@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.
The sight of first-five Reece MacDonald running in open pasture could be a sign of good things to come for Manawatū Turbos this year.
Manawatū beat Wellington 54-35 at Johnston Park in Feilding on Friday in their only pre-season game ahead of their first National Provincial Championship game on August 2.
MacDonald, back from a year away in the United States and Japan, was in exciting form in the first half as Manawatū raced to a 33-7 lead at halftime.
I couldn't find the wellington lineup for this game anywhere. With the club semi finals tomorrow, would be interesting to see who played
Manawatu won the game 54 - 35
Players I noticed from a couple of very short clips that Manawatu posted up -
Siale Lauaki
Losi Filipo
Sam Thomson (Petone lock)
Murphy Taramai
Sione Halalilo
Dominic Ropeti
Logan Henry
The more experienced Super players like Shields, Delany, Kirifi, Harkin, Solomon, Plummer and Savea didn’t feature I don’t think.
Wellington seem to have a partnership with a Japan based club because they’ve had a few Japanese players in the squad the last few seasons, looks like a couple of outside backs. Not sure I’m a fan as they will be taking up positions from local players that would otherwise be in the squad. Young wings like William Davis from Petone and Jacob Kennedy would be more deserving of those spots based on club form.
@Canes4life club weekly website said recently there would be a Japanese prop and a Japanese outside back, plus two players from Australia in the squad
My rough stab at a squad:, without including any allblacks
Outside backs - Harkin, Solomon, Filipo, Japanese player, Jacob Kennedy
Midfield - M Proctor , Savea, k Broughton
First fives - Garden-bachop, Piri Paraone
Half backs- Parapara, Komisai, Henry
Loosies - Ropeti, Taramai, kirifi, Halahilo, Jeremiah Collins, Shields
Locks- Plummer, Delaney, Petaia, Johnny Falloon
Props - Lauaki, Alex Hewitt, Sanele, Chrichton, Japanese player
Hooker - Poasa , ? ,?
No idea if O'Reilly or Harry Press are around at hooker
@Canes4life club weekly website said recently there would be a Japanese prop and a Japanese outside back, plus two players from Australia in the squad
My rough stab at a squad:, without including any allblacks
Outside backs - Harkin, Solomon, Filipo, Japanese player, Jacob Kennedy
Midfield - M Proctor , Savea, k Broughton
First fives - Garden-bachop, Piri Paraone
Half backs- Parapara, Komisai, HenryLoosies - Ropeti, Taramai, kirifi, Halahilo, Jeremiah Collins, Shields
Locks- Plummer, Delaney, Petaia, Johnny Falloon
Props - Lauaki, Alex Hewitt, Sanele, Chrichton, Japanese player
Hooker - Poasa , ? ,?No idea if O'Reilly or Harry Press are around at hooker
Not a bad crack, a blonde guy was playing halfback so not sure who he is. Sam Thomson will be in the squad as a lock, he trained with the Canes all year.
O’Reilly is also in the squad.
Not expecting too much from Wellington this year though.
said in NPC 2026:
@Canes4life club weekly website said recently there would be a Japanese prop and a Japanese outside back, plus two players from Australia in the squad
My rough stab at a squad:, without including any allblacks
Outside backs - Harkin, Solomon, Filipo, Japanese player, Jacob Kennedy
Midfield - M Proctor , Savea, k Broughton
First fives - Garden-bachop, Piri Paraone
Half backs- Parapara, Komisai, HenryLoosies - Ropeti, Taramai, kirifi, Halahilo, Jeremiah Collins, Shields
Locks- Plummer, Delaney, Petaia, Johnny Falloon
Props - Lauaki, Alex Hewitt, Sanele, Chrichton, Japanese player
Hooker - Poasa , ? ,?No idea if O'Reilly or Harry Press are around at hooker
Not a bad crack, a blonde guy was playing halfback so not sure who he is. Sam Thomson will be in the squad as a lock, he trained with the Canes all year.
O’Reilly is also in the squad.
Not expecting too much from Wellington this year though.
@kiwidom I thought it might be too early for him to make the Lions this year but I’ve seen Elijah Solomona in one of the photos. Many in Welly are comparing him to a young Ardie.
@Canes4life I watched him at the under 20 trials and he looked impressive the little I saw of him. Only first year out of school I think so might be too soon. The other flanker who looked handy at the trials was Luke Bidois ( ex Gisborne boys) who plays for Tawa
@Canes4life I watched him at the under 20 trials and he looked impressive the little I saw of him. Only first year out of school I think so might be too soon. The other flanker who looked handy at the trials was Luke Bidois ( ex Gisborne boys) who plays for Tawa
Definitely needs to put a bit of size on but he has that raw ability like Ardie. Very good for the Stream 1st XV the last few years.
@Canes4life said in NPC 2026:
said in NPC 2026:
@Canes4life club weekly website said recently there would be a Japanese prop and a Japanese outside back, plus two players from Australia in the squad
My rough stab at a squad:, without including any allblacks
Outside backs - Harkin, Solomon, Filipo, Japanese player, Jacob Kennedy
Midfield - M Proctor , Savea, k Broughton
First fives - Garden-bachop, Piri Paraone
Half backs- Parapara, Komisai, HenryLoosies - Ropeti, Taramai, kirifi, Halahilo, Jeremiah Collins, Shields
Locks- Plummer, Delaney, Petaia, Johnny Falloon
Props - Lauaki, Alex Hewitt, Sanele, Chrichton, Japanese player
Hooker - Poasa , ? ,?No idea if O'Reilly or Harry Press are around at hooker
Not a bad crack, a blonde guy was playing halfback so not sure who he is. Sam Thomson will be in the squad as a lock, he trained with the Canes all year.
O’Reilly is also in the squad.
Not expecting too much from Wellington this year though.
@kiwidom I thought it might be too early for him to make the Lions this year but I’ve seen Elijah Solomona in one of the photos. Many in Welly are comparing him to a young Ardie.
Is that the kid that was on the Warriors radar?
@WoodysRFC said in NPC 2026:
@Canes4life said in NPC 2026:
said in NPC 2026:
@Canes4life club weekly website said recently there would be a Japanese prop and a Japanese outside back, plus two players from Australia in the squad
My rough stab at a squad:, without including any allblacks
Outside backs - Harkin, Solomon, Filipo, Japanese player, Jacob Kennedy
Midfield - M Proctor , Savea, k Broughton
First fives - Garden-bachop, Piri Paraone
Half backs- Parapara, Komisai, HenryLoosies - Ropeti, Taramai, kirifi, Halahilo, Jeremiah Collins, Shields
Locks- Plummer, Delaney, Petaia, Johnny Falloon
Props - Lauaki, Alex Hewitt, Sanele, Chrichton, Japanese player
Hooker - Poasa , ? ,?No idea if O'Reilly or Harry Press are around at hooker
Not a bad crack, a blonde guy was playing halfback so not sure who he is. Sam Thomson will be in the squad as a lock, he trained with the Canes all year.
O’Reilly is also in the squad.
Not expecting too much from Wellington this year though.
@kiwidom I thought it might be too early for him to make the Lions this year but I’ve seen Elijah Solomona in one of the photos. Many in Welly are comparing him to a young Ardie.
Is that the kid that was on the Warriors radar?
Yeah I think they were but I’d say he’s committed to rugby.
2026 Northland Taniwha Npc squad
32 x players confirmed
Just one to be confirmed
Preseason game 24/07/2026
v North Harbour
Wellsford 2pm
Jordon Trainor
Brady Rush
James Raam (unavailable until R4)
Nathan Salmon
Hudson Creighton
Heremaia Murray
Ruben Stewart
GIOVANNI LEITUALA ? ??????
(Awaiting confirmation)
Corey Evans ( possibly R2 or R3 return from injury )
Resaan Pasitoa
(possibly R2 or R3 return from injury )
Rivez Reihana
Jade Stewart
Sam Nock
Josh Renton
Zion Going
Forwards
Simon Parker
Grady Forbes
(Still unconfirmed if he’s on a full contract ,if Parker goes to South Africa Forbes becomes fully contracted I have been lead to believe )
Rob Rush
Lachlan Hooper
Terrell Peita
Zak Shanks
Sam Caird
Allen Craig
Josh Goodhue
Marcel Renata (TH)
Junior Fifita (TH)
Dan Botha ((TH)
Eslie Fono (LH)
Ollie Ryan (LH)
Riki Heremaia (LH)
James Mullan
Jordon Hutchings
Heath McEwan
@Steven-Harris given only 3 locks, have to think Forbes should absolutely be on a full contract, given only 6 loosies to start with, 1 likely to go to SA and Hooper spent time at lock last year as well, where id wager he will get chances again this year.
Where has Giovanni been playing? NRU seriously have issues with selections and no trust with local players
Looks like hes a fullback, a single cap with Otago in 2020...
@Steven-Harris geez Giovanni Lietuia that’s a blast from the past: I remember he was tipped for big things many years back, and then vanished from my radar.
What’s the scoop on his journey since then?
@Canes4life Solomona has been a star for Wainui in club rugby this season.
Waikato will have a Japanese player too - a halfback from Kobe.
Waikato Rugby is delighted to announce the signing of Japanese international scrum-half Daiki Nakajima, who will join the province for the 2026 Hilux NPC season.
Assuming Roe will play a final season of NPC before leaving for Sale, Nakajima will be the third halfback in the squad (excluding Ratima) along with Rui Farrant.
