New Zealand's Super Rugby clubs reveal next-generation rosters after first public WTG draft

All five New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific franchises have finalised their wider training groups (WTG) for the 2027 season after completing a nine-round draft — the first edition opened to media scrutiny — that laid bare which young players are most in demand across the country’s top clubs.

New Zealand Rugby introduced the WTG draft format three years ago as a structured way for franchises to supplement their squads with emerging talent during the NPC season. Each club could sign up to six players before the draft deadline, with the remaining spots on their 12-man rosters filled through the draft itself. The Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes each locked in the full six pre-draft signings, while the Crusaders secured four and the Highlanders three, triggering a staggered draft start to level the playing field before the three full-strength sides began selecting.

Because pre-draft signings are not compulsory, the draft was effectively treated as beginning at round four — the point at which the Highlanders made their first selection. The Crusaders entered at round five, and the remaining three franchises joined at round seven.

The draft operates without regional quotas, though a home-region tie-breaking rule applies if two clubs select the same player in the same round. That scenario did not arise this year. Teams are also required to fill each positional category — loosehead prop, hooker, tighthead prop, lock, loose forward, halfback, first five, midfield and outside back — before doubling up anywhere on the roster.

That positional rule was tested immediately when the Highlanders attempted to select Jae Broomfield with their first pick despite already holding Sam Nemec-Vial, a standout from Otago’s NPC campaign, at loosehead prop. With other positions still unfilled, the selection was denied and Broomfield was subsequently claimed by the Crusaders.

The Blues and Crusaders were granted exemptions allowing them to carry two first fives and two locks respectively among their pre-draft six. The Chiefs indicated they would not select a lock in their WTG, the Hurricanes opted against taking a hooker, and the Highlanders chose not to add a first five.

Among the pre-draft signings confirmed before the source was published, the Blues secured Esilie Fono, Leka Tu’ungafasi, Cohen Norie, Cam Howell, Tom Barham and Harlyn Saunoa. The Chiefs signed Keightley Watson, JJ Pokai, Rui Farrant, Andrew Knewstubb, Haki Wiseman and Nathan Stephens. The Hurricanes locked in Logan Wallace, Matolu Petaia, Jai Tamati, Will Cole, Gary Basson and Lukas Ripley. The Crusaders’ pre-draft group included Monu Moli among others confirmed at the time of publication.