Hautapu alumni Dylan Eti and James Thompson have been floating around the Chiefs rugby squad in 2025.
Hautapu lock Dylan Eti has been with the Chiefs and is now at the Super Rugby Under 20 tournament in Taupō. Photo: Matt Gould
The pair of former St Peter’s School Cambridge students join a large cohort of Hautapu associated players who are involved in 2025 Super Rugby Pacific squads and wider training groups.
Luke Jacobson, Jacob Norris (replacement player), Ollie Norris, Simon Parker and Bradley Slater are others to be with the Chiefs this year.
Ryan Coxon (Western Force), Laghlan McWhannell (Blues) and Waisake Salabiau (Highlanders wider squad) are participating elsewhere.
Coming from the King Country and Bay of Plenty respectively, Eti is a fresh face to Hautapu, while Thompson has moved to Patumahoe (Counties Manukau) after several years at the club.
Waisake Salabiau shows his pace at Highlanders training earlier this year. Photo: Highlanders Rugby Club
Eti was training with the Chiefs in pre-season and is now in the Chiefs Under 20 squad competing in the annual Super Rugby Under 20 tournament at Owen Delany Park in Taupō.
Pool matches were played on Saturday and Tuesday – and the finals will take place this Saturday.
Eti moved to St Peter’s for his final two years of secondary schooling after attending Ōtorohanga College.
“I’ve loved training with the Chiefs. It was definitely a step up. This time last year I was with the first XV, so it’s definitely a big change and an eye opener,” Eti says.
“It’s an insight into where I want to be fulltime in the future. It was a surprise to get invited to train.
“There are a lot of boys in my position that have played NPC, but I ended up getting a call up. I loved it.”
Eti says he enjoys being part of the under 20 squad too, giving him opportunities to develop his game.
He hasn’t forgotten his King Country roots and frequently visits his parents who still reside in Ōtorohanga.
“[My King Country upbringing is what] made me. I’m down there every other weekend. It’s always good to catch up with my mates from primary school there. I love it,” he says.
“Last year when Ōtorohanga played against Hautapu, it was down there. I spent the night back down there and it was amazing. There’s nothing like home.”
The young lock will return to play for Hautapu this year and has a bright future.
“By the end of this year, I’m hoping to make the New Zealand Under 20 squad and hopefully get an NPC contract or game time at least.”
All Blacks Cortez Ratima signs autographs after Captain’s Run, Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, USA, Thursday, 18 July 2024. Photo: Derrick Tuskan
Eti may follow in the footsteps of recent Ōtorohanga connected Super Rugby representatives Toby Arnold (2024 Crusaders injury cover), Haereiti Hetet (Fijian Drua) and Cortez Ratima (Chiefs).
Fellow second-rower Thompson is still at Chiefs training fulltime after joining as injury cover for Fiti Sa.
He’s no stranger to the Chiefs environment, having spent several years there previously.
Thompson is still waiting to make his franchise debut but got a taste of Super Rugby, in 2024 donning the Blues jersey.
He appeared three times for the Auckland-based side before reconnecting with the Chiefs this year.
“To be back with the team I grew up supporting is pretty special,” Whakatāne-born Thompson says.
“First and foremost, I’m keen to get out and debut for the Chiefs. Then get some time in the saddle and have a bit of involvement in important games.
“The biggest learning I took away from playing Super Rugby was the importance of being physical all the time, along with knowing your detail and nailing the little things.”
Thompson was a boarder at St Peter’s from Year 7-13, a school his father also attended.
After leaving St Peter’s he transitioned to Hautapu, playing several seasons there.
He tries to stay in touch with the club as regularly as possible.
“Hautapu is a special place to me. I’m sitting on 48 or 49 games, so I’m itching to get a couple more and tick over to that 50. If I can do that, it would be a proud moment for me,” Thompson says.
Laghlan McWhannell and Jacob Norris are among the Hautapu alumni who have trained with 2025 Super Rugby squads. Photo: Matt Gould
