@WoodysRFC said in NPC 2026:
Where's Udy-Johns from?
Yeah, as @macdazzler says, Hastings Boys, he's bounced around though, played for Southland for a season and a bit over in Oz. This is his first Magpies squad (although should have made it earlier).
@Canes4life A Laumape/Brown midfield partnership doesn't sound that bad either. Brown is quality. It's a shame Brett Cameron is out for the season because they have the makings of a decent side and strong 10 is probably the one thing they're missing.
@bayimports Looks like a decent team, our propping stocks are looking good, all 3 halfbacks are class and even with probably 3 All Blacks out for SA in the Outside Backs, there's some gas out there too. Pretty well balanced all things considered though wouldn't mind more midfield cover.
Looking at the squads announced so far, it seems that the players signed for Japan are less likely to play NPC than those going to Europe.
Is that because the seasons slightly overlap?
No overlap of actual seasons but Japan teams start their pre-season about four months before the competition starts.
@BellsGeorg said in NPC 2026:
Canterbury squad has been sent out a day early, via email. No real surprises.
I see Williams is named. Hopefully that's a sign his rehab is going well.
The other name that has appeared in the BOP squad is Solomone Tukuafu. I'm not sure how long he has been back from France.
Squad namings are a great demonstration of why the NPC shouldn't pretend to be a professional competition.
@Crazy-Horse said in NPC 2026:
@BellsGeorg said in NPC 2026:
Canterbury squad has been sent out a day early, via email. No real surprises.
I see Williams is named. Hopefully that's a sign his rehab is going well.
My gut feeling is that Canterbury are just naming all the contracted guys, regardless of injury status, and not asterixing the couple of guys who may not be available. It won't stop me hoping, though.
@BellsGeorg said in NPC 2026:
@Crazy-Horse said in NPC 2026:
@BellsGeorg said in NPC 2026:
Canterbury squad has been sent out a day early, via email. No real surprises.
I see Williams is named. Hopefully that's a sign his rehab is going well.
My gut feeling is that Canterbury are just naming all the contracted guys, regardless of injury status, and not asterixing the couple of guys who may not be available. It won't stop me hoping, though.
That is correct. He has a contract so is named.
I’ve been told he won’t be playing again this year.
@Steven-Harris i wonder if there is some agreement between NZR and ARU given there feels like more.aussies playing NPC this year? Maybe they subsidise the salary?
I do not like that signing at all.
@taniwharugby said in NPC 2026:
@Steven-Harris i wonder if there is some agreement between NZR and ARU given there feels like more.aussies playing NPC this year? Maybe they subsidise the salary?
I do not like that signing at all.
I'm annoyed by our two Aussies as well, even worse one of them is from your Blues, you should have had him.
But I hope the ARU/Blues are subsidising the salary of our two.
yeah the aus SR players are already getting SR money, so they'll be relatively good value for NPC teams
for someone like Ram, i'd say his NPC money would be almost incidental
that he does not play the first 4 games, thinking that's a Force decision
now this is guna be real controversial
but i can see current ABs actually going the other way in sabbatical type deals to Aus SR teams in the future
i think the SR max in NZ is 185 k, and has not changed forever
I think the Aus SR teams will pay a lot more than that for a current AB
remembering they still get their AB money
just depends whether NZR will tick it off
Manawatu lineups to face Wellington today in Feilding. No sign of any information from Wellington Rugby, no 2026 squad announcement and no team announcements for today either.
By the way, that white Turbos jersey looks awesome.
dont think Northland have announced thiers, although @steven-harris did post one which was close to final.
@taniwharugby said in NPC 2026:
dont think Northland have announced thiers, although @steven-harris did post one which was close to final.
Northland have announced 28 of their players already, took that from their Instagram just for reference.