Scotsman Hamilton Burr will look to add to his 58 Waikato caps in 2026. Photo: Matt Gould
Four players and one coach with King Country connections are part of Waikato rugby’s provincial squad.
Ōtorohanga products Taipari Quinn and Dylan Eti, former Taupō-nui-a-Tia College student David Lewai and Piopio-raised Cortez Ratima are included in the 40-man Mooloo team to contest the 2026 NPC.
Prop Quinn and lock Eti have earned their way to fulltime contracts after making their Waikato débuts last year.
Te Awamutu Sports’ Austin Anderson is once again in the Waikato squad after returning from the Brumbies. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
The pair appeared seven and eight times respectively.
Quinn attended Ōtorohanga Primary School and college. He plays his club rugby for Fraser Tech in Hamilton.
“It’s a feeling like no other running out onto that field,” the fifth generation Ōtorohanga resident told The News last year.
Eti moved to St Peter’s in Cambridge for his final two years of secondary schooling after attending Ōtorohanga College.
One of the 2026 Rugby Almanack of New Zealand’s five promising players of the year for 2025, Eti has continued his promising career with strong performances at Hautapu – the Breweries Shield premier champions.
Versatile 2025-2026 New Zealand Under 20 back Lewai, fresh off the junior world championship, represents University in Hamilton.
He is yet to be capped by Waikato.
Te Awamutu-born Waikato captain Mitch Jacobson and Ōtorohanga product Dylan Eti are among the 11 Hautapu players in the NPC squad. Photo: Waikato Rugby
Ōtorohanga Sports’ Ratima is one of the many All Blacks named, hence the larger Waikato squad.
Former Ōtorohanga College student and employee Jackson Willison is one of Leon Holden’s assistant coaches alongside Nathan White and Aaron Cruden.
Previously Hautapu head coach, Willison was succeeded at the Cambridge club this season by ex-King Country coach Isaac Boss.
