Since 2021, Bunnings Warehouse has been the primary partner and naming rights sponsor of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC, the Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse, and the Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship.
Bunnings Rugby Assist was launched in 2021, in partnership with New Zealand Rugby, to help community rugby clubs upgrade facilities that are vital to their operation.
Over the past five years, Bunnings Rugby Assist has supported 60 clubs with a share of $1.5 million in Bunnings products and materials and labour support.
Achieving change requires commitment from many and as a proud partner of provincial rugby in New Zealand, it’s just a small way that Bunnings can lend a hand to the communities in which we operate.
ROUND ONE
LIONS RELOAD FOR NEW CAMPAIGN
The Wellington Lions return after a triumphant 2024 season, claiming their sixth national title. The final had it all, 20 minutes of overtime, torrential rain, and one that will be remembered for the ages.
The Lions kick off their 2025 campaign right where it all began in 2024 — Porirua Park. This season, the NPC champions will play all five of their home games at Porirua Park, including two double-headers alongside their sister team, the Wellington Pride.
Wellington opens their 2025 NPC campaign against old foes Canterbury, in what promises to be a challenging first-up encounter.
New Head Coach Trent Renata has named thirteen of the 23 players from the 2024 final against Bay of Plenty to return for the clash.
Renata says, “Canterbury will bring real physicality at the breakdown and a sharp edge at set piece — it’s in their DNA and something they execute extremely well.”
Wellington will be without inspirational leader Du’Plessis Kirifi and several other key players due to All Blacks commitments and injury.
Cleared by the national squad, All Black Ruben Love will line up at fullback for the Lions. Meanwhile, Canterbury will feature All Black hooker Brodie McAlister.
Incumbent Brad Shields will lead the side from No. 8 and captain the Lions for the 2025 season.
Former All Blacks Julian Savea and Matt Proctor will anchor the midfield, with Riley Higgins ruled out for the season through injury and Peter Umaga-Jensen currently playing his rugby in Japan.
Trent Renata - Head Coach
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HARRY IRVING
Club: Old Boys University
Weight: 108kg
Height: 197cm
DOB: 02/07/2005
Which player did you look up to growing up and why? I looked up to Dan Carter because he was so skill-full and a left footer like me and I grew up playing 10.
What’s been your proudest rugby moment so far? Probably wearing the black jersey out for New Zealand against Argentina in the u20 Rugby Championship.
What goals have you set for yourself this season? To play for the Wellington Lions and use the facilities and Experience of players we have access to, to grow as much as possible.
Is there a game or opponent you’re especially looking forward to? I have a lot of family in Taranaki so seeing them at the game would be special.
Where did you grow up, and what does your hometown mean to you? I am born and bred in Wellington, my hometown means a lot because there is so much opportunity for ambitious people in any area of interest.
How would your teammates describe you off the field? They would describe me as fun and chill.
FUN Q’s
• Go-to hype song? Anything from 50Cent
• Favourite local café or takeaway? CouCou, a new cafe in Island Bay
• Dream holiday destination? Fiji
• Hidden talent? I’m alright at Free diving
BRAD SHIELDS
What does it mean to you to captain the Wellington Lions, especially now, later in your career?
What do you love most about this Lions?
I just love the fact that I enjoy playing for this team so much and the love runs deep with your province, growing up supporting this team and so surreal to still be able to run around with the Wellington Lions jersey on. This province has so much history and legacy it’s amazing to be a part of.
Extreme privilege to captain a team that’s held so close to my heart and passion. Hopefully with my experience I can help guide the young fellas to become great rugby players and great humans!
What’s something about being captain that people might not see or expect? Probably that you’re not the only one in the group who makes decisions. There’s a core group of leaders that we all bounce ideas off and drive the game on the field. Behind every good captain is an awesome leadership team who drive the environment and the rugby.
Has your leadership style changed over the years? If so, how?
I think something that has stayed with me is I’m always keen to lead by actions first whether that’s with standards or just working hard. That’s something that hopefully will never change with my leadership. What’s changed as I’ve gained more experience and with age is probably what to prioritise and a holistic approach to rugby rather than just the rugby itself. End product is Saturday but there so much that goes into a week off the field.
Who were the role models or captains who influenced your leadership approach?
One of the main role models I tried to mirror or take bits from is Dane Cole’s! He’s always been a leader who wears his heart on his sleeve and plays with such passion but has absolute care with everyone in the environment. Another player who’s had some recent influence on my leadership is Dups. The growth he’s showed over the last 8-10 years is awesome and very refreshing to have his thoughts and influence on an environment.
GET YOURSELF A GAME PLAN
MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:
• An invite to the Captains Run Event.
• Score autographs, photos, and chat with all your favourite players. Autograph Book included.
• Opportunity to be in the Guard of Honour. Birthday shout-outs from Leo the Lion on the Big-Screen at Sky Stadium (subject to Big-Screen availability) or an email.
• 3x exclusive eDMs with fun facts, player Q&As, activities and video drills from the Lions.
• Lions Club Certificate: Receive a personalised certificate signed by your favourite player, celebrating your membership.
• Official Lions Team Photo (digital) Purchase yours today for just $20 here
MEMORABLE MATCHES
Wellington v Canterbury 2000 NPC Final
Of the six finals that the Vodafone Wellington Lions contested between 1999 and 2007, all have proved to be hard-fought, epic encounters. But for drama and excitement, none can top the 34-29 2000 NPC final win over Canterbury, in which the Lions scorched to a big lead, only to be forced to hang on grimly at the end in the face of a gallant Canterbury comeback. Reduced to 14 men and almost conceding a penalty try at the death, the Lions held on in what remains one of the most thrilling finals in NPC history.
On paper, the 2000 Lions had the hallmarks of a champion team, including the most potent back three in world rugby at the time with wings Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu and a fullback named Christian Cullen. This trio were backed up by the classy Alama Ieremia–Jason O’Halloran midfield combination and reliable insides Jason Spice and David Holwell. Captain Norm Hewitt led a tight five comprising locks Dion Waller and Inoke Afeaki and imported props Morne van der Merwe and Kevin Yates, while there was a healthy mix of experience and youth in the loose forwards with veterans Filo Tiatia and Kupu Vanisi, and young talents Rodney So’oialo and Jerry Collins.
But with such a dynamic side to put out on the park, Wellington had been struggling to show their true colours earlier in the season. Three losses in four games, culminating in a misfiring 7-24 defeat to North Harbour during the middle weeks of the round robin, convinced many long-term supporters that once again this was not going to be their year.
However, the North Harbour loss proved a turning point in the 2000 campaign, heralding a noticeable change in both attitude and style. The team suddenly broke the shackles and started playing free-spirited, running rugby — a move that ushered in immediate success. Over the following weeks, they produced bonus-point wins over Counties Manukau (45-29), Southland (28-21), and Waikato (48-23), earning them an Eden Park semi-final showdown with Auckland.
The outside backs came out to play against Auckland, with Cullen (2), Lomu, Brad Fleming and Umaga – now playing at centre in place of an injured Ieremia – combining for the Lions’ five tries in a comfortable 48-23 rout. Though not affecting the result, Fleming’s try was long remembered as a controversial one, with the TMO awarding it despite clear evidence he had knocked on over the line.
From there, it was on to Christchurch to contest a second successive final after missing out to Auckland 18-24 the previous year, with Wellington fans full of optimism that they would go one better. Their confidence was soon realised when Lomu ran on to an O’Halloran kick and chase and Holwell converted for a 7-0 lead.
The big winger scored again after a rampaging 50-metre run up the touchline in which he nonchalantly swatted off Fijian international Marika Vunibaka. O’Halloran and Afeaki added their names to the score sheet as the Lions held a seemingly match-winning 34-15 lead midway through the second half.
This advantage could have been greater still, with video replays confirming that Cullen had actually scored two tries, but neither was followed through by referee Paul Honiss for closer inspection.
But the home side had other ideas and came storming back into the contest over the final quarter, to trail by just five points at the business end of the match. Waller was sin-binned for Wellington, and the Lions were left grateful that they had finished with their line intact after waves of concerted Canterbury attack, amidst calls for a penalty try with a minute remaining.
Fresh controversy surrounded Hewitt after the game for allegedly setting a bad example when he revealed he had played much of the second half with a broken arm, refusing to leave the field and instead moving to prop with four out of five of Wellington’s front rowers injured during the game.
Rambler Coachlines is a family-owned locally run business with operations in Wellington, Dunedin, and Invercargill.
Rambler Coachlines recently acquired Event Bus in Invercargill to add to our stable, which we will rebrand in time, so supporting the Stags while in the capital makes sense.
We are delighted to be a supporter of the WRFU as a sponsor for another season and the wider Wellington club environment. We wish both teams all the best for their respective seasons.
