NPC 2026

I went along to watch the Waikato XV-Hong Kong China game. Thankfully the rain stopped for most of the game. A decent enough spectacle although the floodlights aren't great so catching the ball was often a lottery when kicked high. Waikato scored 4 tries to 3 but HKC got a 79th min penalty to win 24-22. Given very few of the Waikato XV team will be anywhere near the NPC squad I think coach Leon Holden will be happy enough. Wearing the New Balance kit too, which doesn't look much different to previous years in style.

Israel Leota signing for Harbour:

@UpTheHarbs Leota is an awesome pick up

@Bovidae said in NPC 2026:

Jai Tamati is gone for the season after a knee cartilage injury in Manawatū club game requiring surgery.

Bugger, I really liked the look of this boy. Reckon he got higher ceiling than Viljoen.

@Dan54 said in NPC 2026:

@Bovidae said in NPC 2026:

Jai Tamati is gone for the season after a knee cartilage injury in Manawatū club game requiring surgery.

Bugger, I really liked the look of this boy. Reckon he got higher ceiling than Viljoen.

There's word he's signed for the Canes and Viljoen could be on the way out. But will find out eventually.

Miracle is heading to Division 2 Japan

@Dancefloor said in NPC 2026:

Miracle is heading to Division 2 Japan

That's annoying from a Magpies point of view as he was listed as signed until the end of 2026 when he joined last year. Confirmed by him not being included in the returning Magpies on their instagram today.

It was posted a while ago but sad Muriwai is leaving Wellington was really good when he was here with Preston in the Abs squad going to test our depth or lack of it

@mikey07 said in NPC 2026:

It was posted a while ago but sad Muriwai is leaving Wellington was really good when he was here with Preston in the Abs squad going to test our depth or lack of it

Where is he off to?

@WoodysRFC Harbour. I still think he might be one of the Blues halfbacks if they all leave.

@Bovidae said in NPC 2026:

@WoodysRFC Harbour. I still think he might be one of the Blues halfbacks if they all leave.

Seems like that's the case too, what a turnover of players.

Israel Leota to play for North Harbour in the Npc. Thought he was Broncos bound.

@SBW1 said in NPC 2026:

Israel Leota to play for North Harbour in the Npc. Thought he was Broncos bound.

Might be time for you to jump off internet explorer

@SouthernMann it does seems like a colossal fuck up by the Highlanders not to have the bloke playing somewhere in the region. Especially with Southland bringing in a journeyman from the Reds to fill the exact gap Ainsley would have plugged.

@handa457 Ainsley came back to NZ unexpectedly.

He had signed with Saracens after his stint in France but came back to NZ for personal reasons and had an ongoing back issue which helped him get out of the contract.

In Otago and Southlands defense, they likely had their props sorted long before Ainsley was available. It’s just unfortunate and Canterburys gain.

@Landers92 No it is legit. Why play Npc if you are going back to the Nrl?

@handa457 said in NPC 2026:

@SouthernMann it does seems like a colossal fuck up by the Highlanders not to have the bloke playing somewhere in the region. Especially with Southland bringing in a journeyman from the Reds to fill the exact gap Ainsley would have plugged.

I disagree. It is not the Highlanders job to recruit players for Otago and Southland. It is the Highlanders job to get the best players for the Highlanders.

As @landers92 mentions the teams would have had their squads pretty well confirmed.

In an ideal world he would have stayed within region. The Highlanders just need to have him playing.

I'm just a bit sour on it, as the Canterbury team will be stacked for the Shield Challenge.

IMO players should only be able to represent their PU based on their PPOR.

Sounds like Pellegrini might be turning out for Otago.

@frugby said in NPC 2026:

Sounds like Pellegrini might be turning out for Otago.

This will make the Millar fan bois grumpy. Pellegrini turning up for both Otago and the Landers. Strong acquisition.

@SouthernMann Think it'll be interesting to see how they manage things. Millar is first rate at NPC level. I must say I was surprised when I heard Pellegrini was coming down.

Wallabies hopeful James Ramm is set to return home to Australia after signing a two-year deal with the Western Force, but the former Northampton Saints winger will first make a stop across the ditch in New Zealand’s NPC.

Northland Rugby announced on Wednesday morning that Ramm, who was part of Northampton’s 2026 PREM Rugby title-winning squad, is the latest addition to the provincial side ahead of the upcoming season.

No wingers in Northland?

@antipodean dont...he signed several months ago, is currently injured and unlikely to be available until round 4...that said, still a big step up on the MLR wing we had last year who was available far too often.

8 players signed for Canterbury on 2 year and longer contracts.
Finlay Brewis,Seb Calder,Liam Jack,Tahlor Cahill,
Torian Barnes,Toby Bell,Kurtis MacDonald and
Issac Hutchinson,

@Daffy-Jaffy what’s even more staggering he won’t be available until round 3 or 4

Israel Leota’s agent also engaged with Northland and they declined
Glen Vaihu was also mentioned as a wing fullback
Both these lads are top draw and it would have been good have had players of this ability as options for the Blues although Leota has recently signed with Harbour

James Raam I believe has signed with the force next year so for me the Taniwha for the 2nd year a row are just signing a winger just passing through
Paula Balekana was an awful signing last year and yet last years best winger in Northland club rugby Petro Ratumaitavuki broke Fetu Vainikolos long standing club try scoring record gets overlooked

@antipodean to answer your question there’s wingers around in Northland but the people working key sign off position are not willing to take a chance

You need to be picking players that have realistic chances to push for Super Contracts
Not sure Northland has grasped that concept

@Chris Torian Barnes is a great re sign as I know Northland and Auckland had been pushing hard to get his signature Auckland especially

Lima Sopoaga is in the new Waikato New Balance promo, so I wonder if that points to him playing another season.

@Bovidae Wonder if he has another season in Super Rugby.

Could he play for the Blues nex̌t year? Haven't seen anything about him being a Bronco next year.

@Bovidae said in NPC 2026:

Lima Sopoaga is in the new Waikato New Balance promo, so I wonder if that points to him playing another season.

I see him around a bunch and he's bought a few jerseys off me and he's pretty cryptic about playing, he did post on his IG story about it with eye emojis. I said I'd double his contract and pay the extra dollar on top.

@Yeetyaah Is he even playing club rugby, or just working in the media now?

@Bovidae just media I think. He probably won't play.

@Landers92 naturally I hope he ends up at the Highlanders

Young Waratahs Prop Jack Barrett to the Stags -

Counties starting to announce signings. He will be looking to impress for a Super team.