18 August 2025
Keep an eye out for Aotearoa’s next superstars making their mark on the NRL stage; since Round 12, eight additional young guns who started off as local talents in Aotearoa, went on to make successful NRL debuts.
Benaiah Ioelu debuted for the Roosters in Round 12, starting at hooker in their win over the Sharks. He played 40 minutes, showcasing his slick skills with four runs, one linebreak assist, one tackle break, two offloads, and 19 tackles. The 21-year-old Ōtara native has since made seven topside appearances, most recently in their Round 23 blowout of the Dolphins. Ioelu featured in the 2020 New Zealand Resident 16s squad, alongside fellow young guns Demetric Sifakula, Jacob Laban, and Salesi Foketi.
Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana made his first NRL appearance for the Knights in Round 14, coming off the bench in their comeback win over Manly. The Māngere East junior played 24 minutes, filling in the middle despite being a specialist second rower. Salesa-Leaumoana performed admirably, contributing six runs and 14 tackles. To date, the 21-year-old has played three additional first grade games since his successful debut.
Tukimihia Simpkins returned to the NRL for the first time since 2021, making his Titans debut in Round 15 as an interchange prop. In 22 minutes he made an impressive 60 run metres, 18 tackles, two tackle breaks, and an offload. A Pikiao junior from Rotorua, Simpkins debuted for the Tigers in 2021 before a stint in the Queensland Cup, joining the Titans in late 2024. His size, mobility, and footwork added spark to the forward pack in their win over Manly.
Aublix Tawha made an impressive NRL debut for the Dolphins in Round 16, playing 22 minutes off the bench. A Tūrangawaewae junior, Tawha showed outstanding grit, getting through lots of hard mahi in the middle as a smaller forward. Tawha represented the New Zealand Resident 18s and New Zealand 18s Select in 2017, and Waikato in the 2019 NZRL National Men’s Premiership. He has since played six games for Redcliffe, including three starts.
Temple Kalepo debuted for the Cowboys in Round 18 against the Storm, entering late in the second half from the bench at hooker. The Ellerslie junior put on a strong performance, making four runs for 53 metres, one linebreak, two tackle breaks and 25 tackles. Previously part of the Warriors and Knights systems, Kalepo moved to Queensland on a train-and-trial deal with the Cowboys. He was a decorated junior in Aotearoa, part of the 2018 New Zealand Resident 18s, the last New Zealand Junior Kiwis side in 2019, the same year he was named NZRL 18s Player of the Year.
Tevita Naufahu made his NRL debut for the Dolphins in Round 19 on the wing, running for 176 metres, making four tackle breaks, and a linebreak. The 19-year-old wing/centre comes from a rugby union background, starring for the St. Kentigern’s College first XV before joining the Dolphins system in 2024. He made his third topside appearance in Round 23, when he scored a double against the Roosters.
Chris Vea’ila debuted in Round 20, in the Cronulla Sharks’ centres. He had a dream debut, scoring a try, making five tackle breaks and a linebreak in their win over the Roosters. A Pt Chevalier and Waitemata junior, he was recruited by the Knights in 2019 as a 14-year-old and progressed through Harold Matthews, SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup before linking with Cronulla in 2023.
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava made a long-anticipated debut for the Warriors in Round 22, after serving as 18th several times this season. The Otahuhu junior and De La Salle College product came off the bench, playing 24 minutes in the middle, producing seven runs, one offload, and 20 tackles. The 20-year-old has been a mainstay in the Warriors NSW Cup squad, with 43 games under his belt. He is a versatile utility player, having started at centre, edge forward, middle forward and from the bench.
