Auckland Rugby 2022
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This is the article:
Jared Savage
Investigative JournalistThe promising future of a schoolboy rugby star is at a crossroads after getting caught running drugs for the Comancheros motorcycle gang.
Lemeki Namoa was the head prefect for Sacred Heart College in 2017 and captained the prestigious Auckland school's First XV rugby team for two years, including an appearance in the final of the top-tier competition.
The outside back was an age-grade representative for the Blues and on track for a professional career after being named in 2019 as the Super Rugby franchise's development player of the year.
"I've been pretty lucky, [I'll] keep working hard," Namoa said in accepting the award at a black-tie dinner.
"Whatever comes at me, comes at me."
But the following year, the 19-year-old was arrested by detectives from the National Organised Crime Group investigating a drug syndicate run by the Comancheros gang.
About $20,000 cash was found in Namoa's bedroom, as well as a black leather vest with yellow trim. The colours are synonymous with the notorious outlaw motorcycle club from Australia.
He was arrested in December 2020 as part of the second phase of Operation Cincinnati and this month, on the eve of a High Court trial, pleaded guilty to a pair of methamphetamine offences.
One of the charges he admitted was being in possession of 1kg of the Class-A drug for supply.
Namoa, now 22, declined a Herald on Sunday request for an interview.
His defence lawyer, Tiffany Cooper, said she was unable to comment ahead of the sentencing hearing in the High Court at Auckland.
Although Namoa was near the bottom of the pecking order in the drug ring, he still faces a potential term of imprisonment.
Regardless of the final sentence, it's a remarkable fall from grace for a talented young man who once spoke of following in the footsteps of his childhood heroes, Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko, the great Auckland and All Blacks wings.
Sacred Heart College headmaster Patrick Walsh said it was "disappointing and sad" to hear about the poor decisions the former head prefect had made.
"During his time at the college, Lemeki was a well-respected leader with outstanding potential and charisma," Walsh said.
"We hope that Lemeki can receive the support and guidance needed to make personal changes for the better and his future."
A spokeswoman for the Blues said Namoa had not been part of the development group since 2019 and the franchise was unaware of the drug charges.
She referred the Herald on Sunday to the North Harbour Rugby Union chief executive Adrian Donald.
He confirmed Namoa had previously been in the development programme in 2020 and 2021 although he was not currently contracted to the union.
"He's been in our high-performance environment as a talented player and he's been playing club rugby for Massey this year," said Donald.
"We're aware of the charges but can't really comment because everything is still before the court. We've given Lemeki plenty of support and will continue to do so.
"Our vision at North Harbour is 'improving life through rugby'. We think rugby, and sport in general, give people great opportunities and this would be no different, in that sense."
His downward spiral can be traced straight back to his decision to associate with the Comancheros.
Namoa never joined the gang himself.
But some of his childhood friends did when the motorcycle club established a New Zealand chapter in 2018 after senior patched members were deported from Australia.
Seiana Fakaosilea was one of the founding members and, at just 20 years old, was then promoted to be the acting "National Commander" of the Comancheros in 2020.
That same year, Fakaosilea became the principal target of Operation Cincinnati, led by Detective Sergeant Jason Hunt, a nine-month investigation into the distribution of drugs by the Comancheros and Rebels gangs.
Ten of the 14 accused - including Lemeki Namoa - pleaded guilty to the various methamphetamine and MDMA charges they faced on the eve of the High Court trial.
These admissions whittled the trial down to four defendants, with the evidence put before the jury largely focused on an alleged plot to import 600kg of methamphetamine from South Africa.
Fakaosilea pleaded guilty to several charges of possession of Class-A drugs for supply, as well as supplying commercial quantities of methamphetamine.
However, the 22-year-old has denied six other charges, including the alleged conspiracy to import drugs from South Africa, and another alleged shipment from Fiji.
"While the Crown and police have some things right they have an enormous amount wrong," his lawyer Jasper Rhodes told the jury in an opening statement.
The trial is expected to conclude next week.
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@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2022:
This is the article:
Jared Savage
Investigative JournalistThe promising future of a schoolboy rugby star is at a crossroads after getting caught running drugs for the Comancheros motorcycle gang.
Lemeki Namoa was the head prefect for Sacred Heart College in 2017 and captained the prestigious Auckland school's First XV rugby team for two years, including an appearance in the final of the top-tier competition.
The outside back was an age-grade representative for the Blues and on track for a professional career after being named in 2019 as the Super Rugby franchise's development player of the year.
"I've been pretty lucky, [I'll] keep working hard," Namoa said in accepting the award at a black-tie dinner.
"Whatever comes at me, comes at me."
But the following year, the 19-year-old was arrested by detectives from the National Organised Crime Group investigating a drug syndicate run by the Comancheros gang.
About $20,000 cash was found in Namoa's bedroom, as well as a black leather vest with yellow trim. The colours are synonymous with the notorious outlaw motorcycle club from Australia.
He was arrested in December 2020 as part of the second phase of Operation Cincinnati and this month, on the eve of a High Court trial, pleaded guilty to a pair of methamphetamine offences.
One of the charges he admitted was being in possession of 1kg of the Class-A drug for supply.
Namoa, now 22, declined a Herald on Sunday request for an interview.
His defence lawyer, Tiffany Cooper, said she was unable to comment ahead of the sentencing hearing in the High Court at Auckland.
Although Namoa was near the bottom of the pecking order in the drug ring, he still faces a potential term of imprisonment.
Regardless of the final sentence, it's a remarkable fall from grace for a talented young man who once spoke of following in the footsteps of his childhood heroes, Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko, the great Auckland and All Blacks wings.
Sacred Heart College headmaster Patrick Walsh said it was "disappointing and sad" to hear about the poor decisions the former head prefect had made.
"During his time at the college, Lemeki was a well-respected leader with outstanding potential and charisma," Walsh said.
"We hope that Lemeki can receive the support and guidance needed to make personal changes for the better and his future."
A spokeswoman for the Blues said Namoa had not been part of the development group since 2019 and the franchise was unaware of the drug charges.
She referred the Herald on Sunday to the North Harbour Rugby Union chief executive Adrian Donald.
He confirmed Namoa had previously been in the development programme in 2020 and 2021 although he was not currently contracted to the union.
"He's been in our high-performance environment as a talented player and he's been playing club rugby for Massey this year," said Donald.
"We're aware of the charges but can't really comment because everything is still before the court. We've given Lemeki plenty of support and will continue to do so.
"Our vision at North Harbour is 'improving life through rugby'. We think rugby, and sport in general, give people great opportunities and this would be no different, in that sense."
His downward spiral can be traced straight back to his decision to associate with the Comancheros.
Namoa never joined the gang himself.
But some of his childhood friends did when the motorcycle club established a New Zealand chapter in 2018 after senior patched members were deported from Australia.
Seiana Fakaosilea was one of the founding members and, at just 20 years old, was then promoted to be the acting "National Commander" of the Comancheros in 2020.
That same year, Fakaosilea became the principal target of Operation Cincinnati, led by Detective Sergeant Jason Hunt, a nine-month investigation into the distribution of drugs by the Comancheros and Rebels gangs.
Ten of the 14 accused - including Lemeki Namoa - pleaded guilty to the various methamphetamine and MDMA charges they faced on the eve of the High Court trial.
These admissions whittled the trial down to four defendants, with the evidence put before the jury largely focused on an alleged plot to import 600kg of methamphetamine from South Africa.
Fakaosilea pleaded guilty to several charges of possession of Class-A drugs for supply, as well as supplying commercial quantities of methamphetamine.
However, the 22-year-old has denied six other charges, including the alleged conspiracy to import drugs from South Africa, and another alleged shipment from Fiji.
"While the Crown and police have some things right they have an enormous amount wrong," his lawyer Jasper Rhodes told the jury in an opening statement.
The trial is expected to conclude next week.
He should have grievously assaulted someone. He’d get a slap on the hand and a super rugby contract if that happened.
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An experienced and talent bolstered Auckland squad set to challenge the NPC
31 Auckland Rugby Academy graduates in the 2022 squad. 22,000 community registered players, coaches and referees ...
2022 Auckland NPC Squad (Club, School)
Forwards
Robbie Abel (Waitemata)
Sione Ahio (Waitemata, Liston College)
Leni Apisai (Ponsonby)
Adrian Choat (Waitemata, Liston College)
Hamish Dalzell (College Rifles)
Vaiolini Ekuasi (East Tamaki, De La Salle College)
Joshua Fusitua (Grammar TEC, Auckland Grammar School)
Blake Gibson (Ponsonby, Saint Kentigern College)
Alex Hodgman (Eden, Mount Albert Grammar School)
Akira Ioane (Ponsonby, Auckland Grammar School)
Niko Jones (Waitemata, St Peter’s College)
Felix Kalapu (Grammar TEC, Auckland Grammar School)
Jamie Lane (Ponsonby, Sacred Heart College)
James Lay (University, King’s College)
Jordan Lay (University, King’s College)
Terrell Peita (Ponsonby, Mount Albert Grammar School)
Jackson Pugh (Marist Brothers Old Boys)
Marcel Renata (University, King’s College)
Angus Ta'avao (Eden, Dilworth)
Hamdahn Tuipulotu (Ponsonby, St Peter’s College)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Ponsonby, St Peter’s College)
Connor Vest (University)
Soane Vikena (Waitemata, Mount Albert Grammar School)
Backs
Tomas Aoake (Ponsonby, De La Salle College)
Caleb Clark (Ponsonby, Mount Albert Grammar School)
Joel Cobb (Ponsonby, Mount Albert Grammar School)
Corey Evans (Grammar TEC, Auckland Grammar School)
Taufa Funaki (Marist Brothers Old Boys, Sacred Heart College)
Bryce Heem (Grammar TEC, Avondale College)
Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC, King’s College)
Rieko Ioane (Ponsonby, Auckland Grammar School)
AJ Lam (Grammar TEC, St Peter’s College)
Jock McKenzie (Grammar TEC)
Manu Paea (Manukau Rovers, Otahuhu College)
Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC, St Peter’s College)
Salesi Rayasi (Marist Brothers Old Boys)
Zarn Sullivan (College Rifles, King’s College)
Tanielu Tele’a (Marist Brothers Old Boys, Saint Kentigern College)
Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby, St Peter’s College)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (East Tamaki, Otahuhu College)
Sam Wye (Ponsonby, St Peter’s College)
Development Players
Josh Beehre (Grammar TEC)
Che Clark (Grammar TEC, King’s College)
Pasqualle Dunn (East Tamaki)
Sofai Maka (Manukau, De La Salle College)
Caleb Tangitau (Grammar TEC)
Essendon Tuitupou (Ponsonby, Kelston Boys’ High School)
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Removing ABs and injured players, and grouping them by position:
Loosehead Prop
Alex Hodgman
Jordan Lay (covers tighthead)
Joshua FusitiaTighthead Prop
Marcel Renata
Sione Ahio
Hamdahn TuipulotuHooker
Soane Vikena
Leni Apisai
Robbie AbelLock
Hamish Dalzell
Jamie Lane
Connor VestLock/Six
Felix Kalapu
Loose Forward
Adrian Choat
Blake Gibson
Niko Jones
Vaiolini Ekuasi
Terrell Peita
Jackson Pugh (also plays lock?)Halfback
Taufa Funaki
Manu Paea
Sam WyeFirst Five
Simon Hickey
Jock McKenzie (covers fullback)First Five/Second Five
Harry Plummer
Midfield
Corey Evans
Bryce HeemWing/Centre
Tomas Aoake
Wing
Joel Cobb
AJ Lam (covers centre)
Salesi RayasiFullback
Zarn Sullivan (covers first five)
Jordan TrainorDevelopment Players
Josh Beehre - lock
Che Clark - flanker and NZ sevens player, apparently is 6'6''
Pasqualle Dunn - 28 yo midfielder
Sofai Maka - fullback/wing
Caleb Tangitau - NZ sevens player, wing
Essendon Tuitupou - centre/wing/fullback -
@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2022:
Not happy to say the least that there is an Aussie loose forward in there. Where is Wallace Sititi?
An Aussie lock too. Ieremia likes to throw in a couple of weird selections each year (Kata, that AFL guy a few years ago etc)
Speaking of Kata, did he turn up in another squad?
Is the Jock Hobbs tournament back this year? Is Sititi still young enough for that?
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@KiwiMurph said in Auckland Rugby 2022:
Looks like a mid table side to me.
Front row and loose forwards should be pretty good, but lock is a worry, halfbacks are inexperienced, and centre depth is a problem.
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@Tim Of the players not returning they will miss Scrafton the most I think. I spoke to a friend of Jamie Lane who said that he bulked up a lot while playing a season of MLR in the U.S. The lack of Wallace Sititi is a mystery. He was not even in the 'contenders' wider training group named earlier. Makes me suspect that he has signed elsewhere? Or is he still very young, like U19?
Do we know how long Tanielu Tele’a is out injured for? -
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Auckland Rugby 2022:
Tanielu Tele’a
Think he did his ACL, so should be out until next year.
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@Tim Dalzell at 5, a big body at least. Kalapu at 19. Peita at 20 for Jones. ( 2 opensides on the field already). Peita is a talented player. I hope he has a breakout season. His MLR season was disrupted when he had to return to NZ after a horrible family tragedy (parents I think).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300546603/far-north-deaths-investigated-as-a-suspected-murdersuicide -
@Daffy-Jaffy I wouldn't play Jones, but I suspect the coach might. Would be good to see Kalapu get a run.
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Two additions to the coaching group -
The Auckland Rugby coaching group welcomes two new additions to the 2022 make-up. Census Johnston joins as Scrum Coach after coaching experience with Manu Samoa and in France. Census has come back to take on development of the scrum capabilities of the NPC and Auckland Rugby Academy players.Jono Hickey joins the Auckland squad in a coaching capacity. The former Auckland Halfback who racked up 32 caps in the Blue and White Hoops will take on the attack coaching role. Hickey will join brother Simon in the NPC campaign after several years coaching Auckland Bs and Under 19s.
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The quality of the season will depend on how well those locks go. Also Auckland need one of the larger loosies to get up to speed quickly and form a trio with Choat and Gibson
Front row is pretty good at this level. Plenty of options in the backs. Although I hope Heem doesn't get injured because the depth at 13 isn't great
Looking forward to seeing Vikena kick on after some solid SR cameos
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I'm really excited to see Vailoni Ekuasi in this campaign. He's a special talent from what I've seen of him and in Auckland, we know how to produce quality 6s and 8s. Another one from the production line.
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A back row of Choat/Peita/Ekuasi after the inevitable Gibson injury?
