• Harry Plummer named 2021 Auckland Captain.
• Several former Auckland Rugby players return to New Zealand to play for their home province.
• 16 players involved from successful Blues Super Rugby Trans-Tasman season.

The 2021 Auckland Bunnings Warehouse NPC squad has been assembled, with a mixture of young talent, international stars and returning world-class players as the Blue and White Hoops search for their 18th Domestic Title.

27 of the 39 players will re-join the Auckland campaign from last season which saw Auckland finish top of the Premiership competition heading into the Finals.

A COVID interrupted 2020 has seen several former Auckland Rugby players return from their overseas contracts to play for their home province once again.

Jordan Lay will return home after a stint in the United Kingdom with Bristol Bears and Ospreys. The King’s College old boy represented Manu Samoa at the 2019 World Cup and will return to join some former teammates in the 2021 season. Lay’s experience up-front and scrummaging talents will be added to the likes of long-time Auckland teammates, Marcel Renata and Robbie Abel, Samoan international, Albert Anae and All Black, Alex Hodgman.

Bryce Heem is also set to return to the NPC. Heem came back to New Zealand after seasons in the UK and France, before joining the Blues for their successful Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign.

Heem is joined by 15 other Blues teammates who recently brought a Super Rugby title back to the Auckland region for the first time in 19 years.

The inclusion of Harry Plummer and Zarn Sullivan will be welcomed in the Auckland camp after both players were integral parts of the Blues Trans-Tasman title run.

Sullivan will be coming off a promising 2020 NPC and 2021 Super Rugby season and will be looking to express his talents for his Auckland side this year.

Harry Plummer will be presented the captaincy of the Auckland team this year after the departure of TJ Faiane to Japan and the re-appointment of Angus Ta’avao to the All Blacks.

The addition of former Warriors and Kiwis Captain, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be a highly anticipated return once the Otahuhu College old boy takes the field in the Blue and White Hoops.

The NRL Premiership winner and Dally M medallist will bring a first-class level of experience and attacking prowess when he links up with his Auckland teammates.

Along with Tuivasa-Sheck, The Auckland Rugby coaching staff have added another former Warriors teammate and Auckland schoolboy to the 2021 unit.

Dual Rugby League international, Solomone Kata will add his physicality and offensive flare when he returns to his home province of Auckland to play in this year’s campaign. The Sacred Heart College old boy has had an illustrious Rugby League career before switching from the 13-man game to join the ACT Brumbies in the 2020 Super Rugby Australia season.

Vaiolini Ekuasi and Corey Evans will only but add to an impressive breakout year for the two under-20 internationals. Both players are coming off impressive Goodyear Club Rugby seasons which cemented their selection in the 2021 New Zealand Under-20 side. Evans and Ekuasi have been signed by their home union and will no doubt, play a role in the 2021 season and future of the Auckland Rugby Union.

The NPC competition will roll through with the Premiership-Championship format. Auckland will play host to Canterbury, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu, Southland, Hawkes Bay while on the road to Tasman, Wellington, Otago, Counties Manukau, and Waikato.

Head Coach, Alama Ieremia is pleased to welcome back a large group of his 2020 squad while also keen to see the new additions joining the 2021 campaign.

“Firstly, congratulations to all the players who have made the squad this year. It will a special moment for some players and their families who have been named in the squad for the first time. “

“As a coaching and management group, we are extremely excited about this group of players. From the young talent who have come through our Auckland Rugby Academy program to the players who are returning from overseas to play for their home province, they all have a desire to do well for Auckland”.

The Blue and White Hoops begin their season with a Canterbury double-header with the Auckland Storm at Eden Park this Sunday.

2021 Auckland Bunnings Warehouse NPC squad:

Forwards:

Adrian Choat

Akira Ioane

Albert Anae

Alex Hodgman

Angus Ta’avao

Blake Gibson

Felix Kalapu

Hamdahn Tuipulotu

Hamish Dalzell

Jamie Lane

Jordan Lay

Kitiona Vai

Leni Apisai

Marcel Renata

Niko Jones

Ofa Tu’ungafasi

Patrick Tuipulotu

Robbie Abel

Scott Scrafton

Sione Tuipulotu

Soane Vikena

Terrell Peita

Vaiolini Ekuasi

Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa

Backs:

AJ Lam

Bryce Heem

Caleb Clarke

Corey Evans

Dan Hollinshead

Harry Plummer

Jonathan Ruru

Jordan Trainor

Rieko Ioane

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Salesi Rayasi

Sam Wye

Solomone Kata

Taufa Funaki

Zarn Sullivan

Unavailable due to Injury (for season)

James Lay

Joel Cobb

Simon Hickey