@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?
@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.
@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.
@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
Lima Sopoaga is in the new Waikato New Balance promo, so I wonder if that points to him playing another season.
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.
Nice to see him back in the country. How good
Edit: I’m assuming this means he’s looking for a full time gig. Not a silly time to return to NZ when every time is looking for centre depth.
@Landers92 naturally I hope he ends up at the Highlanders 
Young Waratahs Prop Jack Barrett to the Stags -
Two Japanese guys in the Southland team is interesting.
Also looks like Finlay Christie is out for most of the season?
Dylan Irvine was one of the NZ U19 hookers that toured SA back in 2022 and then seemed to disappear from future age-group teams.
@SouthernMann That's a ridiculous-looking Ta$man side 8 All Blacks not currently in the July squad to pick from.
@Sintonenjoyer said in NPC 2026:
@SouthernMann That's a ridiculous-looking Ta$man side 8 All Blacks not currently in the July squad to pick from.
Will likely only be for one game, as the SA squad will leave smartly after round 1 of the NPC and a few of those Ta$man boys could be on the plane.
@Canes4life said in NPC 2026:
@Sintonenjoyer said in NPC 2026:
@SouthernMann That's a ridiculous-looking Ta$man side 8 All Blacks not currently in the July squad to pick from.
Will likely only be for one game, as the SA squad will leave smartly after round 1 of the NPC and a few of those Ta$man boys could be on the plane.
Still going to be a side rammed with Super quality players. A backline where the coaches will need to decide between Jim Tavatavanawai and David Havili at 12.
Springer, Taumoefolau and Kunawave as wing options.
The new midfield messiah in Copper Roberts at 13.
Blackadder and Frizzell in the loose.
The guys that will be playing NPC are pretty legit.
Two Japanese guys in the Southland team is interesting.
Also looks like Finlay Christie is out for most of the season?
Bit of info on the Japanese lads. https://southlandtribune.substack.com/p/stags-sign-two-players-from-japanese
@SouthernMann said in NPC 2026:
@Canes4life said in NPC 2026:
@Sintonenjoyer said in NPC 2026:
@SouthernMann That's a ridiculous-looking Ta$man side 8 All Blacks not currently in the July squad to pick from.
Will likely only be for one game, as the SA squad will leave smartly after round 1 of the NPC and a few of those Ta$man boys could be on the plane.
Still going to be a side rammed with Super quality players. A backline where the coaches will need to decide between Jim Tavatavanawai and David Havili at 12.
Springer, Taumoefolau and Kunawave as wing options.
The new midfield messiah in Copper Roberts at 13.
Blackadder and Frizzell in the loose.
The guys that will be playing NPC are pretty legit.
You’d think they’d be heavy favourites for the comp.
Two Kiwi icons are celebrating 50 years together, with Toyota Hilux announced today as the new naming rights partner of the National Provincial Championship (NPC), Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) and Heartland Championship.
