Pakuranga Premier Head Coach John Clough has named an exciting squad for the 2021 season, which kicks off this weekend away to Otahuhu.

A powerful front row contingent is bolstered by a number of new faces that will bring welcome experience to the forward pack.

Former Auckland and Counties Manukau hooker Gafa Su’a joins Sam Beere and Byron Thomas as the three hookers in the squad. Su’a has 50 provincial caps and joins Pakuranga after playing in Australia last season.

Jerry Samania is joined in props by Sam Crichton, Salesi Tuifua, Lepani Tuiagalele and Sesimani Tupou. Tuifua will make his premier debut this year after starring in the St Peter’s 1st XV last year. Samania is only two matches away from receiving his Pakuranga blazer.

Max East will captain the side from the second row, there he is joined by impressive young talent in Cam Finefeuiaki and Ruben Saifoloi.

Five loose forwards are in the 2021 squad, with Peuliki Vaipulu and Sione Takai returning and joined by new faces Leroy Jack, Sione Hifo and Lokeni Tupusolo. Jack has previously played for Counties Manukau while Hifo has represented Tonga at Under 20 and A levels.

Dwayne Polataivao, Fea Puamoto and Gerald Van Wyk are named as the three halfbacks and are no strangers to Pakuranga supporters.

Polataivao was part of the Mitre 10 Cup winning Tasman side in 2020 and his form was rewarded by selection in the Moana Pasifika team to play the Maori All Blacks last December. Currently sitting on 91 caps for the premiers, Polataivao is in line to join the illustrious group of Pakuranga centurions in 2021.

Jamie Spowart returns to Pakuranga, after playing some of his junior rugby for the club Spowart has played senior rugby in Nelson and has made a number of appearances for the Tasman Mako. He joins George Taina, Memphis Ngaruhe and Cameron James as an exciting group of first five-eighths and fullbacks.

Feafaaki Kaumavae, Solofoa Silipa and Paris Saifoloi make up a strong midfield, Kaumavae has international sevens experience, Silipa was a member of the Auckland squad in 2019 while Saifoloi is in line for his premier debut.

Rounding out the squad are the familiar faces of Sam Shearer, Quentin Hill and Etienne Hill in the outside backs. Shearer has been a member of the Auckland Sevens and Colts programme and could be in line for his blazer in 2021, while Etienne joins his brother Quentin in the premier squad for the first time.

The 2021 Pakuranga Premier Squad is

Sam Beere

Sam Chrichton

Max East - captain

Cameron Finefeuiaki

Sione Hifo

Etienne Hill

Quentin Hill

Leroy Jack

Cameron James

Feafaaki Kaumavae

Gallipoli Misileki

Memphis Ngaruhe

Dwayne Polataivao

Fea Puamoto

Paris Saifoloi

Ruben Saifoloi

Jerry Samania

Sam Shearer

Solofa Silipa

Jamie Spowart

Gafa Su’a

George Taina

Sione Takai

Byron Thomas

Lepani Tuifagalele

Salesi Tuifua

Sesimani Tupou

Lokeni Tupusolo

Petuliki Vaipulu

Gerald Van Wyk

Article added: Friday 09 April 2021