NPC - news, injuries etc

[Daffy Jaffy]

Links to all the NPC squads listed together -

Championship Squads: Bunnings NPC 2021

We’re just a couple of days away from the start of the Bunnings NPC, where our best domestic rugby talent will again be on display. It all kicks off on Friday 6 August.

Premiership squads: Bunnings NPC 2021

The cream of New Zealand’s domestic rugby talent will be on display once again in 2021 when the Bunnings NPC kicks off on Friday 6 August.

[mikey07]

@taniwharugby Our Wellington team are notoriously slow starters so your definitely in with a chance.

[Tim]

[Dice]

Surprised that no one picked up Auvasa Faleali'i.

[Tim]

NPC predictions

Premiership winner: Ta$man
Finalists: Ta$man, Auckland, Canterbury, BOP
Relegated: Waikato

Championship winner: Otago
Finalists: Otago, North Harbour, Northland, Taranaki
Last: Southland

[Kiwiwomble]

@tim from you lips..etc

[Tim]

[Yeetyaah]

@tim said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

NPC predictions

Premiership winner: Ta$man
Finalists: Ta$man, Auckland, Canterbury, BOP
Relegated: Waikato

Championship winner: Otago
Finalists: Otago, North Harbour, Northland, Taranaki
Last: Southland

Where's the down vote option

[Bovidae]

This is a fan competition on the Waikato FB page. As I am not on FB I haven't voted but have kept an interested eye in who has been selected, and will eventually compare it to the all-time Waikato XV from the thread last year.

When I saw the front row chosen I was half-expecting the late 1980s-early 1990s team to be selected en masse, but no. The forward pack has now been selected. There is some recency bias with the selections. Personally, I would have chosen Ian Clarke at LH and moved Loe to TH. However, this front row was dominant in its era. I'd also have picked Holah over local legend Monkley in a close call. I was also expecting Mitchell to be the no.8. Muir was a favourite of mine and another centurion.

Let's see who the backline is.

[ARHS]

Hmmm. Tkb DMAC Bryce Cowley ALB Bruce Smith Sivivatu Don Clarke. No room for Birtwistle Taylor or Beaver.

[Bovidae]

@arhs The selection panel has chosen Rhys Duggan, Ponty Reid and Tawera Kerr-Barlow for the halfback options. One position at a time.

[Yeetyaah]

@bovidae nah mate, pride of Matamata Brendon Leonard.

[ARHS]

Thought hard about Reid but never saw him play

[Stargazer]

I haven't seen similar pictures from the other franchises, but I always like these:

[Stargazer]

Referees:

Manawatu v Counties Manukau
Friday 6 August
7.05pm, CET Arena, Palmerston North
Downer Referee: Angus Mabey

Taranaki v Hawke’s Bay
Saturday 7 August
2.05pm, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
Downer Referee: Jono Bredin

Wellington v Northland
Saturday 7 August
2.05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Downer Referee: Tipene Cottrell

Otago v Southland
Saturday 7 August
4.35pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Downer Referee: Dan Waenga

Bay of Plenty v Ta$man
Sunday 8 August
2.05pm, Tauranga Domain
Downer Referee: Brendon Pickerill

North Harbour v Waikato
Sunday 8 August
2.05pm, North Harbour Stadium
Downer Referee: Nick Hogan

Auckland v Canterbury
Sunday 8 August
4.35pm, Eden Park, Auckland
Downer Referee: Nick Briant

Bunnings NPC Round 1 Match Appointments and Team Lists

The Bunnings NPC kicks off on Friday 6 August with Tasman Mako out to defend their Premiership title and a new contender looking to rise up from the Championship.

[Tim]

I see that NZ Rugby are sticking to their usual zero promotion scheme.

[Stargazer]

@tim What do you mean with that?

[Tim]

@stargazer I've seen almost no press coverage, advertising, social media content, or other forms of promotion for the NPC. My parents (who watch almost any rugby) didn't even know it started this weekend.

The opening game is a near bottom of the 2nd division clash. It's a poor effort from NZ Rugby, as usual for the NPC.

[Tim]

Auckland aren't even playing the derby game against North Harbour this year.

[Stargazer]

@tim I don't no what your expectations are, but I've seen plenty on Twitter and Facebook, esp this last week. Mostly FPC before that.

Auckland not playing Harbour is a result of Harbour being relegated and the way the crossover games are picked each year. Nothing NZR can do about that.