New Zealand Rugby names U85kg national team following epic National Club Cup competition

New Zealand Rugby names U85kg national team following epic National Club Cup competition

After the biggest year yet for our Under 85kg rugby community, New Zealand Rugby, in partnership with the NZ Barbarian RFC, is proud to announce the selection of the National U85kg squad.

This team showcases the depth of talent and commitment in this community and reflects the growing strength of this grade across the country.

Eight players from the weekend’s National Club Cup have made the team with six of those from the 2025 Champions, High School Old Boys Light Bears.

New Zealand Rugby’s Head of Rugby Participation Mike Hester says naming this squad is an exciting end to an already jam-packed season.

“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.”

The National Club Cup final was a curtain-raiser to the All Blacks Bledisloe Cup clash, featuring the High School Old Boys (HSOB) Light Bears against the Pōneke Wanderers. HSOB, finalists for the third consecutive year and champions in 2023, brought experience to the occasion. Pōneke, making their debut appearance, showed no signs of nerves — delivering a spirited start that put HSOB under early pressure.

“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.”, says Hester.

New Zealand Rugby are currently in discussions with another National Union about an overseas tour in 2026.

“Weight restricted rugby is growing in popularity, especially in regions looking to broaden participation and retain players who might be overlooked in traditional formats. 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.”

NZR would like to thank the New Zealand Barbarian RFC for their ongoing commitment to growing weight restricted rugby in this country. Their ongoing support makes events like the National Club Cup and potential tours possible.

New Zealand U85kg 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

 

Reserves

Seamus Rowberry* - Pōneke Wanderers, Wellington

Nick Francis* - Silverdale Truffle Pigs, North Harbour

 

* denotes a new cap

 

Additional facts about the squad

• There are nine new caps (highlighted in the list).
• Eleven teams, ten clubs, and seven PUs are represented in this squad.
• Two new teams are represented this year – the Silverdale Truffle Pigs (North Harbour) and the Waihora Longhorns (Canterbury).
• Eden Lizard’s Tom Rowland has previously represented England in their Under-18’s team.
• Jarred Percival, HSOB Captain, also captained the New Zealand U85kg on their tour to Sri Lanka. He is Canterbury Sportsperson of the year 2025 and placed second in the 2025 Coast to Coast to Coast alongside teammate Josh Purdon.
• Adam Preston’s younger brother is All Black #1231 Kyle Preston.
• Newly capped Nick Robertson has represented the Philippines in their National Sevens Team.
• Making the New Zealand U85 team is a dream come true for newly capped Josh Evans. He joined HSOB as he thought this may be his best chance to make the team and flies from Invercargill to Christchurch for trainings and games.