Full squad named for shot at Harold Matthews three-peat

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 20 Jan 2026, 04:29 PM

New captain Tusi Fanolua is among several players returning for another Harold Matthews Cup (under-19) season after being involved in last year’s repeat grand final triumph.

The 16-year-old De La Salle College pupil (he turns 17 on February 2) came off the bench in the Warriors’ 30-16 win over Newcastle in the premiership decider backing up the club's stunning grand final win on debut in 2024.

Fanolua was revealed as skipper by new head coach and former Warrior Albert Vete as full squads were named for the Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup (under-19) competitions at a special fiafia night at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau City on Monday.

Winger Kaian Olsen and three other interchange players from the 2025 grand final side are returning this year – Satali Asolelei-Fretton, Kenny Lafituanai and Hanita Takulua – while Christiano Elia was 18th man for the decider. Shannon Pai was also used during the season.

While the majority of players are from schools in the Auckland metropolitan area there’s a nationwide spread with squad members included from Gisborne Boys’ High School, St Thomas of Canterbury College (Christchurch), Hamilton Boys’ High School, Christ’s College (Christchurch), Christchurch Boys’ High School, Timaru Boys’ High School, New Plymouth Boys’ High School, St Patrick’s College (Wellington), Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whakarewa I te reo ki Tūwharetoa (Taupō), Tauranga Boys’ College, Wesley College (Pukekohe), Tipene (Bombay) and Marlborough Boys’ High School (Blenheim).

The One New Zealand Warriors being their season against The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Bruce Pulman Park, Takanini, on Sunday, February 8.

2026 Harold Matthews Cup squad

Agelu Malaesilia (Manurewa High School, Auckland)
Ammon Lilomaiava (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Anakin Ormsby-Cairns (Gisborne Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Bailey Maruariki-Butler (Auckland Grammar School, Auckland)
Blake Bruce (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Christian Palu (Mount Albert Grammar, Auckland)
Christiano Elia (St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch)
Chris Sau (Manurewa High School, Auckland)
CJ Henry-Poutoa (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Dominic Tanoa'i (St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch)
Ezaiah Solomon (Hamilton Boys’ High School, Hamilton)
Hanita Takulua (Mount Albert Grammar School, Auckland)
Hemiata Togia (St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch)
Hoani-Manuera Kahukiwa (Christ’s College, Christchurch)
Jackson Robinson (Timaru Boys’ High School, Timaru)
Jai Meyer (New Plymouth Boys’ High School, New Plymouth)
Kaian Olsen (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Karcin Puna (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Kava Moa (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Kayce Perese-Sukroo (One Tree Hill College, Auckland)
Keanu Simpson (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Kenny Lafituanai (St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch)
Koia Cook (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Lennox-Rua Limu-Franklin (Christchurch Boys’ High School, Christchurch)
Liam De Har-Elliott (Hamilton Boys’ High School, Hamilton)
Lordzz Matapa (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Lucas March (Hamilton Boys’ High School, Hamilton)
Luke Mostert (Christ’s College, Christchurch)
Makarios Vaihola (St Patrick’s College, Wellington)
Makisi (Leka) Paea (Aorere College, Auckland)
Malakai Havealeta (Wesley College, Pukekohe)
Nathandavid Tapusoa (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Nela Kali (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Ngaio Morehu-Hamutana (Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whakarewa I te reo ki Tūwharetoa, Taupō)
Reuben Matautia (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Rhayn (Rain) Taikato (Tauranga Boys’ College, Tauranga)
Rilee Huggins (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Robert Pange (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Sam Fox (Gisborne Boys’ High School, Gisborne)
Satali Asolelei-Fretton (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Shannon Pai (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Shaye McEwan (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Sifa (Joseph) Moala (Aorere College, Auckland)
Siope To'Ofohe (Southern Cross Campus, Auckland)
Stepharn Tekotia (Massey High School, Auckland)
Steven Luatua (Dilworth School, Auckland)
Tangifetaua Fangupo (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Tawhiri Rush (Tipene, Bombay)
Thomas Christensen (Christchurch Boys’ High School, Christchurch)
TJ (Tyler James Finlay (Aorere College, Auckland)
Tupouniua Otutaha (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland)
Tusi Fanolua (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Vilikesa Nawaqavonovono (Marlborough Boys’ High School, Blenheim)