Wellington Lions Head Coach Tamati Ellison has named his 40-man squad tasked with defending the Bunnings NPC title, kicking off next weekend. The squad features All Blacks Ardie Savea and Dane Coles, as well as 20 players who saw the field in Super Rugby this season. After two successful Ranfurly Shield defences to kick off season 2023, the team get their Bunnings NPC title defence underway away to Manawatu, on August 5th.