Hosta

Counties Manukau (often known as the Counties Steelers) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Pukekohe, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1955, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe in the Auckland region. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are black, white and red.

Notable Competitive Record

Original National Provincial Championship
Year	Result	Place	Played	W - L - D
1977	Runners up	2nd
1978	Runners up	2nd
1979	Champions	1st
1996	Runners up	2nd	10	7-3-0
1997	Runners up	2nd	10	7-3-0
1998	Missed finals	5th	9	4-4-1
1999	Missed finals	9th	9	2-7-0
2000	Missed finals	9th	9	1-8-0
2001	Relegated to Div II	11th	10	1-8-1

Div II NPC
Year	Result	Place	Played	W - L - D
1992	Runners up	2nd
1993	Champions	1st
2002	Runners up	2nd	9	6-3-0
2003	Lost SF	3rd	9	5-4-0
2004	Lost SF	3rd	9	6-2-1
2005	Lost SF	3rd	9	7-2-0

Current Competition Format Record

National Provincial Championship
Year	Final Standing	Place	Played	W - L - D
2006	Missed Finals	-	10	1-8-1
2007	Wooden Spoon	14th	10	0-1-9
2008	Missed Finals	13th	10	2-7-1
2009	Wooden Spoon	14th	13	2-11-0
2010	Missed Finals	9th	13	6-7-0
2011	Champ Semi-final (L)	4th	11	4-7-0
2012	Winner Champ Div / Promoted to Prem Div	1st	12
2013	Missed Finals (Prem)	5th	10	6-4-0
2014	Missed Finals (Prem)	6th	10	5-4-1
2015	Missed Finals (Prem)	6th	10	4-6-0
2016	Prem Semi-final (L) (Prem)	4th	11	6-5-0
2017	Missed Finals (Prem)	5th	10	5-4-1
2018	Missed Finals (Prem)	6th	10	2-8-0
2019	Relegated to Championship Div	7th	10	1-9-0
2020	Missed Finals	6th	10	3-7-0
2021	Incomplete season (Covid-19)	-	2	0-2-0
2022	Missed Finals	11th	10	3-7-0
2023	Missed Finals	9th	10	4-6-0
2024

International Team Selection History

National Honours
Name	Team	Years
Pat Walsh	All Blacks	1955-63
Kevin Skinner	All Blacks	1956
Mick Cossey	All Blacks	1958
Bruce Mcleod	All Blacks	1964-70
Michael Knight	All Blacks	1968
Bob Lendrum	All Blacks	1973
Bruce Robertson	All Blacks & NZ Maori	1972-81
Andy Dalton (C)	All Blacks	1977-85
John Spiers	All Blacks	1976, 1979-81
Rod Ketels	All Blacks	1979-81
Robert Kururangi	All Blacks & NZ Maori	1978 & 1982
Nicky Allen	All Blacks	1980
Brett Codlin	All Blacks	1980
Brett Wilson	All Blacks	1983
Mark Cooksley	All Blacks & NZ Maori	1992-2001
Jonah Lomu	All Blacks	1994-99
Joeli Vidiri	All Blacks	1998
Lelia Masaga	All Blacks	2009
Frank Hali	All Blacks	2013
Augastine Pulu	All Blacks	2014
Cam Roigard*	All Blacks	2023

Other Countries (Outside of New Zealand)
Player Name	Team	Years
Api Naveo	Fiji	1996
Sam Slade*	Manu Samoa
Almanda Motuga*	Manu Samoa
Nikolai Folaki*	Tonga	2021
Gus Leger	Tonga	2001-03
Jonathan Taumateine	Manu Samoa
Zuriel Togiatama*	Fiji

Super Rugby Selections

Super Rugby
Player Name	Team	# Games	Years
Andrew Roose	Blues & Chiefs		1997-99
Jimmy Tupou	Blues, Chiefs & Crusaders		2013-
Nikolai Foliaki	Western Force		2023
Baden Kerr	Blues & Fiji Drua
Api Naveo	Blues & Chiefs		1998-99
Orbyn Leger	Blues, Chiefs & Hurricanes		2018-21
Alex McRobbie	Moana Pasifika		2022-
Almanda Motuga*	Moana Pasifika		2023-
Sam Slade*	Moana Pasifika		2023-
Sekope Kepu* (C)	Moana Pasifika		2022
Jonah Lomu	Blues
Glen Marsh	Chiefs
Sitiveni Sivivatu	Chiefs		2003
Tony Marsh	Blues & Crusaders
Zuriel Togiatama*	Fiji Drua		2023-
Viliame Rarasea	Fiji Drua		2023
Etene Nanai-Seturo	Chiefs
Toni Pulu	Chiefs		2016
Cam Roigard*	Hurricanes
Riley Hohepa*	Hurricanes & Crusaders		2023-
Viliami Taulani	Chiefs		2021
Dean Sheppard	Blues	2	1997

Other Honours

Speical Selected teams
Player Name	Team	Years
Errol Brain (C)	NZ Maori	1989-98
Glen Marsh	NZ Maori & NZ 'A'	1998-2000
Tony Marsh	NZ Maori	1998
Joeli Vidiri	NZ Barbarians, NZ 7's	1998
Jonah Lomu	NZ Barbarians, NZ 7's	1993
Sione Molia	NZ 7's	2016
Josh Gray	NZ Barbarians	2023
Eteni Nanai-Seturo	NZ 7's, NZ XV	2018-23 & 2023

(*) Denotes active steelers player

100+ Games for Union

Players reaching 100 games +
Player Name	Union Club	Games Total
Alan Dawson		201
Andy Dalton
Bob Lendrom
Ean McRobbie
Graham Taylor
Henk Harbraken
Henry Maxwell
Jim Coe	Waiuku
John Spiers	Pukekohe
John Hughes
Lee Lidgard
Lindsay Raki
Mark Moore
Paul Tuoro
Peter Clotworthy
Rod Ketels	Pukekohe
Roy Craig	Waiuku
Warren Mclean
Errol Brain
Bruce Robertson
Grant Henson	Waiuku

Against Non NPC Teams

Record vs. International / Special Touring Teams
Team Name	Year	Location	(W \ L) Score
Italy	2003	Pukekohe	(L) 18-26
Argentina	2001	Pukekohe	(L) 26-70
Samoa	1997	Pukekohe	(L) 19-31
Tonga	1998	Pukekohe	(L) 15-22
Samoa 'A"	2017	Pukekohe	(L) -
France	1989	Pukekohe	(L) 21-29
South Africa	1994	Pukekohe	(L) 26-37
Combined Service New Zealand Army	1995	Pukekohe	(W) 56-11
Victoria	1995	Pukekohe	(W) 57-15
Western Samoa	1993	Pukekohe	(L) 22-41
NZ Div XV	1992	Pukekohe	(L) 17-20
Australia	1991	Pukekohe	(L) 12-17
Romania	1991	Pukekohe	(L) 17-30
NZ Div XV	1990	Pukekohe	(L) 4-45
Canada	1990	Pukekohe	(L) 21-18
Western Samoa	1990	Pukekohe	(L) 20-34

Current squad

The Counties Manukau Steelers squad for the 2023 Bunnings NPC is:^[1]

Counties Manukau Steelers squad
Props Suetena Asomua Lionel Evans Kauvaka Kaivelata Ezekiel Lindenmuth Siate Taupaki ^REP ^[a] Salesi Tuifua Keran van Staden Hookers Palu Ale Ioane Moananu Nicholas Muli ^REP ^[b] Zuriel Togiatama Ian West-Stevens Locks William Furniss Jadin Kingi Alex McRobbie James Thompson Jimmy Tupou	Loose forwards Adam Brash Thor Manase Alamanda Motuga Liam Ngatai-Tafau Dalton Papalii Sean Reidy Sam Slade Hoskins Sotutu Ryan Stewart Viliami Taulani Sam Tuifua Maama Vaipulu Half-backs (scrum-halves) Cohen Brady-Leathem Liam Daniela Kanavale Helu Cam Roigard First five-eighths (fly-halves) Riley Hohepa Jamie King Josh Penney	Midfielders (centres) AJ Alatimu Alex Eruera Nikolai Foliaki Nua Soti Larenz Tupaea-Thomsen Outside backs Esau Filimoehala Joshua Gray Blake Makiri Peniasi Malimali Sione Molia Solomone Naiduki Etene Nanai-Seturo Tevita Ofa Toni Pulu Rodney Tongotea Ahsee Tuala

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped, ^REP denotes a replacement squad player. ^ Taupaki wasn't named in the original Counties Manukau squad, but was announced in the side for Round 1.^[2] ^ Muli wasn't named in the original Counties Manukau squad, but was announced in the side for Round 2.^[3]

Honours

Current Super Rugby players

Players named in the 2023 Counties Manukau Steelers squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12]^[13]

Player	Team
Suetena Asomua	Moana Pasifika
Nikolai Foliaki	Force
Riley Hohepa	Hurricanes
Ezekiel Lindenmuth	Moana Pasifika
Peniasi Malimali	Chiefs
Alex McRobbie	Moana Pasifika
Ioane Moananu	Crusaders
Alamanda Motuga	Moana Pasifika
Etene Nanai-Seturo	Chiefs
Dalton Papalii	Blues
Toni Pulu	Force
Cam Roigard	Hurricanes
Sam Slade	Moana Pasifika
Hoskins Sotutu	Blues
Zuriel Togiatama	Drua

References

^ "2023 PIC Steelers squad confirmed" (Press release). Counties Manukau Rugby. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
^ "Bunnings NPC Round 1: Team Lists". Bunnings NPC. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
^ "Bunnings NPC Round 2: Team Lists". Bunnings NPC. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
^ "Match Centre - Super Rugby - Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua". SANZAAR. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
^ "Six changes made to take on Moana Pasifika" (Press release). Western Force. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
^ "Hurricanes named to take on Moana Pasifika on Saturday" (Press release). Hurricanes. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
^ "Moana Pasifika name 2023 DHL Super Rugby Pacific Squad". Moana Pasifika (Press release). 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
^ "Gallagher Chiefs squad announced for 2023" (Press release). Chiefs. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
^ "Squad Naming - Round Three v Drua" (Press release). Crusaders. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
^ "2023 Squad announced". Blues (Press release). 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
^ "Western Force 2023 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific squad revealed" (Press release). Western Force. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
^ "Hurricanes 2023 squad announced" (Press release). Hurricanes. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
^ "Fijian Drua unveil 2023 squad and first ever development group" (Press release). Fijian Drua. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.

External links

Official site

[Taupaki-3] Taupaki wasn't named in the original Counties Manukau squad, but was announced in the side for Round 1.^[2]

[Muli-5] Muli wasn't named in the original Counties Manukau squad, but was announced in the side for Round 2.^[3]

[2023_PIC_Steelers_squad_confirmed-1] "2023 PIC Steelers squad confirmed" (Press release). Counties Manukau Rugby. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

[Bunnings_NPC_Round_1:_Team_Lists-2] "Bunnings NPC Round 1: Team Lists". Bunnings NPC. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.

[Bunnings_NPC_Round_2:_Team_Lists-4] "Bunnings NPC Round 2: Team Lists". Bunnings NPC. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.

[Match_Centre_-_Super_Rugby_-_Moana_Pasifika_v_Fijian_Drua-6] "Match Centre - Super Rugby - Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua". SANZAAR. Retrieved 3 March 2023.

[Six_changes_made_to_take_on_Moana_Pasifika-7] "Six changes made to take on Moana Pasifika" (Press release). Western Force. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.

[Hurricanes_named_to_take_on_Moana_Pasifika_on_Saturday-8] "Hurricanes named to take on Moana Pasifika on Saturday" (Press release). Hurricanes. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.

[Moana_Pasifika_name_2023_DHL_Super_Rugby_Pacific_Squad-9] "Moana Pasifika name 2023 DHL Super Rugby Pacific Squad". Moana Pasifika (Press release). 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.

[Gallagher_Chiefs_squad_announced_for_2023-10] "Gallagher Chiefs squad announced for 2023" (Press release). Chiefs. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.

[Squad_Naming_-_Round_Three_v_Drua-11] "Squad Naming - Round Three v Drua" (Press release). Crusaders. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.

[2023_Squad_announced-12] "2023 Squad announced". Blues (Press release). 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.

[Western_Force_2023_Harvey_Norman_Super_Rugby_Pacific_squad_revealed-13] "Western Force 2023 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific squad revealed" (Press release). Western Force. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.

[Hurricanes_2023_squad_announced-14] "Hurricanes 2023 squad announced" (Press release). Hurricanes. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.

[Fijian_Drua_unveil_2023_squad_and_first_ever_development_group-15] "Fijian Drua unveil 2023 squad and first ever development group" (Press release). Fijian Drua. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.

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National Provincial Championship (2006–present)
Seasons	2006 2007 2008 2009 (Air New Zealand Cup) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 (ITM Cup) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 (Mitre 10 Cup) 2021 2022 2023 (Bunnings NPC)
Unions	Auckland Bay of Plenty Canterbury Counties Manukau Hawke's Bay Manawatu North Harbour Northland Otago Southland Taranaki Tasman Waikato Wellington
Other	Honours Rugby Cup Ranfurly Shield Wooden Spoon Inter-union trophies Duane Monkley medal Media Sky Sport Radio Sport New Zealand Herald
Stadium	Central Energy Trust Arena Eden Park FMG Stadium Waikato Forsyth Barr Stadium Lansdowne Park McLean Park Navigation Homes Stadium QBE Stadium Orangetheory Stadium Pukekura Park Rotorua International Stadium Rugby Park Stadium Semenoff Stadium Sky Stadium Tauranga Domain TET Stadium & Events Centre Trafalgar Park
New Zealand Rugby Union

Counties Manukau – current squad
Forwards	Palu Ale Suetena Asomua Adam Brash Lionel Evans William Furniss Kauvaka Kaivelata Jadin Kingi Ezekiel Lindenmuth Thor Manase Alex McRobbie Ioane Moananu Alamanda Motuga Nicholas Muli Liam Ngatai-Tafau Dalton Papalii Sean Reidy Sam Slade Hoskins Sotutu Ryan Stewart Viliami Taulani Siate Taupaki James Thompson Zuriel Togiatama Salesi Tuifua Sam Tuifua Jimmy Tupou Maama Vaipulu Keran van Staden Ian West-Stevens
Backs	AJ Alatimu Cohen Brady-Leathem Liam Daniela Alex Eruera Esau Filimoehala Nikolai Foliaki Joshua Gray Kanavale Helu Riley Hohepa Jamie King Blake Makiri Peniasi Malimali Sione Molia Solomone Naiduki Etene Nanai-Seturo Tevita Ofa Josh Penney Toni Pulu Cam Roigard Nua Soti Rodney Tongotea Ahsee Tuala Larenz Tupaea-Thomsen
Head coach	Reon Graham

Rugby union in Auckland
Super Rugby teams	Blues
NPC teams	Auckland Counties Manukau Steelers North Harbour
Local competitions	Auckland Rugby Football Union Gallaher Shield Counties Manukau Rugby Union McNamara Cup North Harbour Rugby Union Kennards Hire Premier 1
Local teams	Auckland Rugby Football Union College Rifles East Tamaki Eden Grammar TEC Manukau Rovers Marist Mt Wellington Otahuhu Pakuranga United Papatoetoe Ponsonby Roskill Districts Suburbs Te Papapa Onehunga Teachers Eastern University Waiheke Waitakere City Waitemata Counties Manukau Rugby Union Ardmore Marist Bombay Drury Karaka Manurewa Maramarua Mercer Onewhero Papakura Patumahoe Pukekohe Puni Te Kauwhata Te Kohanga Tuakau Waiuku Weymouth North Harbour Rugby Union Mahurangi Silverdale Helensville Kumeu Massey East Coast Bays Glenfield Northcote Takapuna North Shore North Harbour Marist Royal New Zealand Navy