Wellington (National Provincial Championship)

For the Wellington Rugby governing body, see Wellington Rugby Football Union.

Wellington
Official WRU emblem
UnionWellington Rugby Football Union
Nickname(s)Lions
Founded1879; 145 years ago (1879)
LocationThorndon, Wellington, New Zealand
Ground(s)Sky Stadium (Capacity: 34,500)
CEOTony Giles[1]
Coach(es)Alando Soakai
Captain(s)Du'Plessis Kirifi
Most appearancesBernie Fraser (121)
Top scorerAllan Hewson (893)
Most triesBernie Fraser (105)
League(s)Bunnings NPC
20241st
Champions
Team kit
Official website
www.wellingtonlions.co.nz

Wellington (often known as the Wellington Lions) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Wellington, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1879, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Sky Stadium in Wellington. The team is affiliated with the Hurricanes Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are black and gold.

Current squad

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The Wellington Lions squad for the 2024 Bunnings NPC is:[2]

Wellington Lions squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Halfbacks (scrum-halves)

First five-eighths (fly-halves)

Midfielders (centres)

Outside backs

  • (c) denotes team captain.
  • Bold denotes internationally capped.
  • REP denotes a replacement squad player.
  1. ^ Elliot wasn't named in the original Wellington squad, but was announced in the side for the Final.[3]
  2. ^ Tuiloma wasn't named in the original Wellington squad, but was announced in the side for Round 8.[4]
  3. ^ a b c d Sam Clarke, Avei-Collins, Petaia and Tuiomanufili weren't named in the original Wellington squad, but were announced in the side for the Round 5 mid-week game.[5]
  4. ^ Muriwai wasn't named in the original Wellington squad, but was announced in the side for Round 3.[6]
  5. ^ Maiava wasn't named in the original Wellington squad, but was announced in the side for Round 5.[7]

Honours

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Wellington have been overall Champions on six occasions. Their first title was in 1978 and their most recent title was in 2024. Their full list of honours include:[8][9]

National Provincial Championship First Division
  • Winners: 1978, 1981, 1986, 2000
Mitre 10 Cup Championship Division
  • Winners: 2017
Bunnings NPC
  • Winners: 2022, 2024

Current Super Rugby players

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Players named in the 2023 Wellington Lions squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Player Team
Asafo Aumua Hurricanes
Caleb Delany Hurricanes
Riley Higgins Hurricanes
Du'Plessis Kirifi Hurricanes
Peter Lakai Hurricanes
Siale Lauaki Hurricanes
Ruben Love Hurricanes
Xavier Numia Hurricanes
James O'Reilly Hurricanes
Pepesana Patafilo Moana Pasifika
TJ Perenara Hurricanes
Hugo Plummer Highlanders
Billy Proctor Hurricanes
Matt Proctor Rebels
Ardie Savea Hurricanes
Julian Savea Moana Pasifika
PJ Sheck Blues
Brad Shields Hurricanes
Peter Umaga-Jensen Hurricanes

References

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  1. ^ "Tony Giles to lead Wellington Rugby". Wellington Rugby (Press release). 21 September 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Wellington Lions name squad for 2024 Bunnings Warehouse NPC season". Wellington Rugby (Press release). 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Mills Albert Wellington Lions Name Side for Home Final Against Bay of Plenty". Wellington Rugby (Press release). 21 October 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Mills Albert Wellington Lions look to lock away the Jonah Tali Lomu Memorial Trophy". Wellington Rugby (Press release). 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Mills Albert Wellington Lions side named for midweek Otago clash". Wellington Rugby (Press release). 9 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Mills Albert Wellington Lions Name Side to take on Manawatū". Wellington Rugby (Press release). 22 August 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Mills Albert Wellington Lions name side for Southland clash". Wellington Rugby (Press release). 5 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  8. ^ "National Provincial Championship winners, 1976–2014". Te Ara. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Mitre 10 Cup". Rugby Heartland. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
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