NPC 2026

Just popped in from the Auckland v North Harbour trial match played Massey Rugby Club
Left at halftime as the weather had turned pear
Harbour were up 4 tries to 2 and for good part of the first half looked far the better team
Cam Howell looked all class running the cutter at 10 , halfback was either Ngakete George ex Varsity halfback or Tamatea Winiana (Mahurangi)whoever it was they were tidy and slick with their service
2nd five looked like Oscar Koller ,
Former Westlake Boys High player Tyler Pulini looked a very classy at 15 as did winger JD Van Der Westhuizen
Former Canterbury no 8 George Reeves is a bloody good pick up for Harbour

Unfortunately Auckland has a policy of not posting team sheets as they are concerned players may get poached , really annoying for your average punter turning up to watch
I did recognise several players ex Northland lock Liam Hallam Eames and 6’9 St Peter’s College lock Tevita Tatafu
Caleb Woodley was in the 7 jersey ,former ponsonby first five Hohaia Whiu was at 10 and Zacharaih Mauga from Suburbs was at number 8
Fullback was Jimmy Taupo feom Manukau , reminds me of Orene Ai
Despite the conditions the handling was reasonable
Final score i believe 38-17 to Harbour
There are some try highlights on the Harbour FB

@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:

2nd five looked like Oscar Koller ,

FYI: He was in the NZ University team that played Japan U20s on Sat, so unlikely he played two days later.

George Reeves is a Waikato boy, so getting closer to home.

A few guys who habe popped up in Dunedin club footy to push for NPC opps.

Viliame Lea: An Australian midfield back who has played a bit in Japan and a bit of Queensland Cup league as well.

Kyle Kloopers: South African outside back. Most recently playing in the North Harbour club comp.

Cody Lokotui: no8. Originally from Wellington, then went through the Crusaders academy. Looks like he has just made the move down in the last week.

Oliver Church: six/eight from Wellington. Has been tearing it up for AU.

Harry Irving: Former NZU20s out of Wellington. Just moved down to Dunedin.

There are a few other younger guys that have popped up as well. Rupeni Koroi is 18 and is playing lock/six for Zingari and tearing it up. Brock Reid (Southland affiliated) is being talked about positively.

The Dunedin comp is a bit weird. It is essentially an U23 comp, which reflects the footy players in the city. There are still some experienced players. Just a huge number of young kids in the comp.

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.

@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

@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 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.

@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.

@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

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

Speaking of Casey...locked in through 2029

Edit- ah this is Highlanders, no Otago

@taniwharugby hopefully the other one follows.

@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.

@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.

@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.

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

@SouthernMann so...normal weekend attire?

When are teams being announced for NPC?

@Rugbyman said in NPC 2026:

When are teams being announced for NPC?

Before the competition starts.

@Rugbyman said in NPC 2026:

When are teams being announced for NPC?

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

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

@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:

Levi reckons there a few lads up Japan that will be returning for Npc He mentioned Sam Caird and Josh Goodhue were returning for Northland which I had heard about myself but 3 or 4 lads which off the top of the head he couldn’t quite remember.
Possibly Jackson Hemopo who may have played his last game for Mitsubishi Dynaboars in their promotion/relegation game against Division 2 team Shuttles Aichi ,

Asked a contact about Hemopo. Not likely to be playing NPC. He’s holding out and hoping for another Japanese contract. If they don’t come in he will be looking at UK/Europe.

Would love nothing more than to bring him back down South so I’ll hold out some hope JJ gets in his ear lol

Jermaine Ainsley will turn out for Canterbury.

@frugby said in NPC 2026:

Jermaine Ainsley will turn out for Canterbury.

That is disappointing. Will be annoying watching him lift the Shield for Canterbury

I went to watch the top-of-the-table clash in Waikato club rugby (Marist v Hautapu) where Tai Cribb was a late addition to the Marist reserves. It makes me wonder if he is back with Waikato.

Hearing last years Liston College college midfielder Jonathon Simote could be signed to a full contract to Harbour
Simote was selected for the Blues U18 team last year but did his ACL in R7 against Kings
Doing his rehab through Harbour atm
This kid is special ,110kgs 5’10 has pace power in spades completely destroyed every backline in the A1 comp before his injury
If this lad gets on the field Super franchies will falling over themselves to sign him
Every rugby pundit to whom i have spoken to that are very good judges of the game that has seen him play just shakes their head in disbelief
Hope the Blues are all over this kid

@Steven-Harris said in NPC 2026:

Hearing last years Liston College college midfielder Jonathon Simote could be signed to a full contract to Harbour
Simote was selected for the Blues U18 team last year but did his ACL against in R7 against Kings
Doing his rehab through Harbour atm
This kid is special ,110kgs 5’10 has pace power in spades completely destroyed every backline in the A1 comp before his injury
If this lad gets on the field Super franchies will falling over themselves to sign him
Every rugby pundit to whom i have spoken to that are very good judges of the game that has seen him play just shakes their head in disbelief
Hope the Blues are all over this kid

So almost certain not to play for the Blues then…

Hearing NZ U20 tight prop Riley Tofilau has been signed by North Harbour
Awesome young man who worked part time for our company 2 years ago
Scrums well ,carries and ball skills are superb fitness will be his main work on

Nui Muriwai gets around (Waikato->Wellington->NH). I wonder if this points to being part of the Blues?

Bailyn Sullivan confirmed as coming home this year (which obviously explains him being on the outer at the Canes the last 2 weeks ).

Hope the Magpies name some other players soon as the team has been depleted this year.

@Steven-Harris He was in Harbour's squad last year, but he didn't play a game.

So Waikato won't have either of their main midfield backs from last season (G Wrampling, B Sullivan). We might get the use of ALB but otherwise it will be the young guns (Aki Tuivailala and Austin Anderson). Tuivailala being listed as out with concussion for most of the SR season is a concern. Depending on who is at 1st 5, D'Angelo Leuila might spend more time at 2nd 5. Sam Vaka is playing Waikato club rugby so there might be more to that. We'll see who plays HKC next week.

@UpTheHarbs up until 2 weeks ago he was on PUD but thankfully Harbour have come round , only know this because I tried to get him to the Taniwha

Darby Lancaster has been picked up by Hawkes Bay for the 2026 Npc season is what got passed on to me
No teams in the Blues franchise could fit him in