NPC 2023

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Stargazer Steven Harris said that Auckland are hosting Northland at the University club this Saturday. Did not state a kick off time.

[Steven Harris]

@Daffy-Jaffy 2pm at University

[taniwharugby]

@Steven-Harris any word on the squad?

[Steven Harris]

@taniwharugby just following up

[Stargazer]

Preseason

Auckland v Northland - 2.00pm - Colin Maiden Park

[KiwiMurph]

Is Auckland no. 24 Peni the gun 12 from Rovers @Steven-Harris ?

[taniwharugby]

@KiwiMurph he is, based on something Steven sent me

[Steven Harris]

@taniwharugby

Starting XV
Jarred Adams
Jordan Olsen
Chris Apoua
Sam Caird
Allan Criag
Rob Rush
Jonah Mau’u
Matt Matich
Lisati Milo-Harris
Rivez Reihana
Pisi Leilua
Blake Hohaia
Rene Ranger
Brady Rush
Josh Moorby

Extended Reserves:
Matt Moulds
Bruce Kauika-Petersen
Robb Cobb
Trinity McQueen
Wilton Rebolo
Remsy Lemisio
Sean Sweetman
Liam Hallam-Eames
Hayden Jurlina
Saimoni Uluinakauvadra
Trent Hape
Dan Hawkins
Kobie Scutt
Ross Gladdish

Unavailable -
Sam McNamara
Rory Woods
Sam Nock
Heremaia Murray
Jack Goodhue
Tamati Tua
Jordan Trainor
Ofa Tu’ungafasi

[taniwharugby]

@Steven-Harris so looks like aside from half and the mid-field, the rest is pretty much best available (as I assume Nock, Tua & Goodhue are all fit)

[Snollygoster 0]

Does anyone have details of the location and starting time for the BOP v Manawatu game this weekend ?

[Stargazer]

@Stargazer said in NPC 2023:

Friday 28 July 2023 - 1.30pm - Hanmer Springs Domain
Canterbury v Ta$man

[Stargazer]

Several young players promoted from the Turbos Academy, including Julian Goerke, another Top 4 winner with Hastings Boys, on a development contract.

[Tim]

@Stargazer No Tele'a in that lineup. Hope he is fit for the season opener.

[Stargazer]

@Stargazer said in NPC 2023:

Saturday 29 July 2023 - 2.00pm - Manaia Domain, Manaia
Taranaki v Wellington

[Tim]

Looks like very few of the AB XV squad are playing this weekend.

[Bovidae]

So Josh Lord wasn't amongst the ABs to travel to Melbourne. I expect a few others might be playing pre-season games this weekend.

[Stargazer]

@Stargazer said in NPC 2023:

Friday 28 July - Taupo
Waikato v Hawke's Bay

Kick-off is at 1.00pm at Owen Delany Park.

I've posted the Magpies line-up in the Magpies thread.

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer the Naki vs Welly game is being streamed via the TRFU Ch1 Youtube channel.

[frugby]

Because I have too much time on my hands on this wonderful Friday, I've had a crack at predicting how the NPC might break down. I went game by game, and this is what I came out with:

1. Canterbury 42
2. Auckland 38
3. Bay of Plenty 36
4. Waikato 36
5. Otago 35
6. Wellington 33
7. Ta$man
8. Taranaki 25
9. Hawke's Bay 25
10. North Harbour 22
11. Southland 16
12. Northland 14
13. Counties Manukau 14 (RS)
14. Manawatu 3

Before I say how the finals would work, a few things to note:

• Yes I am an Otago fan, so have probably given us one too many wins in there (Picked us to beat Wellington at home) but feel like Otago are there or thereabouts with a good draw after a tough first three games.
• That loss to Otago is what knocks Wellington down, who I feel are better than the 6th best team, but they do have quite a tricky draw, particularly round the storm week
• The Shield. Counties. Wellington will lose it midweek to Ta$man, who'll hold onto is comfortably until being butchered by Counties big pack in the latter rounds, despite the Steelers coming 13th in the final washup.

FINALS:
Canterbury beat Taranaki
Auckland beat Ta$man
Bay of Plenty lose to Wellington
Waikato lose to Otago

Semi Finals:
Canterbury beat Wellington
Auckland beat Otago

Final:
Canterbury beat Auckland

[foobaNZ]

I think Wellington are only going to be down TJ from last season (who is a big loss at NPC level) so I can't see them not near the very top of the table.

Benefit of lots of fringe AB players (Proctor, Aumua). Means you have a pretty strong NPC squad.