contacted to choose between them, and the losing team then chooses again. That scenario did not materialize this year.
Teams must fill each of the following positions before doubling up on any: loose back, hooker, tighthead, lock, free forward, halfback, front five, midfield and outside back. This rule was immediately tested by the Highlanders, who signed Otago’s Sam Nemec-Vial during his breakout NPC campaign and attempted to select Jae Broomfield with their first pick but were rejected as they have yet to fill their other positions. Broomfield was later selected by the Crusaders.
The Blues and the Crusaders were granted waivers to sign two top fives and two locks, respectively, in the starting six. The Chiefs have signaled they won’t pick a lock in their WTG, the Hurricanes have signaled they won’t pick a whore, and the Highlanders have signaled they won’t pick a top five. Both the Highlanders and Hurricanes opted to exit the draft early and will have fewer than 12 players in their 2027 WTGs.
The teams’ pre-draft signings were as follows.
blues: Esilie Fono (loose prop), Leka Tu’ungafasi (tight support), Cohen Norie (first five), Cam Howell (first five), Tom Barham (midfield), Harlyn Saunoa (outside back)
bosses: Keightley Watson (tight end), JJ Pokai (whore), Rui Farrant (halfback), Andrew Knewstubb (front five), Haki Wiseman (midfield), Nathan Stephens (outside back)
hurricanes: Logan Wallace (tight end), Matolu Petaia (lockdown), Jai Tamati (halfback), Will Cole (front five), Gary Basson (midfield), Lukas Ripley (outside back)
crusaders: Mona Moli (loose prop), Gus Brown (tight prop), Max Fale (lock), Jake Frost (lock)
Highlanders: Kieran McClea (half back), Austin Anderson (midfield), Sam Nemec-Vial (outside back)
Full Super Rugby Pacific WTG 2027 Draft Results
4th round
Highlanders: Senita Lauaki (loose forward)
5th round
Crusaders: Jayden Henderson (whore)
Highlanders: Ben Lopas (loosehead prop)
6th round
Crusaders: Konrad Toleafoa (free forward)
Highlanders: Solomone Tukuafu (Stiffhead)
7th round
Blues: Sam Tuitupou (free forward)
Bosses: William Martin (loosehead prop)
Hurricanes: Patrick Mauga (loose forward)
Crusaders: Joel Lam (halfback)
Highlanders: Reuben Allen (lockdown)
8th round
blues: Jordan hutchings (whore)
Chiefs: Mosese Basson (free forward)
Hurricanes: Malakai Hala-Ngatai (loose prop)
Crusaders: Jae Broomfield (outside back)
Highlanders: Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia (whore)
9th round
Blues: Tevita Tatafu (lockout)
Bosses: Michael Naitokani (midfield)
Hurricanes: Daniel Filimone (outside linebacker)
Crusaders: Cooper Grant (midfield)
Highlanders: Nicholas Sauira (outside back)
10th round
Blues: Tyson Belworthy (halfback)
Chiefs: Dallas Rata-Makene (outside back)
Hurricanes: Waisake Salabiau (outside back)
Crusaders: Aaron Gibbes (top five)
Highlanders: Phoenix Abbott (free forward)
11th round
Blues: Riley Tofilau (solid prop)
Bosses: Samu Tawake (Tough Head)
Hurricanes: Johnny Falloon (lockout)
Crusaders: Vea Taumoefolau (solid prop)
Highlanders: N/A
12th round
Blues: Caleb Woodley (free forward)
Bosses: Kurene Luamanuvae (Tough Supporter)
Hurricanes: N/A
Crusaders: Logan Williams (outside back)
Highlanders: N/A
Final wider training groups
Blues
Elie Fono (loose prop)
Leka Tu’ungafasi (Sturdy Supporter)
Cohen Norie (Top Five)
Cam Howell (Top Five)
Tom Barham (midfield)
Harlyn Saunoa (outside back)
Sam Tuitupou (free forward)
Jordan Hutchings (whore)
Avoid Tatafa (lock-in)
Tyson Belworthy (halfback)
Riley Tofilau (tight end)
Caleb Woodley (Free Forward)
Bosses
Keightley Watson (solid prop)
JJ surgery (whore)
Rui Farrant (midfielder)
Andrew Knewstubb (Top Five)
Justice Wiseman (midfield)
Nathan Stephens (outside back)
William Martin (loosehead prop)
Moses Basson (free forward)
Michael Naitokani (midfield)
Dallas Rata-Makene (outside back)
Samu Tawake (hard prop)
Kurene Luamanuvae (firm support)
Hurricanes
Logan Wallace (solid prop)
three fives (locking)
Jai Tamati (midfielder)
Will Cole (Top Five)
Gary Basson (midfield)
Lucas Ripley (outside back)
Patrick Mauga (free forward)
Daniel Filimone (outside back)
Waisake Salabiau (outside back)
Johnny Falloon (Lockdown)
Crusaders
Mona Molly (loose prop)
Gus Brown (solid prop)
Max Fale (lockdown)
Jake Frost (Lockdown)
Jayden Henderson (whore)
Konrad Toleafoa (free forward)
Joel Lam (midfielder)
Cooper Grant (midfield)
Vea Taumoefolau (tight end)
Logan Williams (outside linebacker)
Highlanders
Kieran McClea (halfback)
Austin Anderson (midfield)
Sam Nemec-Vial (outside back)
Senita Lauaki (relaxed forward)
Ben Lopas (loose prop)
Solomone Tukuafu (solid prop)
Reuben Allen (lock)
Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia (whore)
Nicholas Sauira (outside on back)
Phoenix Abbott (free forward)
Italics indicate selected drafts