News

A total of 16 PIC Steelers players have been announced in Super Rugby Pacific squads on Thursday with two first time selections.

Prop Kauvaka Kaivelata is rewarded after another strong season for the PIC Steelers and joins Etene Nanai-Seturo and Peniasi Malimali at the Chiefs.

Also named in the Chiefs squad is former Blues and Crusaders lock Jimmy Tupou, who enjoyed a brilliant return to New Zealand rugby with the PIC Steelers during the NPC.

Lock James Thompson is given his first Super Rugby contract and joins Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu at the Blues.

Cameron Roigard will return to the Hurricanes after a phenomenal 2023 season in which he made his All Blacks debut and was part of the World Cup squad.

Hooker Ioane Moananu returns to the Crusaders for a second season.

Moana Pasifika will boast plenty of local talent with props Suetena Asomua and Sekope Kepu, loose forward Alamanda Motuga, the versatile Samuel Slade and halfback Jonathan Taumateine while hooker Zuriel Togiatama is once again in the Fijian Drua side.

Salesi Tuifua is named in the Moana Pasifika Development side.

Second-five Nikolai Foliaki returns for another season with the Western Force.