NPC 2022

[Grooter]

@Kiwiwomble I've supported Otago since the days of Chris Smylie, Nick Evans & Craig Newby🙂 I just have great optimism for this season , it's a big hill to climb this yr the 14 team comp but starting Saturday week we must begin our journey with great hope!

[SouthernMann]

We are in with a punchers chance; Us and about six other teams will be battling it out. Just as long as we don't play Cameron Millar at 10 we have a chance.

[Donsteppa]

@FakatavaAllBlack said in NPC 2022:

@Kiwiwomble I've supported Otago since the days of Chris Smylie, Nick Evans & Craig Newby🙂 I just have great optimism for this season , it's a big hill to climb this yr the 14 team comp but starting Saturday week we must begin our journey with great hope!

Always begin each season with hope This is the brief time period where I'm sure that the Steamers will win the comp too...

[Crucial]

@antipodean said in NPC 2022:

@FakatavaAllBlack said in NPC 2022:

@antipodean will always have a soft spot for counties mainly due to liking Nanai-Williams growing up

Never a counties supporter, but they did play some attractive rugby for a while there.

You need to go back even further. Back when NPC started in the late 70s Counties (no M) were the most entertaining side going. In those day of 10-6 being a high scoring game they had a philosophy of running the ball and moving it around. Helped that they had the players to do so but it was early super rugby before its time.

[Grooter]

@Donsteppa bay of plenty is looking to have a good tight five Eklund, Selby-Rickit Ah koui etc , just don't know a lot about their backline so we shall see what transpires😄

[African Monkey]

@FakatavaAllBlack Oh come on, they never even got promoted in the old 2 tier system haha.

[Dice]

Is Tavatavanawai back with MP next year?

There were rumors that league teams were after him. He'd look good in league. He reminds me of a Fijian version of Brian To'o.

[Bovidae]

How many pre-season games are scheduled this Friday/Saturday?

Auckland vs CM
Taranaki vs Wellington
Northland vs NH vs BOP
Otago vs Canterbury

It would be good if Waikato has another game as the likely top XV haven't even played together yet.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae

Also:

Otago v Canterbury (Friday)
Hawke's Bay v Poverty Bay Ranfurly Shield game (Saturday)

[Bovidae]

Meanwhile, former All Blacks tighthead prop Owen Franks won't play in the national provincial championship. Instead, the 108-test veteran will focus on being fully fit for his second Hurricanes' campaign next year.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300646942/nz-rugby-would-have-to-open-its-war-chest-to-lure-back-all-black-ngani-laumape

[Grooter]

also read yesterday in the landers article that Pari Parkinson won't be turning out for the Mako

[bayimports]

@Stargazer said in NPC 2022:

@Bovidae

Also:

Hawke's Bay v Poverty Bay Ranfurly Shield game (Saturday)

@Nepia Stan is actually broadcasting this on Saturday in Aus

[Stargazer]

@bayimports I hope @Nepia and @Magpie_in_aus have seen your post.

[Nepia]

Yeah one of my mates messaged me to say they were showing it at lunch time.

Awesome.

[Stargazer]

Ta$man line-up for their preseason game against Southland on Friday, 29 July in Christchurch.

[Bovidae]

The only 2 teams that weren't playing this Fri/Sat are in fact playing each other.

[Tim]

Now don't get too excited, but the North Harbour squad is going to be named this evening.

[NateHill74]

@Tim FInally, after that is it just Auckland's squad to go?

[Tim]

@NateHill74 I think so, unless Waikato haven't named theirs?

Auckland club final is on next weekend, so theirs should be named the following week.

[NateHill74]

@Tim Yeah, they did a couple of days ago. It has Alapati Leiua and all that named (who was playing club in Auckland interestingly)