Front rower Gordon Afoa has been named to lead the One New Zealand Warriors in their SG Ball Cup (under-19) campaign this year.
The 18-year-old St Paul’s College product was revealed as captain as wider squads were named for the SG Ball and Harold Matthews Cup squads at a fiafia night at Manukau City’s Due Drop Events Centre on Monday.
Afoa was a key performer for the Warriors in their stunning win in the Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) grand final in 2024.
Last year he stepped up appearing for the club in both the SG Ball Cup (under-19) and the Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21).
While confirming Afoa as captain, SG Ball head coach Shannon Rushworth also named Christ’s College’s Rico Lemalie as vice-captain.
The squad features a number of players stepping up from the Warriors’ side that made it back-to-back Harold Matthews (under-17) titles last year.
Bishop Neal, Jeremiah Lemana, Soane Ma’asi, Parekaahu Keepa, Justice Pua, Hinckley Ioka, Dreytin Marriott and Krushil Koteka all played in the grand final win over Newcastle while captain Tyson Hansen was ruled out of the decider. Other 2025 Harold Matthews squad members included are Amasio Tiatia, Ashton-Rex Ulaula-Ieremia and Jacksyn Hill.
- The Warriors open their season against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Bruce Pulman Park, Takanini, on Sunday, February 8.
2026 SG Ball Cup squad
AJ Balchin (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Amasio Tiatia (Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Whānau Tahi, Christchurch)
Anthony Vaigafa (Rongotai College, Wellington)
Ashton-Rex Ulaula-Ieremia (Mount Albert Grammar, Auckland)
Bishop Neal (St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch)
Connor Bowden (Botany Downs Secondary College, Auckland)
Dreytin Marriott (Te Kōpuku High School, Hamilton)
Ezekiel Davidson-Fa'aiuaso (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Filise Naufahu (St John’s College, Hastings)
Gordon Afoa (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Hinckley Ioka (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Jacksyn Hill (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Jeremiah Lemana (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Jospeh Nikola (FAHS – Feilding High School, Feilding)
Joseph Ratcliffe (Palmerston North Boys’ High School, Palmerston North)
Joshua Talau (St John’s College, Hastings)
Junior Malupo (Auckland Grammar School, Auckland)
Justice Pua (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Krushil Koteka (Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, Auckland)
Lennox Tuiloma (St Thomas of Canterbury College, Auckland)
Lesarol Malaesilia (Manurewa High School, Auckland)
Lopeti Taufe'ulungaki (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Lucas Carmine (St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton)
Lucas Vaaga (De Le Salle College, Auckland)
Mark Sikuvea (De Le Salle College, Auckland)
Micah Sula (St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch)
Militonimolela Sikuvea (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Parekaahu Keepa (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Rene Frame (Lincoln High School, Christchurch)
Rico Finau (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Rico Lemalie (Christ’s College, Christchurch)
Ronley Kolomau (Wesley College, Pukekohe)
Sione Telefoni (Christchurch Boys’ High School, Christchurch)
Soane Ma'asi (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Tevita Kilisimasi (Manukura School, Palmerston North)
Tyson Hansen (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Victor Kenese (Manurewa High School, Auckland)
Waisake Ravosai (Southern Cross Campus, Auckland)
Wiremu Makea (Nelson College, Nelson)
Staff
Head coach | Shannon Rushworth
Assistant coach | Trent Wallace
Assistant coach | Moehewa Armstrong
Assistant coach | Monty Betham
Head trainer | James Young
Assistant trainer | Levili Leilua
Head physiotherapist | David Lalor
Rehab physiotherapist | Lauren Cook
Analyst | Bronson Harawira
Wellbeing | Jerry Seuseu
Manager | Liam Turner
