SAS Fox Memorial Premiership Qualifiers club previews

Ahead of the SAS Fox Memorial Premiership Qualifiers kicking off this weekend, ARL Media previews the season ahead for all 12 clubs, including their player movements. Ins and outs are as provided by the club at the time of writing.

A full explanation of the new ARL Premiership structure can be found here.

Marist

Last year was one Marist would probably rather forget about, as they struggled through a season where they finished last in the competition. As the club celebrates 100 years in 2019, they will be eyeing significant improvements under new coaches in one-time Pt Chevalier mentor Zane Pocklington and former NRL player Francis Meli. Sione Ngahe - an SAS College Rugby League title winner with St Paul’s College previously - comes in to boost the pack.

2018 finish: 10th in SAS Fox Memorial Premiership regular season

Ins: Sione Ngahe (Richmond), Afaleti Ngahe, Lene Neemia, Sautia Misa, Kyle Nuualiitia, Able Tualima (all Pt Chevalier), Ari Cerei (Australia)

Outs: Simon Ieremia (retired), Valentino Luafalealo (retired), Toleafoa Leaupepe (Pt Chevalier)

Papakura

Counties Manukau premier team coach Spencer Taplin has taken control at the Sea Eagles, and brought with him a number of big-name recruits, including last year’s leading points-scorer in the Fox, Drew Radich, and promising Howick big man Tayhler Paora. Papakura have lost plenty of experience with Kimi Uasi, Roman Hifo and Sam Ikahihifo leaving, but look well positioned to improve on last year’s eighth-placed finished.

2018 finish: 8th in SAS Fox Memorial Premiership regular season

Ins: Andre Singh, Drew Radich (Howick), George Edwards (Howick), Jahvarn Smith (Pukekohe), Jonathan Pritchard (Manurewa), Junior Pita (Australia), Luke Armiger (Howick), Mikaere Beattie (Australia), Nirraj Sahota (Northcote), Roman Tuhimata (Howick), Tayhler Paora (Howick)

Outs: Eliakim Uasi (Mangere East), James Dowie (Mangere East), Kelepi Lui (Mt Wellington), Roderick Tahavalu (Mt Albert), Roman Hifo (Australia), Sam Ikahihifo (Mangere East), Sheldon Rogers (Turangawaewae)

Bay Roskill

They produced one of the best individual seasons seen in the modern history of the Auckland Rugby League last year, and now Bay Roskill get their chance to show it was no fluke when they step up to the first division. Coach Jono Paul has kept the same roster from last year, but the Vikings will be sweating on the continued fitness of former Kiwi international Ben Henry, who was among their best players when he took the field last year.

2018 finish: Promoted. (Champions of the Crown Lift Trucks Sharman Cup)

Ins: Nil

Outs: Nil

Manurewa

After a lengthy spell stuck in the Auckland second division, the Marlins are back in the Fox and will have their eyes set on a fast start to avoid the early relegation battle. The loss of veteran half Henry Dunn - their best player in last year’s Crown Lift Trucks Sharman Cup Grand Final loss to Bay Roskill - is a big blow, but with one of the most impressive junior systems in New Zealand, they’re well placed to fill the gap.

2018 finish: Promoted. (Runners-up in Crown Lift Trucks Sharman Cup)

Ins: Nil

Outs: Elijah Alefaio (Otara), David-John Phillips (Australia), Henry Dunn (Pt Chevalier), Ponepate Tongia (Mangere East)

Richmond

After several years under Steve Buckingham, Richmond have handed the top coaching job to long-time clubman Junior Fiu this year, with his strong links to St Paul’s College who he coached previously, sure to be an asset. The Bulldogs look set to be a mostly home-grown squad once again, as the club leans on their impressive junior system, while the return of Harrison Sutton from Northcote gives them some added grunt in the engine room.

2018 finish: 9th in SAS Fox Memorial Premiership regular season

Ins: Lopeti Mafi (Australia), Luke Ramasima (New Lynn), Ben Leuluso (Otara), Harrison Sutton (Northcote)

Outs: David Dyer (Te Atatu), Sione Ngahe (Marist), Mataio Timaloa (Otahuhu)

Otahuhu

After an admirable showing under John Ackland last year, in which they were in the play-off race for most of the season, Otahuhu start a new era in 2019. While they have maintained the core of their squad, young prop Connor Taurua-Purcell will take on even more responsibility following the departures of Atanasio Kuea and Sione Tongia.

2018 finish: 6th in SAS Fox Memorial Premiership regular season

Ins: Mataio Timaloa (Richmond), Nono Ngaa (Australia), Leonard Petelo (Mt Wellington)

Outs: Rahiri Witehira (rugby), Nofoasa Malutoa (Australia), Atanasio Kuea (rugby), Sione Tongia (Pt Chevalier)

Howick

Minutes away from a Grand Final appearance last season, the Hornets look to go again with a new-look roster triggered by the departure of several frontline stars to the Papakura Sea Eagles, and the signing of some genuine strike weapons in the backline and pack. Much will depend on how they go about replacing Drew Radich - last year’s leading points scorer in the Fox - but under coach Shaun Clark the Hornets have made a habit of overcoming adversity.

2018 finish: 3rd in SAS Fox Memorial Premiership regular season (eliminated in major semi-final)

Ins: Peter Oliveti (Mt Albert), Scott Jones (Australia), Jaz Nahu-Main (Australia), Mike Blucher (Otara), Roydon Gillett (Mt Albert), Clayton Williams (Australia)

Outs: Luke Armiger, Tayhler Paora, George Edwards, Drew Radich (all Papakura)

Pt Chevalier

A chance to defend their SAS Fox Memorial Premiership title in the year the club celebrates its centenary. There’s plenty of reasons for Pt Chevalier to be motivated in 2019, and they have added some big-name talents to assist in their endeavours. The loss of key forwards Dan Palavi and Chris Sio to Australia, and both of their first-choice halves from last year, is countered by the signing of man mountain Toleafoa Leaupepe, skilful big men Dylan Moses and Sione Tongia, and former Irish international Api Pewhairangi.

2018 finish: Champions of SAS Fox Memorial Premiership

Ins: Dylan Moses (Northcote), Sione Tongia (Otahuhu), Kouma Samson (Mt Albert), Henry Dunn (Manurewa), Kenese Kenese (Sydney Roosters), Toleafoa Leaupepe (Marist), Siapo Pasene (Mt Albert), Manu Weepu (Ponsonby), Api Pewhairangi (London Broncos)

Outs: Lene Neemia (Marist), Chris Sio (Australia), Dan Palavi (Australia), Dylan Tavita (Australia), Oliver Tuimavave (Australia), Levili Leilua (Australia), Tevin Arona (Hornby Panthers, Christchurch)

Glenora

Glenora put together a strong campaign in 2018 but tripped at the final hurdle in a 6-0 Grand Final loss to Pt Chevalier. Coach Bernie Perenara - the man who led their revival in the last few years - is gone, and in his place Ross Uele will coach the side. A fair chunk of experience left Harold Moody Park when Tulson Caird and Aaron Booth hung up the boots, but the Bears still have one of the best rosters in Auckland.

2018 finish: Runners up in SAS Fox Memorial Premiership

Ins: Dean Kouka-Smith, Kalani Pewhairangi-Charlie (both Cronulla Sharks, Australia), Mose Esera (Wynnum Manly, Australia), Saunoa Utumapu (New Lynn), Solomon Vasuvulagi (Townsville Blackhawks, Australia), Whitiora Davis (Northcote)

Outs: Tulson Caird (retired), Aaron Booth (retired)

Northcote

The Northcote Tigers have been steadily improving for a number of seasons now, and last year it culminated in them qualifying through to the finals, in what was their best finish in a long time. Some of that momentum may be lost with the departure of captain Taylor Daniels and three of their best forwards in Trent Schaumkel, Xavier Rice and Dylan Moses, but they get some quality onboard with former Richmond flyer Matiu Stone-Dunn and one time Gold Coast Titans U20 player Zae Wallace joining.

2018 finish: 4th in SAS Fox Memorial Premiership regular season (eliminated in major semi-final)

Ins: Matiu Stone-Dunn (Richmond), Zae Wallace (Australia), Sio Tafiti (Mangere East), Mano Manuha’Apai (rugby union)

Outs: Taylor Daniels (Australia), Trent Schaumkel (Australia), Xavier Rice (England), Dylan Moses (Pt Chevalier)

Mt Albert

Experienced coach John Ackland is back with the club where he cut this teeth as both a player and coach, and will look to breathe new life into a Mt Albert team which missed the play-offs for the first time in several years last season. With a lengthy list of departures, the Lions look set to bring through a number of club juniors into the top side.

2018 finish: 5th in SAS Fox Memorial Premiership regular season

Ins: Liam Ackland (Hibiscus Coast), Lafu Feagaiga (Mangere East), Kristian Petty (Otahuhu), Darren Kellet-Moore, Sydney Havea

Outs: Kouma Samson (Pt Chevalier), Jarrod Tua, Isaac Misky, Cortez Taulu, Jordan Tua (all Te Atatu), Peter Oliveti (Howick), Roydon Gillett (Howick), Semisi Tyrell (Mangere East), Dillon Rota (Australia), Joseph Price (Australia) Reece Joyce, Emmanuel Tuimavave-Gerrard, Aiden Aue, Sala Fa’alogo, Mitchell Adams-Edwards

Mangere East

The person processing the transfers at Mangere East has been kept busy this off-season. The Hawks have significantly boosted their roster - which was last year one of the youngest in the competition - and perhaps most importantly, they have secured the services of revered Fox Memorial title winner Richie Blackmore as head coach. Optimism is high at Walter Massey Park that Mangere East can take the next step and contend for a top four spot in 2019.

2018 finish: 7th in SAS Fox Memorial Premiership regular season

Ins: Tavite Lopeti (Australia), Johnny Faletagoaí (Australia), Lona Kaifoto (Australia), Exodus Semau (Australia), James Dowie (Papakura), Kimi Uasi (Papakura), Sam Ikahihifo (Papakura), Akuila Tuha (Papakura), Semisi Tyrell (Mt Albert), Saimone Makahili (Mt Albert), Henry Pei (Ellerslie), Joseph Hay (Otara), Ponepate Tongia (Manurewa), Caleb Arama (Manurewa), Denzil Manu (Pacific Sharks, Tokoroa), Tyrone Nathan (Northland rugby)

Outs: Nicholas Halalilo (Australia), Folau Lavemai (Australia), Lafu Feagaiga (Mt Albert), Fonitika Lelenga (Mt Albert), Steve Togoiu (Manukau), Frank Fangupo (Papatoetoe)

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