NPC 2026

@Bovidae Tyson Lowry who played for the Universites came off the bench for Auckland and Oscar Koller was on the Harbour squad sheet
A good number of the Harbour lads played club on Saturday including George Reeves whom i saw play for Takapuna v Kumeu on Saturday
He was impressive in that game as well
Great to see these lads commiting to these sort of preseason games

@SouthernMann

Brock Reid (Southland affiliated) is being talked about

Brock Reid is from Northland , played for Whangarei Boys last year and was the outstanding player of the final
His dad Hamish played Rugby League for the Northland Swords

SouthernMann

@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:

@SouthernMann

Brock Reid (Southland affiliated) is being talked about

Brock Reid is from Northland , played for Whangarei Boys last year and was the outstanding player of the final
His dad Hamish played Rugby League for the Northland Swords

Yeah went well in the sevens didn't he? Still a bit light?

The other kid who has played well when he has had the opportunity and not with NZ U20s is Alex Arnold. Another 6/lock. Out of Hamilton.

SouthernMann

Teams from a fefent Sputhland hit out

taniwharugby

@SouthernMann yea at the moment he fits into the current undersized nz loosie mold, but his frame certainly looks like it can take on some size.

Guess its like alot of 18/19 year old kids, some still have plenty of growing, others none.

SouthernMann

@taniwharugby said in NPC 2026:

@SouthernMann yea at the moment he fits into the current undersized nz loosie mold, but his frame certainly looks like it can take on some size.

Guess its like alot of 18/19 year old kids, some still have plenty of growing, others none.

A bit of a patience worked a treat with Lucas Casey. Hopefully the same happens with young Reid.

taniwharugby

@SouthernMann and ignorance on the part of NRU...although TBH, he would absolutely not.be where.he is now if.he stayed here.

@taniwharugby he wanted to head down to Otago University for 2 years but couldn’t get a spot in the Otago academy hence he’s ended up in the Southland academy system because of the close proximity to his club rugby in Dunedin
Northland have got tabs on him we blame them for ton other stuff but there was’nt a lot they could do in this case

taniwharugby

@Steven-Harris i was talking Casey, I know Reid was higher education.

taniwharugby

Speaking of Casey...locked in through 2029

Edit- ah this is Highlanders, no Otago

FB_IMG_1780297774406.jpg

SouthernMann

@taniwharugby hopefully the other one follows.

Smudge

@SouthernMann said in NPC 2026:

There is a pre-season shield challenge against North Otago in a couple of weeks. It should paint a bit of a picture about aho is in contention.

I've booked flights to Queenstown then a rental car to head to the Otago shield defence against Mid Canterbury in Alexandra on July 24.

SouthernMann

@Smudge said in NPC 2026:

@SouthernMann said in NPC 2026:

There is a pre-season shield challenge against North Otago in a couple of weeks. It should paint a bit of a picture about aho is in contention.

I've booked flights to Queenstown then a rental car to head to the Otago shield defence against Mid Canterbury in Alexandra on July 24.

Fog and 3c in Alexandra in July. Has the makings of an absolute classic.

Smudge

@SouthernMann said in NPC 2026:

@Smudge said in NPC 2026:

@SouthernMann said in NPC 2026:

There is a pre-season shield challenge against North Otago in a couple of weeks. It should paint a bit of a picture about aho is in contention.

I've booked flights to Queenstown then a rental car to head to the Otago shield defence against Mid Canterbury in Alexandra on July 24.

Fog and 3c in Alexandra in July. Has the makings of an absolute classic.

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

SouthernMann

Wool socks, redbands, rugby shorts, a 90s Otago jersey, a swandri and a beanie.

When are teams being announced for NPC?

SouthernMann

@Rugbyman said in NPC 2026:

When are teams being announced for NPC?

Before the competition starts.

Yeetyaah

@Rugbyman said in NPC 2026:

When are teams being announced for NPC?

For Waikato it'll be the day before their first game.

Bovidae

The first game is ironically Waikato hosting BOP on July 30.