NZ Under 20s Captain
Haki Wiseman named NZ U20 captain
Selected to lead the New Zealand Under 20s at the Junior World Cup in Georgia, Haki carries the academy programme onto a world stage.
In partnership with
Downer Taranaki Rugby Academy
Growing The Whole Athlete
55 athletes. Three programmes. One clear pathway from Taranaki turf to higher honours.
55Athletes
1998Established
3Programmes
6Development Pillars
The Pathway
Three Programmes, One Vision
Our academy is made up of 55 athletes across Male Academy, Female Academy, and Pre-Academy programmes. A further group of athletes sit inside a Chiefs-invested programme based in Hamilton, studying through Waikato University or WINTEC and returning home to Taranaki for our representative season.
Male Academy
25
Senior pathway feeding the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls and Super Rugby franchises.
Female Academy
18
Senior pathway feeding the Central Roofing Taranaki Whio and Super Rugby Aupiki franchises.
Pre-Academy
12
Emerging talent identified through schools and clubs, bridging junior reps into the senior academy.
Chiefs-Based
8
A Chiefs-invested group based in Hamilton, overseen by Chiefs staff while studying through Waikato University or WINTEC.
Our Six Development Pillars
- Technical
- Tactical
- Mental Skills
- Nutrition
- Personal Development
- Video Analysis
The Squad
2026 Academy Athletes
Filter by programme to meet the players coming through.
Female Academy
Caitlin Hunger
Female Academy
Savana LEathers
Female Academy
Holly Karuna
Female Academy
Eliza Agent
Female Academy
Coco Tihema
Female Academy
Phoenix Fraser
Female Academy
Libby Francis
Female Academy
Hayley Storer
Male Academy
Riley Mitchell
Male Academy
Jerem Sinclair
Male Academy
Isi Tuutafaiva
Male Academy
Xavier Scott
Male Academy
Cody MacPhail
Male Academy
Sam MacIntosh
Male Academy
Chanel Filiva’a
Male Academy
Zahn Hay-Vaga
Male Academy
Jamie Viljoen
Male Academy
Khan Henderson
Male Academy
Beau Henderson
Male Academy
Zebby Uini-Faiva
Male Academy
Liam Davis
Male Academy
Suli Pahulu
Male Academy
Brayden Neilson
Male Academy
Kava Vainakolo
Male Academy
Solomone Mailulu
Male Academy
Walter Tausala
Male Academy
Lomise Toaisi
Chiefs-Based
Haki Wiseman
Male Academy
Dane Johnston
Female Academy
Taya Bailey
Chiefs-Based
Bradley Tocker
No athletes match this filter.
Our Story
Built In Taranaki Since 1998
Nearly three decades of developing world-class rugby talent on home soil.
1998
Academy Founded
The Taranaki Rugby Academy is established to identify and develop the next generation of provincial and national talent.
Today
55 Athletes Across Four Programmes
The academy now develops athletes through Male, Female, Pre-Academy, and a Chiefs-invested cohort based in Hamilton.
Where We Train
A Home For High Performance
TRFU High Performance Centre
Our athletes train in a purpose-built environment designed for elite preparation. From strength and conditioning to video analysis, the facility brings every part of the high-performance system into one place.
- Strength and conditioning gym
- Video and analytics suite
- Recovery and rehabilitation space
- Full-size training pitches
Pathway In Action
From Academy To Higher Honours
Current members and recent graduates achieving higher honours
NZ Under 20s
Dane Johnston & Bradley Tocker selected for NZ U20s
Dane and Bradley join Haki Wiseman in the New Zealand Under 20 squad for the 2026 Junior World Cup
Super Rugby Aupiki
Louise Blyde called into Chiefs Manawa
Former Central Roofing Taranaki Whio outside back Louise Blyde steps up to Super Rugby Aupiki with the Chiefs Manawa squad.
NZ Universities Women
Four Taranaki athletes in the NZ Universities Women
Kelsyn McCook, Rosie Moffitt, Hayley Coogan and Louise Blyde featured in the NZ Universities Women's squad that recently played Samoa.
The Team Behind The Team
Academy Staff
George Miles
Pathways Strength & Conditioning
Kate Duncan
Professional Development
Teihorangi Walden
Academy Manager
Proudly supported by
The Downer Taranaki Rugby Academy is proudly powered by Downer, supporting the next generation of Taranaki rugby talent on and off the field.