NPC 2023

Steven Harris

@taniwharugby just following up

Stargazer

Preseason

Auckland v Northland - 2.00pm - Colin Maiden Park

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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

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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

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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:

Canterbury 42
Auckland 38
Bay of Plenty 36
Waikato 36
Otago 35
Wellington 33
Ta$man
Taranaki 25
Hawke's Bay 25
North Harbour 22
Southland 16
Northland 14
Counties Manukau 14 (RS)
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.

Canes4life

@frugby lol how are Wellington so far down? They've kept the majority of their squad from last season. The only team I can honestly see them losing to is Canterbury at the end of their storm week which consists of two Ranfurly Shield defences.

Interesting take, but I can't really see it panning out like this. BOP and Otago are way too high IMO. I can't see Counties getting the Shield either, especially without Roigard.

I think Canterbury and Wellington will top their pools, and then win their semis to meet in the final down in Canterbury again.

SouthernMann

@frugby said in NPC 2023:

Wellington 33

Fantastic trolling of Wellington fans.

I don't think there is a lot between the top six. Short season means injuries could dictate results and potentially upsets.

Stargazer

@Canes4life said in NPC 2023:

think Canterbury and Wellington will top their pools

There are no pools in the NPC this year. Just the one single table.

The Silver Fern

NPC 2023