NPC 2026

@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.

@BellsGeorg said in NPC 2026:

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

View image

Did they send the email in 2006, because that's what the pic definition seems like.