SENIOR RUGBY

2026 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

PLAYER REGISTRATION

2026 Player Registrations are now open - Create RX Profile & Register here.

2026 Pre Season Training

Pre-season training’s are every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6.30pm. Training is at the Western Springs Outer Fields, or Cox's Bay Reserve- please refer to updates on Facebook each week. All players are welcome!

The below contacts are responsible for steering their team towards the standard expected of a Ponies player, on and off the field. By doing so, the Club's values are upheld and the rich history extended by the players and members of this generation. It is their time.

Director of Rugby: Peter Leulusoo - 021 314 344 dor@ponsonbyrugby.co.nz

Premier Men - The Ponies

The flagship team for any club is its Premier side, and none has been more successful in Auckland competitions than Ponsonby. From its first championship win in 1877 – before the Auckland Union was even formed – right through to today Ponsonby has been the standard which all other clubs have to reach. Ponsonby holds nearly every record in Auckland Premier club play; 37 Gallaher Shield wins including eight in a row between 2004 and 2011, 11 more Auckland Union titles before the Shield was presented, and four before the Union formed for a total of 52.

Ponsonby has provided more All Blacks that any other club (45), 37 Super rugby players, over 200 Auckland A players and more than 30 who have played for other unions as loan players.

To play for Ponsonby Premier Men is, and has always been, a mark of achievement for any player in Auckland.

Head Coach:

Willie Gibbons – 027 405 8961 willie.gibbons@bradnams.co.nz

Asst Coaches:

Alex Fatu (Forwards) - 021 0228 6355

afatu@adhb.govt.nz

Dan Willemsen

Wayne Ngaluafe

John Senio

Morna Pulevaka

Managers: 

Joe Solomona

Charles Winston Hiliau

Physio: 

Nathen Foulagi

Premier Women - The Fillies

Women’s rugby is one of the biggest growth areas in the club, and the Fillies are the flagship team. We are the current Auckland Rugby Premier 15's Champions, winning the "Coleman Shield" for the last three years (2023-24-25).

In 2017, six members of the Fillies were chosen for the Black Ferns, along with two ex-Fillies and the assistant coach – a remarkable indication of the strength in the side. Ponsonby has provided 24 Black Ferns (third most of any club), 17 Super Rugby Aupiki players and over 80 Auckland Storm players.

A women’s development competition, aimed at helping those who have little or no rugby experience and playing 10-a-side rather than 15s, is also under way and this is an opportunity the club is keen to take advantage of. The club sees this as a chance to build players’ skills to the point where they are firstly back-ups for the Fillies and then contenders for places.

Head Coach:

Alex Matapo - 027 209 4685

Asst Coaches:

Stefan Smith

stefan.smith@gmail.com

Ming Mafoe

mingmafoe@gmail.com

Malua Tipi

Managers: 

John Tetini

john.tetini@corys.co.nz

Craig Watt -

Fillies Development Head Coach:

Kobi Daniel

kobi.daniel@hotmail.com

Premier Development / Premier 2

As the name suggests, everyone in this team is regarded as a potential Premier player. Standards have to be kept high because injury, demands of selectors or any unforeseen event can mean promotion to the top team, and the player is expected to be able to fit in seamlessly. The team often trains with the Premiers, so players have an understanding of moves and tactics that are shared by both sides. At all times the intention is to bring the Development team players as close to Premier standard as possible.

Head Coach:

Jack Huch - 021 781 025

jackhuch59@gmail.com

Asst Coach: 

Joe Walding

josephwk@hotmail.co.nz

Dan Elia

Tim Leaupepe

Managers: 

Lai Lokeni

Under 19 / Colts

For many years, under-19 was one of the staples of Auckland club rugby for recent school leavers, although in recent times it has been absorbed into the Under-21 grade. At Ponsonby, we believe this grade - the old Fifth Grade - has an important part to play in providing rugby for players who- for any reason- don't feel quite ready to make the step straight to Under-21s. These benefits were shown by our late Patron, Keith Nelson, who, after a year in Fifth Grade in 1957, confidently jumped straight to Senior in 1958, before going on to represent Otago, Auckland and the All Blacks.

Head Coach:

Nela Moa

taimoana12@gmail.com

Asst Coach: 

Willy Hafu

Managers: 

Theresa Namoa

Under 21

For as long as the club has been around, young players have been regarded as vitally important to its welfare. In the 1880s Ponsonby was the first club to have junior clubs feeding talented youngsters into the parent club and, eventually, to the Senior team. As Auckland rugby grew Ponsonby always looked to Third Grade (Under-21, as it was then) as the finishing school for its best young prospects. Almost every player of note the club has ever had has done a year in Third Grade, getting the rough playing edges smoothed by talented coaches and learning about life outside rugby along the way. Some players have even been good enough to be chosen for Auckland while still playing age-grade rugby; Ben Atiga and Sam Tuitupou are recent examples.

Expectations are high every year because the club considers this to be such an important grade in the overall general health of the rugby programme; players are given the best help the club can offer to become better rugby players and more rounded young men.

Head Coach:

Siu Puletiuatoa - 021 269 8062

siu.puletiuatoa@stantec.com

Asst Coaches:

Kevin Senio

kevins@moanapasifika.co.nz

Managers:

Carly Puletiuatoa

carly.puletiuatoa@airnz.co.nz

First Grade / Premier 3

First Grade caters for players over 20 who may have various playing ambitions or training availability. First Grade is effectively the Club’s Third XV and trains with the Premiers on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Players can and do use this team as a stepping stone into Premier grades. This team may also suit players that are keen to play competitively but are unable to train consistently.

Head Coach:

TBC -

Asst Coach: 

TBC –

Managers: 

TBC –

Under 85kg

Herne Bay Hustlers

The under-85kg grade is becoming more popular every year and is now the backbone of some clubs. Ponsonby has its own flagship team – the Herne Bay Hustlers – who are determined to secure the championship in what is a very difficult grade to win. Since their inception in 2013, the Hustlers have won a championship, amassed 300 dozen Speights in competition winnings, won over 80% of their games and had a lot of fun doing it.

The Hustlers are well organised and enjoy both rugby and social aspects of the game. They train Tuesday and Thursday nights, and offer good opportunities for smaller players who prefer to compete against similar-sized men.

Head Coach: 

Richard Inglis

Richard.Inglis@vector.co.nz

Asst Coach:

Reagon Moslem

reagan.moselen2@gmail.com

Managers: 

TBC –

President’s Rugby

For those whose body does not match the competitive streak anymore or those that enjoy a leisurely trot out on a Friday night or Saturday. This is normally for players over 35 years old that enjoy the comradeship that rugby brings and after match festivities! Ponsonby recently fielded iconic teams, the Puritans, the EP's and Kelston... and all nobly uphold social rugby conventions. Now retired, we look forward to seeing our new Mavericks create a new legacy in the Ponsonby Presidents grade.

Beer & Bench Coordinators: 

Paul Anitelea

panitelea@gmail.com

Ray Hira

ray.hira@sew-eurodrive.co.nz