NPC 2026

@Mr-Fish its the 3D/shadow "effect" that does it for me....but yeah, tweaks on the last one

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.

@Tim round 3 or 4 i believe

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

@Steven-Harris said in Auckland Rugby 2026:

Hawkes Bay and Southland going for local club which is great to see

Both PUs have selected Aust SR players, which although might strengthen their squads, it will be at the expense of local club players.

@Bovidae Taniwha squad will have up to 5 Australian players Pasitoa being the only local super player

@Steven-Harris said in Auckland Rugby 2026:

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

Southland are stacked full of imports. Some who have been around for a few years. Still a huge number of imports. Two Japanese lads, three from MP, two Australians and even some of their local lads primarily play in Dunedin.

It is all swings and roundabouts. If this Southland team wins. No one will care. Id rhey don't. Plenty will scream about bloody imports.

Auckland have so many tidy footy players. Your guys are just all so young. How do Norrie, Spencer, Vai, Tito-Harris, Simpson all fit into a 23 each week. What a luxury Auckland has. Same with the loosies. Epic talent as always up there.

@bovidae said in NPC 2026:

@ Steven-Harris said in Auckland Rugby 2026 : Hawkes Bay and Southland going for local club which is great to see Both PUs have selected Aust SR players, which although might strengthen their squads, it will be at the expense of local club players.

In its current form NZR should stipulate that the competition is for NZ club players and NZ eligible SR players.

@SouthernMann said in NPC 2026:

It is all swings and roundabouts. If this Southland team wins. No one will care. Id rhey don't. Plenty will scream about bloody imports.

It’s very similar up North there will a lot angst among the locals about imports which is fair because some of the imports that we have bought in over the last decade have been awful, possibly the odd one has worked out but in the main it’s been a poke in the face to some locals have that have done everything asked of them in and around S and C and attending HP and have still missed out
On the other side of it we have missed some players because they wouldn’t commit to S & C and HP
Hence coaches starting looking elsewhere

Rough guess at the top Otago side for the comp. Just with @steven-harris saying that we will be stacked! I think Pledger wil twke some tiles out of the stack. Joel Lam will add some talent at nine though. Better than having to rely on someone like Kiern McLea (even with how well he is playing in club).

1. Lopas

2. Coltman/Bell

3. Ma'u

4. Timani

5. Stodart

6. Haig

7. Casey

8. Lio-Willie

9. Lam

10. Millar/Pellegrini

11. Nareki

12. Te Hiwi

13. Whaanga

14. Broomfield

15. Hurley

16. Coltman/Bell 17. Wingham 18. Takataka 19. Harry Irving 20. ??? 21. McLea 22. Millar/Pellegrini 23. Timu

A bit short in the lineout. Should hold its own again well.

@SouthernMann that’s a solid team I would imagine Holland will need a couple of games to get back to speed
Timani was a sensational pick up last year might have been a better option than the Argie for the landers

@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:

@SouthernMann said in NPC 2026:

It is all swings and roundabouts. If this Southland team wins. No one will care. Id rhey don't. Plenty will scream about bloody imports.

It’s very similar up North there will a lot angst among the locals about imports which is fair because some of the imports that we have bought in over the last decade have been awful, possibly the odd one has worked out but in the main it’s been a poke in the face to some locals have that have done everything asked of them in and around S and C and attending HP and have still missed out
On the other side of it we have missed some players because they wouldn’t commit to S & C and HP
Hence coaches starting looking elsewhere

I have been reasonably impressed with Southland's imports this year. Vaihu, Denzel Samoa, Haloholo and the Tahs loosehead prop are all very astute additions.

@SouthernMann Vaihu is a superb pick up , I tried to push him up north through a contact at Moana but that’s a chat for another day

@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:

@SouthernMann that’s a solid team I would imagine Holland will need a couple of games to get back to speed
Timani was a sensational pick up last year might have been a better option than the Argie for the landers

The big thing for mw with the NPC is I want to see guys get an opportunity. It is why I'd prefer Timu sits on the bench instead of having a mortgage on the 13 jersey.

It is the same with your Auckland/Northland guys. Take risks on guys and allow them to show what they have to offer.

@Steven-Harris Holland only available for the Shield game.

I’m guessing the SA Squad must leave at the end of July.

@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:

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

I think Taranaki have got the locals/imports (NZ and OS) thing just right
and have done so for a long time
they have a good local core, and dont really get any advantage from their chiefs/hurricanes tie-ins
then all the "foreigners" they bring in seem to be hits
great talent id by them
same with the coaching staff too

@mohikamo said in NPC 2026:

I think Taranaki have got the locals/imports (NZ and OS) thing just right
great talent id by them

Yes. Have a look at their current academy and they have signed players out of school from Counties, BOP, Hawke's Bay, Manawatū and Ta$man.

If previous seasons are any indication Waikato will name their squad at the very last opportunity. I expect the majority of the 2025 squad to be back (minus the known departed players), and my interest will be in which locks and midfield backs will be chosen. With B Sullivan going home, G Wrampling in Japan, and Tupaea and ALB in the ABs, there will have to be a couple of new faces.

I assume there will be some preseason games this Fri and Sat.

@Bovidae And was one of the better flankers at the trials. Was surprised he missed nz selection. Interesting he's switched to hooker now

@Bovidae said in NPC 2026:

If previous seasons are any indication Waikato will name their squad at the very last opportunity. I expect the majority of the 2025 squad to be back (minus the known departed players), and my interest will be in which locks and midfield backs will be chosen. With B Sullivan going home, G Wrampling in Japan, and Tupaea and ALB in the ABs, there will have to be a couple of new faces.

I assume there will be some preseason games this Fri and Sat.

Might be off by a week but didn't Waikato officially name their full squad after their first match last year?

Southland Tribune has written player profiles for the full Stags playing group.

@Mr-Fish said in NPC 2026:

Might be off by a week but didn't Waikato officially name their full squad after their first match last year?

The squad was announced on July 29. Waikato played Auckland on July 31.

2026 Counties Manukau Steelers Squad

@mikedogz Josh Blame and Rico McQuoid have been playing club in the Waikato all season, so obviously didn't play for the clubs listed.

@Smudge said in NPC 2026:

Will pack the Canterbury quartered shorts to match up with a pair of jandals.

Don't overdress!

Yeah, I knew Balme was at Marist, I hadn't seen McQuoid in Pukekohe's team sheets. Both have family links to the region. It's good to see my prediction that Atu Moli being named came true. I don't know where Keran Van Staden is.

McQuoid is usually the Hautapu backup hooker so with Pita Anae-Ah Sue with Samoa both should feature in the final this Sat. McQuoid played a few games late in the season for Counties last year IIRC. Balme is a solid lock and I was surprised he wasn't used when Waikato lost most of their locks due to injury so early in the NPC..

Good to see Adams and Lindenmuth back.

Southland side for pre-season clash against Otago on Friday. I have a feeling the backline is a first five away from being the top line up

@Tim think I had heard Adams is in top shape too.

@mikedogz "Added to that loss is the departure of talented Pukekohe prop forward Keran van Staden to Japan".
That's sad and annoying. I thought he was very promising. Amazed that the Chiefs could not find a place for him.

Canterbury squad has been sent out a day early, via email. No real surprises.