@SouthernMann said in NPC 2026:
@SouthernMann said in NPC 2026:
There is a pre-season shield challenge against North Otago in a couple of weeks. It should paint a bit of a picture about aho is in contention.
I've booked flights to Queenstown then a rental car to head to the Otago shield defence against Mid Canterbury in Alexandra on July 24.
Fog and 3c in Alexandra in July. Has the makings of an absolute classic.
Will pack the Canterbury quartered shorts to match up with a pair of jandals.
@SouthernMann so...normal weekend attire?
@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:
Levi reckons there a few lads up Japan that will be returning for Npc He mentioned Sam Caird and Josh Goodhue were returning for Northland which I had heard about myself but 3 or 4 lads which off the top of the head he couldn’t quite remember.
Possibly Jackson Hemopo who may have played his last game for Mitsubishi Dynaboars in their promotion/relegation game against Division 2 team Shuttles Aichi ,
Asked a contact about Hemopo. Not likely to be playing NPC. He’s holding out and hoping for another Japanese contract. If they don’t come in he will be looking at UK/Europe.
Would love nothing more than to bring him back down South so I’ll hold out some hope JJ gets in his ear lol
I went to watch the top-of-the-table clash in Waikato club rugby (Marist v Hautapu) where Tai Cribb was a late addition to the Marist reserves. It makes me wonder if he is back with Waikato.
Hearing last years Liston College college midfielder Jonathon Simote could be signed to a full contract to Harbour
Simote was selected for the Blues U18 team last year but did his ACL in R7 against Kings
Doing his rehab through Harbour atm
This kid is special ,110kgs 5’10 has pace power in spades completely destroyed every backline in the A1 comp before his injury
If this lad gets on the field Super franchies will falling over themselves to sign him
Every rugby pundit to whom i have spoken to that are very good judges of the game that has seen him play just shakes their head in disbelief
Hope the Blues are all over this kid
@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:
Hearing last years Liston College college midfielder Jonathon Simote could be signed to a full contract to Harbour
Simote was selected for the Blues U18 team last year but did his ACL against in R7 against Kings
Doing his rehab through Harbour atm
This kid is special ,110kgs 5’10 has pace power in spades completely destroyed every backline in the A1 comp before his injury
If this lad gets on the field Super franchies will falling over themselves to sign him
Every rugby pundit to whom i have spoken to that are very good judges of the game that has seen him play just shakes their head in disbelief
Hope the Blues are all over this kid
So almost certain not to play for the Blues then…
Nui Muriwai gets around (Waikato->Wellington->NH). I wonder if this points to being part of the Blues?
Bailyn Sullivan confirmed as coming home this year (which obviously explains him being on the outer at the Canes the last 2 weeks 
).
Hope the Magpies name some other players soon as the team has been depleted this year.
@Steven-Harris He was in Harbour's squad last year, but he didn't play a game.
So Waikato won't have either of their main midfield backs from last season (G Wrampling, B Sullivan). We might get the use of ALB but otherwise it will be the young guns (Aki Tuivailala and Austin Anderson). Tuivailala being listed as out with concussion for most of the SR season is a concern. Depending on who is at 1st 5, D'Angelo Leuila might spend more time at 2nd 5. Sam Vaka is playing Waikato club rugby so there might be more to that. We'll see who plays HKC next week.
@UpTheHarbs up until 2 weeks ago he was on PUD but thankfully Harbour have come round , only know this because I tried to get him to the Taniwha
@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:
Darby Lancaster has been picked up by Hawkes Bay for the 2026 Npc season is what got passed on to me
No teams in the Blues franchise could fit him in
Bah, we don't have a great history with Aussie imports, they're generally shit, or really shit.
I watched a Waikato club game on the weekend and noted that Dan Hollinshead is playing for Morrinsville Sports. I had seen his name on their team list, so he could be another option at 1st 5 if he is now based in the Waikato. Some players looked to have been pulled from club duty for the Waikato XV game midweek.
Waikato RU is acknowledging Taha Kemara's selection for the Māori so that suggests he isn't joining Ta$man.
Article from the Southland Tribune about the Vaihu signing.
Reads like he was an easy pick up, wanting to play with his MP mates.
@SouthernMann Southland are on a spree this week. They’ve just announced the signings of Josh Augustine and Charlie Marsh. Nice to see Augustine bounce back from a nasty run of injuries.
Great to see a few a few Moana Boys picking up Npc gigs
Joel Lam Otago
Glenn Vaihu Southland
Millennium Saniveri i would imagine would be back at Auckland ?
Miracle Fai’ilagi
Patrick Pelligrini
Israel Leota
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa back to Southland
Ale Aho back to Southland
Allan Craig back to Northland
Chris Apoua back to Northland although that may change
Solomon Alaimalo back to Northland
Faletoi Peni heading to France
Not to sure about these players if the are returning to their respective unions
Counties Manukau
JImmy Tupou
Tevita Ofa
Jonathan Taumateine
Wellington Lions
Dominic Ropeti
JGB
Ta$man Mako
WIlliam Havilli
Canterbury
Tevita Latu
Bop
Lalamilo Lalamilo
Unsure about these players
Nngani Laumape
Julian Savea
Tito Tuipulotu
Any word on any of these players ?
Jimmy Tupou, Tevita Ofa, Augy Pulu, have had a few club games in Counties. A couple of the Moli brothers have had games for Karaka during the season. Atu Moli would be a good get for Counties. Some of these players will be busy with Tonga.
Former Taranaki player AJ Lemalu is playing for East Coast Bays in North Harbour club rugby.
@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:
Miracle Fai’ilagi
IIRC he signed until the end of 2026 with the Magpies.
@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:
Unsure about these players
Nngani Laumape
Julian Savea
Tito TuipulotuAny word on any of these players ?
Funnily enough I was having a discussion about Laumape today. He is returning for Manawatu this season. He had operations on both of his knees but sounds like he will be ok for NPC. He is hoping to pick up a gig in France.
Some new faces, and a few backing up from Sat club rugby in the squad to play Hong Kong China. Liam Anderson is the captain of Fraser Tech, only 21.
Only selected from club rugby which explains why some current non-SR Waikato reps aren't included.
@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:
Great to see a few a few Moana Boys picking up Npc gigs
Joel Lam Otago
Glenn Vaihu Southland
Millennium Saniveri i would imagine would be back at Auckland ?
Miracle Fai’ilagi
Patrick Pelligrini
Israel LeotaSemisi Tupou Ta’eiloa back to Southland
Ale Aho back to Southland
Allan Craig back to Northland
Chris Apoua back to Northland although that may change
Solomon Alaimalo back to NorthlandFaletoi Peni heading to France
Not to sure about these players if the are returning to their respective unions
Counties Manukau
JImmy Tupou
Tevita Ofa
Jonathan TaumateineWellington Lions
Dominic Ropeti
JGBTa$man Mako
WIlliam HavilliCanterbury
Tevita LatuBop
Lalamilo LalamiloUnsure about these players
Nngani Laumape
Julian Savea
Tito TuipulotuAny word on any of these players ?
I think Lalomilo Lalomilo has gone to France. @bones can you confirm?
