NPC 2026

Waikato have announced their new coach - Leon Holden. A great appointment given his experience in Europe and NZ. Let's see if the assistant coaches also change.

A previous announcement.

Southland have re-signed Manson, Shearer and Aho until 2027.

Neil Barnes is back for another year. The article says that Teihorangi Walden is the new Academy Manager.

@taniwharugby Hopefully he'll be playing plenty of NPC in those 3 years

@Duluth who knows, maybe a new coach will be able to get more out of him at int, but if he plays more npc, im cool with that too.

It might just be an admin mistake but I note that in the Chiefs player profiles:

@Bovidae ooooh wouldn't complain though

Moana Pasifika sign another former Otago No8.

Waikato is now with New Balance.

@Bovidae ooooooof that does not excite me. I knew a kit supplier was coming and heard it wasn't one anyone would expect. I bought the AUNZ Invitational jersey and wasn't impressed with the quality. The sizing was also crazy small as they fit 2 sizes smaller.

@Yeetyaah The Force have a kit by New Balance. As long as the design doesn't change as Waikato is one of the few PUs who haven't changed their jersey over time.

Heard Auckland head coach Steven Bates coaching group has been moved on
Jono Hickey has been pushed into a role with the union so I guess Bates is looking for a new coaching team be interesting to where he’s goes ,could’nt be any worse than looking at Doug Sanft from Marist who had success with Manukau and would have a great understanding of what’s running in the Auckland comp

Taranaki needs to new head coach.

Two more seasons for Reon Graham

The weekly draw is in the article.

@Canes4life I am guessing Otago selected them for the chance of a good crowd.

Good to see Wellington have ditched Jerry Collins stadium and are back at the Cake Tin.

How the hell is that good? Stadium will look pretty much empty.

@Yeetyaah said in NPC 2026:

Good to see Wellington have ditched Jerry Collins stadium and are back at the Cake Tin.

How the hell is that good? Stadium will look pretty much empty.

They were getting way smaller crowds in Porirua. What they need to do is erect a couple stands in Petone or Hutt Rec like they did a few years back and play the games there. Better than Porirua which has shit access and is too far away from the Hutt Valley and the city for people to care.

Or at least share the love around.

@Canes4life yeah coz parking and access to the Caketin is easy???

@Yeetyaah said in NPC 2026:

@Canes4life yeah coz parking and access to the Caketin is easy???

The Cake Tin has plenty of faults but parking and access to that stadium isn’t one lol.

@Canes4life said in NPC 2026:

@Yeetyaah said in NPC 2026:

Good to see Wellington have ditched Jerry Collins stadium and are back at the Cake Tin.

How the hell is that good? Stadium will look pretty much empty.

They were getting way smaller crowds in Porirua. What they need to do is erect a couple stands in Petone or Hutt Rec like they did a few years back and play the games there. Better than Porirua which has shit access and is too far away from the Hutt Valley and the city for people to care.

Or at least share the love around.

While I'd be keen to walk to a game of NPC. With games in the Valley. We just could not handle the parking needs around Hutt Rec or Petone. Issues with the stands at the moment too?

@SouthernMann said in NPC 2026:

@Canes4life said in NPC 2026:

@Yeetyaah said in NPC 2026:

Good to see Wellington have ditched Jerry Collins stadium and are back at the Cake Tin.

How the hell is that good? Stadium will look pretty much empty.

They were getting way smaller crowds in Porirua. What they need to do is erect a couple stands in Petone or Hutt Rec like they did a few years back and play the games there. Better than Porirua which has shit access and is too far away from the Hutt Valley and the city for people to care.

Or at least share the love around.

While I'd be keen to walk to a game of NPC. With games in the Valley. We just could not handle the parking needs around Hutt Rec or Petone. Issues with the stands at the moment too?

It’s the same in Porirua though, which is probably why they ended up ditching the venue.

I always thought if they tidied up Rugby League park it would be unreal for afternoon games. Terraces and all

@DurryMexted said in NPC 2026:

I always thought if they tidied up Rugby League park it would be unreal for afternoon games. Terraces and all

Not a bad shout, but I guess the same issue remains, parking would be a nightmare there wouldn't it?

@Canes4life said in NPC 2026:

@DurryMexted said in NPC 2026:

I always thought if they tidied up Rugby League park it would be unreal for afternoon games. Terraces and all

Not a bad shout, but I guess the same issue remains, parking would be a nightmare there wouldn't it?

Could use the parking at the old indoor sports centre, but yeah Newtown is generally bloody awful for parking

Bay of Plenty potential Shield challenge round 3 woohoo, haven't had one for a while. Probably wont get one unless this happens either

I'm lead to believe Bailyn Sullivan has signed with the Magpies.

@Landers92 April fools surely.

@MacDazzler would say so but it’s still a belter. Get it done I say.