NPC 2023

[taniwharugby]

@Stargazer said in NPC 2023:

What are "normal" NPC squads? In my view, normal NPC squads include the SR players from the province.

I'm sure you know what I meant to say

[Gunner]

@mariner4life said in NPC 2023:

@Gunner said in NPC 2023:

If NPC is played alongside super, then local club footy will suffer.

be different yes, suffer no

How will it not suffer?

Clubs will no longer have the services of their best players…

[mariner4life]

Correct. And nor will their opponents.

[frugby]

@Chris said in NPC 2023:

@Stargazer

It does mean if the SR is moved to May to September the NPC will start straight after SR ,
It is going to take some jumbling to get it all right.

Or maybe, the NPC is played prior to, allowing the All Blacks a greater shot at it... Could be played in a Feb-April window.

[Gunner]

@mariner4life meaning lower standards and lower player numbers.

[mariner4life]

Look, if Cairns can run a 12 club rugby league comp with 3 grades
And support a q-cup team
And feed the Cowboys
With 150,000 people

Thrn it's not the drama people make out

Cairns kangaroos aren't suffering because Hammer is playing Origin (they're leading thr comp)

[Tim]

Heiden Bedwell-Curtis playing for Taranaki this season, according to James Parsons.

[Stargazer]

@Tim That's where he played his NPC when he was with the Canes (2019), so that makes sense.

[Tim]

Any players you are particularly interested in watching this season? For forwards in the Blues region, I'm interested in:

Auckland

Ahio, Fusitua, Beehre, Peita

North Harbour

Tevita Mafileo, Kalapu (if he stays with Harbour), Sititi

Northland

Craig, Rush

[Bovidae]

For Waikato I would say Taha Kemara as he is likely to be the starting 1st 5.

[mikedogz]

Counties keeping it local for coaching.

editor  /  Jun 12, 2023

Wheeler confirmed as Steelers assistant - Counties Sports Hub

McNamara Cup-winning coach Paul Wheeler has been confirmed as an assistant coach for the PIC Steelers for the upcoming Bunnings Warehouse NPC season. Wheeler was one of the key architects of Bombay’s five McNamara Cup titles in six seasons from 2014-19 and is renowned for possessing an exceptional...

[Tim]

@mikedogz Is Miracle Fai’ilagi playing for Counties this season?

[Stargazer]

@Tim said in NPC 2023:

Any players you are particularly interested in watching this season?

For Hawke's Bay, Devan Flanders, because he's now becoming one of our more experienced players and he's had a great SRP season, so I kind of have high expectations now.

Then there's Tyrone Thompson, who'll now come into his 2nd year for us and with an extra year of SRP under his belt.

If he's not in the ABs, Folau Fakatava. He'd be disappointed, but hopefully keen to prove a point and get back into his best form. His restored combo with McClutchie should be good.

And probably our most exciting prospect, Harry Godfrey. He should get a lot more game time than last year. Hopefully Brock James is a better head coach and selector for us than Josh Syms, who didn't give him much of a chance.

We've lost several players to retirement, and will have more players unavailable due to the RWC than in other years, so there will be quite a few new players. No idea who they are yet, because the HBRU has been completely silent on signings.

Keeping my fingers crossed we get at least one Sullivan, this year. And, possibly, a younger Flanders.

[mikedogz]

@Tim said in NPC 2023:

@mikedogz Is Miracle Fai’ilagi playing for Counties this season?

I haven't heard anything. If he turns up in team club team sheets that will give a clue. It looks like Potu Leavasa is back to counties. Sekope Kepu is back from injury, playing club rugby. Too old to be considered but interesting to see former Southland player Joe Tuineau playing for Karaka.

[Stargazer]

That's a blast from the past:

[Bovidae]

James Parsons said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod that Heiden Bedwell-Curtis will be playing for Taranaki this season.

[Tim]

@Bovidae See post #142.

[Bovidae]

@Tim Ha! Obviously I completely missed that post.

[Nepia]

@Stargazer Moneybags the Naki picking up Irish superstars.

[Stargazer]

Signed for The Manawatū Turbos

We are excited to announce that The Manawatū Rugby Union have signed John Poland for the Bunnings NPC season!

John is an experienced halfback - he has represented Munster and more recently the New England Free Jacks in the MLR. John is well known as an attacking 9 with a real nose for the try-line as well as having an extremely strong kicking game.

We spoke to John about signing with the Turbos and coming to the Mighty Manawatū:

“The opportunity to play professional rugby in New Zealand has been a dream of mine and knowing some of the boys and Mike Rogers made signing a no brainer. Hopefully I’ll be lucky enough to pull the jersey on and represent the community and my family with pride. I’m looking forward to meeting all the people involved in Manawatū & travelling a beautiful country. Also hopefully growing as a player and a person."

What is Johns best rugby moment:

“Making my URC debut for Munster”

Manawatū Turbos Head Coach, Mike Rogers speaks on what stood out about John:

‘When searching for an experienced 9 to compliment Luke Campbell and Jordi Viljoen, John really stood out with the maturity of his play and his strong kicking game. John is an experienced professional player and will really complement our other two halfbacks.’

✨Congratulations John, we are looking forward to having you join the team!✨

#MakingManawatūProud #WeAreManawatū