Wellington-born Xavier Numia has built a reputation for his powerful ball carrying and athleticism after being converted to the front row from the midfield early in his career. A loyal and passionate member of the Oriental Rongotai Football Club, he has progressed through Wellington, Hurricanes and New Zealand representative teams and most recently wore the black jersey for the All Blacks XV in 2023. His selection to the All Blacks is testament to his character and focus after overcoming a number of injuries earlier in his career. Numia, who debuted for the Hurricanes  in 2019, was a cornerstone of the club’s 2026 Super Rugby Pacific title.