Team

Salmon, 26, is returning to the Arrows for a second campaign after featuring in all 16 matches (12 starts) for the club in his debut season.

The five-foot-eleven, 255-pound forward enjoyed a breakout year in 2022, racking up 518 carry metres on 79 carries, 198 ruck arrivals, 133 tackles (nine dominant), six defenders beaten, five offloads, and one try across his first season with the club.

Following the campaign, Arrow #65 was recognized with Forward of the Year honours at the team’s annual awards ceremony.

Salmon first joined the Arrows from New Zealand National Provincial Championship side Tasman Mako; the prop then returned to the Nelson-based club over the MLR off-season and has now made 39 appearances over six seasons for the Mako. He helped guide Tasman to three consecutive NPC Premiership Final appearances between 2019 and 2021, earning back-to-back Premiership championships in 2019 and 2020.

Hailing from Christchurch, Salmon played his grassroots rugby with Nelson on the Tasman club circuit.

Updated: Nov. 8, 2022