Team
Manawatu Turbos Forwards
Heiden Bedwell Curtis
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis has been a standout since arriving in Manawatu in 2013. He wasted no time winning over the home crowds and his coaches stamping his mark on the No. 6 jersey with no nonsense direct running and gritty physicality at ruck time. He became captain in 2017. HBC also played for the Crusaders in 2017 and 2018.
Position
Loose Forward
Born
26/6/1991
Height / Weight
188cm / 104kg
Club
Feilding Yellows
Tim Cadwallader
Tim Cadwallader boasts a unique versitility in that he can play at both hooker and prop. The former New Zealand Under 20s representative is active around the pack and a tp scrummager.
Position
Prop / Hooker
Born
8/12/1994
Height / Weight
183cm / 108kg
Club
College Old Boys
Fraser Armstrong
Fraser Armstrong left Auckland to link up with the Manawatu Turbos in 2015. The young prop has played for the NZ schools and under-20 side. His scrummaging is second to none, and his tackling is another strength. In 2018 he made his Hurricanes debut.
Position
Prop
Born
18/4/1992
Height / Weight
193cm / 127kg
Club
Old Boys-Marist
Michael Alaalatoa
Michael Alaalatoa joined the Manawatu Turbos in 2015 from the Waratahs. The beastly 136kg prop is solid at the set piece and provides the Turbos scrum with some real grunt. For an indication of the man's size, you only have to ask the Italians who dubbed him Jonah Lomu II Colosso. He has been in the Cruaders since 2016.
Position
Prop
Born
28/8/1991
Height / Weight
190cm / 136kg
Club
FOB Oroua
Sean Paranihi
A hard-nosed prop with the ability to cover both sides of the scrum. Paranihi returned to Manawatu in 2017 after spending time in the Canterbury system and a year out on loan to Counties Manukau.
Position
Prop
Born
14/11/1996
Height / Weight
180cm / 118kg
Club
Feilding Old Boys-Oroua
Sione Asi
Don't let Asi's size fool you, he is one of the most mobile props in the game. He is devastating with ball in hand and an solid scrummager. Known by teammates as 'Panda'.
Position
Prop
Born
3/3/1998
Height / Weight
183cm / 132kg
Club
Kia Toa
Liam Hallem-Eames
Standing at 2m Liam Hallem-Eames is looming presence on the paddock. Hallem-Eames has grown into his role with the Turbos after debuting in 2016.
Position
Lock
Born
20/8/1995
Height / Weight
199cm / 110kg
Club
OBM
Liam Mitchell
At 1.99m, Mitchell has all the height of a lock, but plays with the mobility of a loose forward. After heading to Spain to play in the 2016-17 of-season, he returned in top condition and was rewarded with his first Turbos contact.
Position
Lock
Born
10/10/1995
Height / Weight
199cm / 110kg
Club
Te Kawau
Jackson Hemopo
Originally from Palmerston North Boys High School Jackson returned to the Turbos in 2016 after a couple of years with the Highlanders. The versatile and athletic lock had a breakout campaign with the Highlanders in 2017, highloghted by a man of the match effort against the British and Irish Lions. He was the Turbos player of the year in 2017.
Position
Lock
Born
14/11/1993
Height / Weight
194cm / 113kg
Club
Kia Toa
Antonio Kiri Kiri
Antonio Kiri Kiri has proven himself a versatile loose forward that can maintain a physical presence around the field. Consistently a standout performer for his Old Boys-Marist club, Kiri Kiri applies his array skills in both the 15s and sevens forms of the game. He has played for the New Zealand sevens team and in 2018 was called into the Blues.
Position
Flanker
Born
17/12/1991
Height / Weight
187cm / 105kg
Club
Old Boys-Marist
Nick Crosswell
Crosswell brings plenty of experience to the side with an ability to cover all three loose forward positons and cover at lock. He was one of the original Turbos, gearing up at No 6 in the side's first match in 2006.
Position
Loose forward
Born
3/4/1986
Height / Weight
194cm / 108kg
Club
Feilding Yellows
Brice Henderson
Henderson, also known as Banger, is an all round loose forward who made his debut for Turbos in 2015 after a year in the wider squad. A tough ball carrier with a high work rate in the contact area Brice adds plenty of depth and ability to the Turbos pack.
Position
Loose Forward
Club
College Old Boys
Brayden Iose
Iose was a star at schoolboy level when he captain the New Zealand Secondary Schools' side, so it was no surprise when he was immediately signed to the Turbos. Iose's pace around the park and ability to break tackles made him one of the most elusive loose forwards in the game.
Position
Loose forward
Born
26/08/1998
Height / Weight
188cm / 100kg
Club
Kia Toa
Turboman
Turboman is the most famous mascot in New Zealand. Debuting in 2006 he led the charge for #TURBONATION supporters getting the crowd pumped up at every game since with his inspirational moves and numerous Gun Shows.
A staunch defender of all that is good and fair in the world Turboman lives and breathes Green & White.
Position
Mascot
Height / Weight
190cm / 100kg
-
Heiden Bedwell Curtis
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis has been a standout since arriving in Manawatu in 2013. He wasted no time winning over the home crowds and his coaches stamping his mark on the No. 6 jersey with no nonsense direct running and gritty physicality at ruck time. He became captain in 2017. HBC also played for the Crusaders in 2017 and 2018.
Position
Loose ForwardBorn
26/6/1991
Height / Weight
188cm / 104kg
Club
Feilding Yellows -
Tim Cadwallader
Tim Cadwallader boasts a unique versitility in that he can play at both hooker and prop. The former New Zealand Under 20s representative is active around the pack and a tp scrummager.
Position
Prop / HookerBorn
8/12/1994
Height / Weight
183cm / 108kg
Club
College Old Boys -
Fraser Armstrong
Fraser Armstrong left Auckland to link up with the Manawatu Turbos in 2015. The young prop has played for the NZ schools and under-20 side. His scrummaging is second to none, and his tackling is another strength. In 2018 he made his Hurricanes debut.
Position
Prop
Born
18/4/1992
Height / Weight
193cm / 127kg
Club
Old Boys-Marist -
Michael Alaalatoa
Michael Alaalatoa joined the Manawatu Turbos in 2015 from the Waratahs. The beastly 136kg prop is solid at the set piece and provides the Turbos scrum with some real grunt. For an indication of the man's size, you only have to ask the Italians who dubbed him Jonah Lomu II Colosso. He has been in the Cruaders since 2016.
Position
PropBorn
28/8/1991
Height / Weight
190cm / 136kg
Club
FOB Oroua
A hard-nosed prop with the ability to cover both sides of the scrum. Paranihi returned to Manawatu in 2017 after spending time in the Canterbury system and a year out on loan to Counties Manukau.
Sean Paranihi
Position
PropBorn
14/11/1996
Height / Weight
180cm / 118kg
Club
Feilding Old Boys-Oroua
Don't let Asi's size fool you, he is one of the most mobile props in the game. He is devastating with ball in hand and an solid scrummager. Known by teammates as 'Panda'.
Sione Asi
Position
PropBorn
3/3/1998
Height / Weight
183cm / 132kg
Club
Kia Toa-
Liam Hallem-Eames
Standing at 2m Liam Hallem-Eames is looming presence on the paddock. Hallem-Eames has grown into his role with the Turbos after debuting in 2016.Position
LockBorn
20/8/1995
Height / Weight
199cm / 110kg
Club
OBM
At 1.99m, Mitchell has all the height of a lock, but plays with the mobility of a loose forward. After heading to Spain to play in the 2016-17 of-season, he returned in top condition and was rewarded with his first Turbos contact.
Liam Mitchell
Position
LockBorn
10/10/1995
Height / Weight
199cm / 110kg
Club
Te Kawau
Jackson HemopoOriginally from Palmerston North Boys High School Jackson returned to the Turbos in 2016 after a couple of years with the Highlanders. The versatile and athletic lock had a breakout campaign with the Highlanders in 2017, highloghted by a man of the match effort against the British and Irish Lions. He was the Turbos player of the year in 2017.
Position
LockBorn
14/11/1993
Height / Weight
194cm / 113kg
Club
Kia Toa-
Antonio Kiri Kiri
Antonio Kiri Kiri has proven himself a versatile loose forward that can maintain a physical presence around the field. Consistently a standout performer for his Old Boys-Marist club, Kiri Kiri applies his array skills in both the 15s and sevens forms of the game. He has played for the New Zealand sevens team and in 2018 was called into the Blues.
Position
FlankerBorn
17/12/1991
Height / Weight
187cm / 105kg
Club
Old Boys-Marist
Crosswell brings plenty of experience to the side with an ability to cover all three loose forward positons and cover at lock. He was one of the original Turbos, gearing up at No 6 in the side's first match in 2006.
Nick Crosswell
Position
Loose forwardBorn
3/4/1986
Height / Weight
194cm / 108kg
Club
Feilding Yellows
Brice HendersonHenderson, also known as Banger, is an all round loose forward who made his debut for Turbos in 2015 after a year in the wider squad. A tough ball carrier with a high work rate in the contact area Brice adds plenty of depth and ability to the Turbos pack.Position
Loose ForwardClub
College Old Boys
Iose was a star at schoolboy level when he captain the New Zealand Secondary Schools' side, so it was no surprise when he was immediately signed to the Turbos. Iose's pace around the park and ability to break tackles made him one of the most elusive loose forwards in the game.
Brayden Iose
Position
Loose forwardBorn
26/08/1998
Height / Weight
188cm / 100kg
Club
Kia Toa-
Turboman
Turboman is the most famous mascot in New Zealand. Debuting in 2006 he led the charge for #TURBONATION supporters getting the crowd pumped up at every game since with his inspirational moves and numerous Gun Shows.
A staunch defender of all that is good and fair in the world Turboman lives and breathes Green & White.
Position
Mascot
Height / Weight
190cm / 100kg
Manawatu Turbos Backs
Rob Thompson
The damaging ball-carrier returns home for the 2018 season. After coming through the grades in Manawatu, Thompson set off for Canterbury 2013. His consistent performances for the red and blacks saw him signed to the Crusaders in 2014. In 2016 he signed with the Highlanders where he has established himself as a mainstay of the southerners' backline. Thompson is brother of former Turbos first five-eighth Isaac Thompson.
Position
Midfield
Born
02/08/1991
Height / Weight
183cm / 103kg
Club
Varsity
Jamie Booth
Jamie Booth has been a regular in the halfback rotation since his debut in 2014. Booth has plety of experience having trained with the Blues in 2015 and played with the Newcastle Falcolns and the Highlanders in 2016. On the back of a stellar 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season when Booth was one of the side's most dangerous attacking weapons, he was contracted to the Hurricanes for the 2018 season.
Position
Halfback
Born
14/9/1994
Height / Weight
171cm / 82kg
Club
Varsity
Kayne Hammington
Originally from Wellington, the former New Zealand Under 20s halfback has made his mark since his debut season in 2014. A great support runner, Hammington is no stranger to the tryline. He debuted for the Chiefs in 2016 and has played for the Highlanders in 2017 and 2018.
Position
Halfback
Born
24/9/1990
Height / Weight
170cm / 75kg
Club
Feilding
Aaron Smith
Aaron Smith debuted for the Turbos in 2008 and his partnership with Aaron Cruden saw the Turbos turn many deficits around when they were played off the bench together. With what is considered the swiftest pass in the country it wasn't long until Smith was pulled into the All Blacks making his debut in 2012 and quickly locking down the starting No. 9 jersey.
Position
Halfback
Born
21/10/1988
Height / Weight
169cm / 83kg
Club
Feilding Yellows
Jade Te Rure
Te Rure debuted for the Turbos in 2013 with his attacking style of play quickly making him a fan-favourite. The former New Zealand Under 20s player set off for Scotland after the 2014 season. But he returned to the province in 2017.
Position
First five-eighth
Born
18/6/1993
Height / Weight
181cm / 86kg
Club
Kia Toa
Otere Black
One of New Zealand's top up and coming first five-eighths, Black has been a fixture in the Turbos since 2014. The former New Zealand Under 20s representative has a great tactical read of the game and is one of the most accurate goal-kickers in the provincial game. Black made his Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes in 2015 and transferred to the Blues in 2018.
Position
First Five-Eighth
Born
4/5/1995
Height / Weight
184cm / 86kg
Club
College Old Boys
Hamish Northcott
Hamish Northcott made his Turbos debut in 2013. Brought into the team for his defensive qualities he continues on the proud rugby heritage of Feilding High School players to have played for the Turbos. He played for the Blues in 2015.
Position
Second Five-Eighth
Born
6/8/1992
Height / Weight
183cm / 96kg
Club
Varsity
Ngani Laumape
Originally from Palmerston North Boys High School Ngani Laumape made his return to rugby following a switch from the Warriors in the NRL. An immensely strong ball carrier Ngani played alongside Jason Emery at High School in what was one of the more formidable school boy pairings seen in recent times. He made his All Blacks debut in 2017.
Position
Midfield Back
Born
22/4/1993
Height / Weight
177cm / 103kg
Club
Kia Toa
Nehe Milner-Skudder
Nehe Milner-Skudder is one of the Turbos most rounded backs with a complete set of skills to utilise. An elusive runner of the ball Nehe has a innate ability to glide through the smallest gaps causing havoc for opposition defences.
Nehe's scintilatting form in the 2014 ITM Cup didn't go un-noticed, and the Hurricanes signed him for Super Rugby in 2015. Such was his dominance at that level, he was selected for the All Blacks and is set to make his debut during the Bledisloe Cup encounter with Australia in Sydney.
Position
Fullback / Wing
Born
15/12/1990
Height / Weight
180cm / 90kg
Club
Varsity
Te Rangitira Waitokia
The former Manawatu Under 19s representative headed off to Wanganui in 2016 and had a bumper year making the New Zealand Heartland XV and being named Heartland Player of the Year. In 2017 he returned to Manawatu and proved he is up to the task of Mitre 10 Cup rugby.
Position
Fullback
Born
11/04/1996
Height / Weight
180cm / 81kg
Club
Varsity
Rob ThompsonThe damaging ball-carrier returns home for the 2018 season. After coming through the grades in Manawatu, Thompson set off for Canterbury 2013. His consistent performances for the red and blacks saw him signed to the Crusaders in 2014. In 2016 he signed with the Highlanders where he has established himself as a mainstay of the southerners' backline. Thompson is brother of former Turbos first five-eighth Isaac Thompson.Position
MidfieldBorn
02/08/1991
Height / Weight
183cm / 103kg
Club
Varsity
Jamie BoothJamie Booth has been a regular in the halfback rotation since his debut in 2014. Booth has plety of experience having trained with the Blues in 2015 and played with the Newcastle Falcolns and the Highlanders in 2016. On the back of a stellar 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season when Booth was one of the side's most dangerous attacking weapons, he was contracted to the Hurricanes for the 2018 season.Position
HalfbackBorn
14/9/1994
Height / Weight
171cm / 82kg
Club
Varsity-
Kayne Hammington
Originally from Wellington, the former New Zealand Under 20s halfback has made his mark since his debut season in 2014. A great support runner, Hammington is no stranger to the tryline. He debuted for the Chiefs in 2016 and has played for the Highlanders in 2017 and 2018.
Position
HalfbackBorn
24/9/1990
Height / Weight
170cm / 75kg
Club
Feilding -
Aaron Smith
Aaron Smith debuted for the Turbos in 2008 and his partnership with Aaron Cruden saw the Turbos turn many deficits around when they were played off the bench together. With what is considered the swiftest pass in the country it wasn't long until Smith was pulled into the All Blacks making his debut in 2012 and quickly locking down the starting No. 9 jersey.
Position
HalfbackBorn
21/10/1988
Height / Weight
169cm / 83kg
Club
Feilding Yellows
Jade Te RureTe Rure debuted for the Turbos in 2013 with his attacking style of play quickly making him a fan-favourite. The former New Zealand Under 20s player set off for Scotland after the 2014 season. But he returned to the province in 2017.Position
First five-eighthBorn
18/6/1993
Height / Weight
181cm / 86kg
Club
Kia Toa-
Otere Black
One of New Zealand's top up and coming first five-eighths, Black has been a fixture in the Turbos since 2014. The former New Zealand Under 20s representative has a great tactical read of the game and is one of the most accurate goal-kickers in the provincial game. Black made his Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes in 2015 and transferred to the Blues in 2018.
Position
First Five-EighthBorn
4/5/1995
Height / Weight
184cm / 86kg
Club
College Old Boys -
Hamish Northcott
Hamish Northcott made his Turbos debut in 2013. Brought into the team for his defensive qualities he continues on the proud rugby heritage of Feilding High School players to have played for the Turbos. He played for the Blues in 2015.
Position
Second Five-EighthBorn
6/8/1992
Height / Weight
183cm / 96kg
Club
Varsity
Ngani LaumapeOriginally from Palmerston North Boys High School Ngani Laumape made his return to rugby following a switch from the Warriors in the NRL. An immensely strong ball carrier Ngani played alongside Jason Emery at High School in what was one of the more formidable school boy pairings seen in recent times. He made his All Blacks debut in 2017.
Position
Midfield BackBorn
22/4/1993
Height / Weight
177cm / 103kg
Club
Kia Toa-
Nehe Milner-Skudder
Nehe Milner-Skudder is one of the Turbos most rounded backs with a complete set of skills to utilise. An elusive runner of the ball Nehe has a innate ability to glide through the smallest gaps causing havoc for opposition defences.Nehe's scintilatting form in the 2014 ITM Cup didn't go un-noticed, and the Hurricanes signed him for Super Rugby in 2015. Such was his dominance at that level, he was selected for the All Blacks and is set to make his debut during the Bledisloe Cup encounter with Australia in Sydney.
Position
Fullback / WingBorn
15/12/1990
Height / Weight
180cm / 90kg
Club
Varsity
Te Rangitira WaitokiaThe former Manawatu Under 19s representative headed off to Wanganui in 2016 and had a bumper year making the New Zealand Heartland XV and being named Heartland Player of the Year. In 2017 he returned to Manawatu and proved he is up to the task of Mitre 10 Cup rugby.Position
FullbackBorn
11/04/1996
Height / Weight
180cm / 81kg
Club
Varsity
Manawatu Turbos Management
Jeremy Cotter - Head coachCotter joined the Turbos as an assistant coach in 2014, working under Jason O'Halloran. In his first season looking after the forward pack, the Turbos claimed the provincial Championship division. When O'Halloran moved to Scotland at the end of the 2015 season, Cotter was promoted to head coach.
Aaron Good - Assistant coachGood carved out a handy career as a halfback for the Turbos before injuries cut his career short in 2009 after 28 games for the province. From there he turned to coaching, cutting out an impressive resume with College Old Boys, Feilding Old Boys-Oroua, the Manawatu Development XV and Manawatu Under 19s. In 2017 he was promoted to Turbos assistant coach.
Verne Wilson - Turbos managerWilson had an extensive club coaching career before turning to management when he took over as Turbos manager in 2012. His experience in the role has made him a classy and organised contributor making sure the team is in the right place at the right time.
Doug Tietjens - Academy managerTietjens played 40 games for the Manawatu Turbos between 2008 and 2011. He also spent two years with Taranaki, played six games for the Highlanders and was part of the Chiefs squad in 2014. But injuries cut his career short and he joined the Manawatu Rugby Union as coaching development manager in 2015. He was promoted to academy manager in 2018 to replace Greg Fleming.
