Latest news with #XaviTaele
Otago Daily Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Three Highlanders named in new look Māori All Blacks
The Māori All Blacks have a new captain and 11 uncapped players for two matches against the Japan XV in Tokyo and Scotland in Whangārei. Hooker Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu) in his first time as Māori All Blacks captain will lead a 29-strong squad that includes new caps, which range from 20-year-old Blues midfielder Xavi Taele, the youngest member of the squad, to 31-year-old Gisborne-born, Taranaki prop Jared Proffit. Head coach Ross Filipo said 32-year-old Aucklander Eklund was the right fit for captain. "This team demands a strong leader with mana, and Kurt has shown that quality and more over a long period of time, for the Māori All Blacks, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and the Blues. He has a lot of experience throughout the squad and that will be a strength for what will be two tough matches." Māori Rugby board member Rob Clark (Waikato, Ngāti Tiipa) said the team and the board had a role in protecting the kaupapa and the identity of Māori rugby. "Māori rugby is the vehicle we use to express our indigenous identity. It holds the health and wellbeing of our people at the forefront, following in the pathways that have been paved before us and those that will follow. This team allows us to express our kaupapa to the world, to inspire all people and protect the taonga that is rugby in Aotearoa." The squad has assembled in Auckland to begin their campaign preparations before leaving for Japan on 25 June. The game againt the Japan XV in Tokyo is on 28 June and Scotland in Whangarei on 5 July. Māori All Blacks squad (iwi, province, Super Rugby club) * denotes new cap Props: Benet Kumeroa (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs) Jared Proffit* (Ngāti Porou/Taranaki/Chiefs) Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes) Kershawl Sykes-Martin* (Ngāti Porou/Tasman/Crusaders) Mason Tupaea* (Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Amaru/Waikato/Blues) Hookers: Jacob Devery* (Te Aitanga a Mahaki/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes) Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu/Bay of Plenty/Blues) Locks: Zach Gallagher* (Te Ātiawa/Canterbury/Hurricanes) Laghlan McWhannell (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Blues) Antonio Shalfoon* (Whakatōhea/Tasman/Crusaders) Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes) Loose forwards: Nikora Broughton (Ngārauru, Ngāti Ruanui/Bay of Plenty/Highlanders) Jahrome Brown* (Ngāti Porou/Waikato/Chiefs) Caleb Delany (Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Wellington/Hurricanes) Cullen Grace (Ngāti Whakaue/Canterbury/Crusaders) Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe/Manawatū/Highlanders) Halfbacks: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara* (Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Porou/Auckland) Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi/Northland/Blues) First five-eighths: Rivez Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine/Northland/Crusaders) Kaleb Trask (Ngāpuhi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs) Midfield: Corey Evans (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kahu/Northland/Blues) Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Hurricanes) Daniel Rona (Te Ātiawa/Taranaki/Chiefs) Xavi Taele* (Ngāi Tahu/Auckland/Blues) Gideon Wrampling* (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine/Waikato/Chiefs) Outside Backs: Cole Forbes (Ngāti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Blues) Jonah Lowe (Ngāti Pikiao/Hawke's Bay/Highlanders) Zarn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Hawke's Bay/Blues)
RNZ News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Blues v Force: what you need to know
Blues v Force Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 2 May Eden Park, Auckland Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport The Blues need to win all four of their remaining games to make the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs, a task that starts tonight against the Force. To say this season has been disappointing so far for the defending champions is a severe understatement, however if they can turn things around now the Blues can make an unlikely title defence - especially since they were so poor in their loss to the Reds last weekend. Even though the Force were handily beaten last weekend by the Chiefs, they are a much more powerful threat than usual thanks to an influx of players this season from the defunct Melbourne Rebels. Ofa Tu'ungafasi dives for the try line. Photo: Photosport Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Taufa Funaki, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. AJ Lam, 12. Xavi Taele, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Cole Forbes, 15. Stephen Perofeta Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Cam Christie, 21. Adrian Choat, 22. Sam Nock, 23. Corey Evans Force: 1. Ryan Coxon, 2. Nic Dolly, 3. Tom Robertson, 4. Jeremy Williams (c), 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Reed Prinsep, 9. Henry Robertson, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Mac Grealy, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Bayley Kuenzle, 14. Harry Potter, 15. Kurtley Beale Bench: 16. Albert Alcock, 17. Atu Moli, 18. Josh Smith, 19. Josh Thompson, 20. Will Harris, 21. Nic White, 22. Max Burey, 23. George Poolman Xavi Taele of the Blues at the Super Rugby Pacific at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton. Photo: Jeremy Ward / Photosport Finlay Christie, Zarn Sullivan and Mark Tele'a are all missing from the side that lost to the Reds, but at least Tele'a can blame suspension for his omission. He's out for three weeks after a horrible tackle on Tim Ryan, but the other two have simply paid the price for poor performances. Taufa Funaki takes over at halfback and AJ Lam moves to the wing, with Xavi Taele coming in at second five. Photo: AFP It's a warm welcome back for Kurtley Beale, the former Wallaby pulling on the boots for the first time this season after an injury layoff. Jeremy Williams returns to the starting side after being a late withdrawal last weekend, while Reed Prinsep is elevated to the starting side. Former All Black Atu Moli comes onto the bench. Harry Potter during the Chiefs v Force, Super Rugby Pacific match, Blake Park, Tauranga. Photo: Aaron Gillions/ActionPress The Blues are undefeated in their last 12 Super Rugby games against Western Force (W11 D1) and have won their last nine in a row against them. The only time the Force have ever beaten the Blues was in 2008. The Force have lost 22 of their last 23 Super Rugby Pacific games in New Zealand including their last nine in a row, conceding 55+ points in each of their last three games. Force winger Harry Potter has scored six tries in his last six games in Super Rugby Pacific. He's never played against the Blues, but he has scored four tries in his last four games against New Zealand opponents. "I just don't think we have that same intensity. I think we've forgotten and it's important we remind ourselves that it's a competition, and one you've got to engage yourself in fully to be competitive." - Blues coach Vern Cotter. "It's a great opportunity to come to Eden Park and play, it's a privilege to play at the stadium but it's a field, it's grass, it's got white lines. It's important that we can perform at any surface at any time." - Force coach Simon Cron. Blues 50 - 3 Force The Blues enjoyed their biggest win of the season with this beatdown at Eden Park, scoring at a regular rate across the 80 minutes despite having rested many of their top lineup. Taufa Funaki was the main beneficiary with two tries and a very assured performance. Even though the Blues have been awful, and the Force have been promising, it's hard to see the Western Australians forcing a result after a horrible day of rain in Auckland. If they do, it'll likely be in the fashion that the Brumbies achieved victory earlier this season. It's likely the Blues will go back to their power game, so expect a heavy diet of Hoskins Sotutu with ball in hand.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Xavi Taele Signs On For 2026 Season
Exciting young Blues midfielder Xavi Taele has signed on for another season with the club, committing to the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign. A product of the Blues development pathway and Saint Kentigern College, Taele has steadily climbed the ranks, representing the club at U17, U18, and captaining the Blues U20 side. He also represented the New Zealand U20s in 2023 and 2024. Blues GM of Rugby Murray Williams welcomed Taele's commitment to the Blues. 'Xavi is one of the most promising young backs in the country. He's a smart footballer with a great feel for the game and a hunger to keep improving. 'He's been part of our environment for a few years now and thoroughly deserves this opportunity. We're excited to see what he brings.' Taele said he was excited to continue his journey with the Blues. 'This club has been a big part of my rugby journey, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to keep building here," said Taele. 'I've learned so much from the players and coaches around me and I'm looking forward to stepping up and contributing more in 2026.'
