NPC 2026

@taniwharugby

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

Which squads are still outstanding? Auckland, Harbour, and Waikato?

@Tim said in NPC 2026:

Which squads are still outstanding? Auckland, Harbour, and Waikato?

Auckland, Harbour, Waikato and Welly I think.

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

@Kiwidom said in NPC 2026:

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

@Kiwidom 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, 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

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:

@Kiwidom 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, 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

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

@Kiwidom said in NPC 2026:

@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:

@Kiwidom 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, 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

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:

@Kiwidom 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, 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

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.

@kiwidom Sam Thomson (Petone) and Archie Treadwell (Wellington Axeman) were the locks. Two young talents who I’m sure the Canes will be looking at closely.

Geordie Bean was one of the props from OBU and Martist St Pats halfback Cam Burgess started as well.

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?

He has been over in Australia is my understanding

@Tim that's an excellent pose from Angus

Stacked at prop, not elsewhere.

@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.

@Bovidae Yes I actually have some intel on the Waikato squad. Roe will play 3-4 game before he leaves, Farrant is also there. LCF is not playing NPC. Finau I believe will play the full season. D'angelo Leuila and Taha Kemara are the first fives, Lima and Cruden are not playing.

@Bovidae said in NPC 2026:

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.

View embedded content

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.

I find it odd that Japanese players get a gig here during the NPC but Japanese based former Wellington players like Perenara, Ieremia, TJay Clarke etc for example can't come back?

Has a deal been done between NZ Rugby and Japan Rugby, why are there so many Japanese players taking up spots in our provincial teams, it seems wrong?

@Yeetyaah I've been thinking about a possible Waikato squad. Leuila could also play 2nd 5, as he has before. Otherwise it would be a Anderson/Tuivailala midfield. With Moorby in the ABs and no LCF I would now expect that Cook-Savage starts at fullback. There could be a few from club rugby that are promoted.

@Canes4life said in NPC 2026:

@Bovidae said in NPC 2026:

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.

View embedded content

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.

I find it odd that Japanese players get a gig here during the NPC but Japanese based former Wellington players like Perenara, Ieremia, TJay Clarke etc for example can't come back?

Has a deal been done between NZ Rugby and Japan Rugby, why are there so many Japanese players taking up spots in our provincial teams, it seems wrong?

Without doing any research whatsoever - arent the guys we recieve typically younger development players? The Japanese clubs may be happy for these guys to go away and get some experience, while preferring to keep their expensive stars on ice. Wonder if they contribute to salarys for these guys

@DurryMexted said in NPC 2026:

@Canes4life said in NPC 2026:

@Bovidae said in NPC 2026:

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.

View embedded content

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.

I find it odd that Japanese players get a gig here during the NPC but Japanese based former Wellington players like Perenara, Ieremia, TJay Clarke etc for example can't come back?

Has a deal been done between NZ Rugby and Japan Rugby, why are there so many Japanese players taking up spots in our provincial teams, it seems wrong?

Without doing any research whatsoever - arent the guys we recieve typically younger development players? The Japanese clubs may be happy for these guys to go away and get some experience, while preferring to keep their expensive stars on ice. Wonder if they contribute to salarys for these guys

Exactly this. There's no benefit to the Japanese clubs for their top players that will play week in and week out also getting development minutes in the NPC.

@Mr-Fish said in NPC 2026:

@DurryMexted said in NPC 2026:

@Canes4life said in NPC 2026:

@Bovidae said in NPC 2026:

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.

View embedded content

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.

I find it odd that Japanese players get a gig here during the NPC but Japanese based former Wellington players like Perenara, Ieremia, TJay Clarke etc for example can't come back?

Has a deal been done between NZ Rugby and Japan Rugby, why are there so many Japanese players taking up spots in our provincial teams, it seems wrong?

Without doing any research whatsoever - arent the guys we recieve typically younger development players? The Japanese clubs may be happy for these guys to go away and get some experience, while preferring to keep their expensive stars on ice. Wonder if they contribute to salarys for these guys

Exactly this. There's no benefit to the Japanese clubs for their top players that will play week in and week out also getting development minutes in the NPC.

There must be a reason we take them on though, because i dont recall many of these guys playing many games. Think Wellington had a halfway decent prop one year but otherwise they tend to be squaddies at best. You'd think they would be preferring to develop NZ based players, so there might be a financial relief function where the Japanese club is still paying them?

Some PUs have relationships with Japanese clubs where they have player exchanges and coaching clinics in Japan. Kobe is obviously Rennie's now-former club, and the new Waikato coach was a coach in Japan himself.

Daiki Nakajima isn't young (30) and was the reserve halfback for Kobe. I can understand this decision if Roe won't be around for the full NPC, and the other more experienced halfback (Marsh) from last year isn't there either. In fact, two other recent Waikato squad halfbacks are now in the NH and Taranaki squads. Farrant is a good young halfback.

Voting is open for this:

Wellington releasing their squad tonight at 5 apparently

Anyone going to the Harbour/Northland preseason game on Friday? (Wellsford)

@Tim I’m heading up for look on Friday
Will post a report post match