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$man boys could be on the plane.
Still going to be a side rammed with Super quality players. A backline where the coaches will need to decide between Jim Tavatavanawai and David Havili at 12.
Springer, Taumoefolau and Kunawave as wing options.
The new midfield messiah in Copper Roberts at 13.
Blackadder and Frizzell in the loose.
The guys that will be playing NPC are pretty legit.
You’d think they’d be heavy favourites for the comp.
Two Kiwi icons are celebrating 50 years together, with Toyota Hilux announced today as the new naming rights partner of the National Provincial Championship (NPC), Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) and Heartland Championship.
Not Toyota, but Toyota Hilux....interesting.
First time in a while it hasnt been a building company isnt it?
@taniwharugby said in NPC 2026:
Not Toyota, but Toyota Hilux....interesting.
First time in a while it hasnt been a building company isnt it?
Looks like it's just Hilux in the actual name though, Hilux NPC doesn't sound too bad.
i like the spectrum of colours, all the PUs represented.....but the actual logos looks like 90's wordart jobs
@Kiwiwomble said in NPC 2026:
but the actual logos looks like 90's wordart jobs
Honestly refreshing in the current age of AI generated slop logos and "art"
@Kiwiwomble said in NPC 2026:
i like the spectrum of colours, all the PUs represented.....but the actual logos looks like 90's wordart jobs
It's more or less just the old logo, isn't it? So 1970s wordart, if there were such a thing...
Few guys I am quite interested to track during the NPC.
Fiti Sa
This guy is building a legend like status. The Cantabrian has only played 20 odd games between Taranaki and the Chiefs. Seems everyone wants to recruit the big rig. Lock is one of our strongest positions and he will have to do a lot of get in front of some of the established players.
Eli Oudenryn
Like a bull out of a gate at the end of the Super season and has a great opportunity to shine in a stacked Ta$man team. We know he can do outlandish plays. Big focus will be whether he can nail the basics.
All midfield backs
With about a dozen Super midfielders moving on to greener pastures it will a great opportunity to land gigs for those running out during the provincial comp. Or for the young guys who have secured gigs, show they are ready to start at the next level. Tayne Harvey, Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Whaanga, Toby Bell, Cooper Roberts, Meihana Grindlay and Xavi Taele will be worth tracking.
Israel Leota
A heck of a physical speciman. Should scare the shit out of some of the semi-pro wingers in some sides. Here's hoping he sticks around.
Finn Hurley
By my calculation has played about half a dozen games since getting injured during last years Super campaign. One of my favourite players when he is on.
Richie Mo’unga and Shannon Frizzell
Big pressure on these guys to deliver. They need to turn up and dominate at this level.
Stanley Solomon
Had a big conditioning season at the Highlanders. Focusing on getting bigger and building physical resilience. Looking forward to seeing how that assists his defensive game and the ability to hold his own in contact.
Mika Muliaina
Was really good in gua first campaign as an 18-year-old. Now with a full NZ U20s season under his belt and a full time Super deal next year. Everything is set up for him to succeed. I want to see him run with the a bit more.
@SouthernMann Great post.
Harlyn Saunoa (wing/midfield) and Leo Gordon (midfield) are worth keeping an eye on too. Will be annoyed if the Blues let another quality wing go.
I think Heremaia Murray is one to watch if he gets gametime in the midfield, IMO he looks a natural centre but has been pushed to wing and FB often, could form a great partnership with Evans, with the 2 having played plenty of club footy together in the past.
@taniwharugby Is Evans going to be available? Was set for a big year before his injury.
Taranaki squad looks solid
@taniwharugby Former age group Northland boys Saige Walters Hansen and Rocky Olsen with full contracts
When I saw Suli Pahulu listed as a hooker in an earlier list of their wider squad I thought that was a typo. He was a loose forward in the U20 trials.
Manawatū Turbos hooker Vernon Bason could be out for the season after having surgery.
@steven-harris said in Auckland Rugby 2026:
Nichols has come back from Japanese 3rd Division rugby
Depth in the NPC has fallen off a cliff.
@antipodean it’s case of keeping up with some of the unions that are stacked with Super Players that are outside the ABs frame
The likes of Ta$man, Taranaki ,Canterbury and Otago I would imagine are gonna be stacked unfortunately there’s lack of trust in and around local club players which is unfortunate but I very much understand from a coaches point of view
Some unions which is great to see are investing in local club players ,CM did last year and almost pulled of a massive upset in the QF
Hawkes Bay and Southland going for local club which is great to see I suppose from Stephen Bates point of view he needs at minimum a top 8 finish