Coaching & Management Staff

The Linton Cobras Rugby League Club, Premier Mens Team Coaching And Management Staff for 2025 are:

• Coach: Mr. Dennis Nepia
• Manager: Mr Carl Ewart, Ph: 021448767 or Email: carl.ewart3@nzdf.mil.nz
• Assistant Manager: Vaccant
• Trainer: Lazir Mischewski           
• Strapper:  TBC

Since the collapse of the Manawatu Premier Competition in 2017, the club has been busy trying to keep the history of the men’s side alive by arranging one off games and other initiatives to keep players engaged. One concept that has been discussed is the creation of player numbers for any player that represents the Cobras in a Premier match.

Unfortunately, we are not aware of any records that have been kept to record players who have represented the club. This has created concerns amongst the current team that if we do establish player numbers, how do we do this without disrespecting the players that have gone before us.

So the club has agreed upon to start recording the players from the 2020 match against the Dannevirke Tigers. This game coincides with the clubs 30 year anniversary and the involvement of the current management set up. But to ensure we acknowledged past players, we will start recording the player’s numbers at 301 to represent 30 years, and the players that have worn the jersey before us.

In 2021 the MRL re-established the Men’s Competition by creating a Spring Competition. The first season started with 6 teams which the Cobras ended up going down 22-18 Kia Ora Warriors in the Grand Final. The 2022 season saw the Competition expend to 8 teams, with the Cobras losing in the Semi Finals to eventual winners Dannevirke Tigers. The 2023 season again saw growth with the Competition expanding to 9 teams with the Cobras finishing in 5th place after beating Takaro Taniwha 30-26 in the Plate Final. In 2024 the Cobras made the top four after winning 5 of the 7 regular round games before going down to Dannevirke Tigers 42-38 in double extra time.

The player numbers are as follows: 

301 Logan Afoa

302 Rangatira Ropati

303 Nikolao Ioane

304 Taiaha Mangu

305 Jarred Deal

306 Troy Sherriff

307 Jason Franklin

308 Harry Black

309 Hosea Taripo

310 Darcy Cook

311 Finbarr Reynolds

312 Mua Falemai

313 Caleb Riddick

314 Troydon Lochore

315 Tomo Vella

316 Isaiah Brennan

317 Pita Marshall

318 Gus Nov

319 Pita Dunn

320 Alex Lam Sam

321 Bronson Lum

322 Taniora Te Kanawa

323 Matiu Kaifa

324 Jayden Cantwell

325 Josh Newman

326 Coby Devery

327 Ricky Ion

328 Julius Faualii

329 Donald Hira

330 Dillon Coatsworth

331 Dennis Nepia

332 Vita Tanginoa

333 Ray Williams

334 Sione Akau

335 Nigel Nuku

336 Raui Mason

337 Hamiora Toia

338 Mata Tanginoa

339 Tane Raupita

340 Treden Winterburn

341 Leo Tanginoa

342 Max Duncan

343 Shea Te Hae-Duncan

344 Tamatoa Ropati               

345 Maitlin Kakau

346 Nicko Fakahau

347 Adam Eramhia

348 Paula Havea

349 Henry Te Kaute

350 Joseph Kairae

351 Hunter Anderson

352 Andrew Solomona

353 Abraham Erihe

354 Levani Rova

355 Lazir Mischewski

356 Garry Reilly

357 Steel Purcell

358 Navarone McLeod-Jones

359 Ceder Vaimea

360 Imre Duncan

361 Freedom Lemaua

362 Henning Petersen

363 Tevita Faukafa

364 Salaikeni Salaikeni

365 Bailey Taylor

366 Anaru Turner

367 Feo Asiata

368 Jordon Ronayne-Robertsomn

369 Kees Greig

370 Rikki Simmonds

371 Kereti Edwards

372 Cole Lavin

373 JP Taute

374 Caleb Thomas

375 Longolongo Vailahi

376 Zeon McNabb 

377 Niko Ruri

378 Cameron Milham

379 Isaiah Robati

380 Sonny Watson

381 Ofisa Tiatia

382 Hayden Bell

383 Leon Walker

384 Nela Vaivela

385 Jon Bartlett

386 Andre Townsend

387 Chance Whati

388 Shaolin Pere Davis

389 EJ Olsen

390 Tyler Stewart

391 Nathan Thompson

392 Izaak Pomana

393 Jamie Williams

394 Ariki Linkhorn

395 Leif Schwencke

396 Greg Budd

397 Joshua Kaio

398 Taani Finau

399 Brandon Phelan-kameta

400 Jordan Rapata

401 Keanu Watson

402 Shay Uri-Erihe

403 Carson Hepi

404 Patrick Autagavaia

405 Mafa Metuli Tuluauau

406 Kingston Tamati

407

Correct as at Round 3 2025 vs Boxon