A Chiefs representative since 2020, he has represented Waikato and most recently the Northland Taniwha in the Bunnings NPC and was a member of the All Blacks XV in 2024. <\/p>\n
Simon Parker of the Chiefs.Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
What Scott Robertson says: \u201cSimon Parker had an impressive Super Rugby season with the Chiefs and brings a valuable skill set and physicality that we are looking forward to working with. He has the ability to play blindside or No. 8 and has gained experience in a number of New Zealand representative teams, so we believe he is ready for the step up.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust like his accuracy, he\u2019s a big man that\u2019s physical, but he\u2019s really accurate and he\u2019s intimidating.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tevita Mafileo <\/p>\n
Position: Prop<\/p>\n
Discover more<\/p>\n
Born: February 4, 1998 <\/p>\n
Weight: 124kg <\/p>\n
Height: 1.88m <\/p>\n
Province: Bay of Plenty <\/p>\n
Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes <\/p>\n
It is the second time Mafileo has been called into an All Blacks squad as injury cover before a tour to Argentina, having previously been called up in 2023. The prop has represented New Zealand at several levels, including selection for the New Zealand Barbarians Schools team out of St Kentigern College, the New Zealand Under-19 and Under-20 age grade sides, and the All Blacks XV squad. <\/p>\n
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n In 2019, he leapfrogged the conventional Bunnings NPC pathway by making his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs, even before playing provincial rugby. Mafileo is known for his scrummaging strength and solid set-piece reliability. <\/p>\n Injury cover for Tyrel Lomax.<\/p>\n What Robertson says: \u201cGreat straight back on him. Strong, can play both sides, so he\u2019s perfect for a touring party, we\u2019re really pleased for him because he\u2019s just been there and worked at his craft and his opportunity has come.\u201d<\/p>\n Kyle Preston <\/p>\n Position: Halfback<\/p>\n Born: September 13, 1999 <\/p>\n Weight: 80kg<\/p>\n AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n Height: 1.77m<\/p>\n Province: Wellington<\/p>\n Super Rugby Pacific: Crusaders <\/p>\n Wellington-born halfback Preston has turned hard work into success with his All Blacks call-up coming just two years after his Bunnings NPC debut for Wellington in 2023. <\/p>\n The 25-year-old was one of the stand-out rookies of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season after heading south to the Crusaders and making every post a winner, including a hat-trick of tries on debut. A product of Tawa College, his talent was always evident, and he scored 21 tries in 20 games during his first season of senior club rugby for Old Boys University. He played every game of the 2024 NPC season for Wellington and was the team\u2019s top try scorer, including the winner in the final against Bay of Plenty. <\/p>\n Preston\u2019s fitness is a strength and his four-minute, 13-second bronco time is a Crusaders record. <\/p>\n AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n Injury cover for Cameron Roigard\/Noah Hotham<\/p>\n What Robertson says: \u201cWe\u2019ve been sort of tracking him in the last year or so, obviously won an NPC off the back of him, he came on, he\u2019s a great finisher, he was incredible in the final for the Crusaders, and that\u2019s what we just need potentially in the next few games. Someone that\u2019s performed recently, especially with the great kicking game he\u2019s got and he\u2019s a hard worker and his speed of passes is bang on.\u201d<\/p>\n Leroy Carter <\/p>\n Position: Utility back <\/p>\n Born: February 24, 1999 <\/p>\n Weight: 86kg <\/p>\n Height: 1.76m <\/p>\n AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n Province: Bay of Plenty <\/p>\n Super Rugby Pacific: Chiefs <\/p>\n Tauranga-born Carter has been best known for his scintillating play for the All Blacks Sevens in recent years and was nominated for World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2023 after being part of New Zealand\u2019s World Series winning squad. <\/p>\n Two years later, he was showing the same wide range of attacking skills, pace and determination for the Chiefs as he scored nine tries during his debut season on the way to the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific final. Carter has long been marked for big things after being the MVP at the 2017 Condor Sevens while at Tauranga Boys\u2019 College, then a member of the New Zealand Under 20 team and Bay of Plenty\u2019s Steamers Bunnings NPC squad in 2019. <\/p>\n What Robertson says: \u201cThrough the season you just saw how many line breaks he makes, how good is he at the breakdown, the covering tackles, efforts off the ball; he\u2019s tough. Could be probably the fastest in New Zealand, on record time. He\u2019s got a lot of positives for him and he\u2019ll be welcomed into the All Blacks and keep working on that craft. He can bring a lot of energy.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s played a lot at nine, covered wing and at centre. Most teams have players like that, especially if you want to split your bench.\u201d<\/p>\n