NPC 2023
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I dont think, in my experience, the NPC is thought poorly of in the major centers, i think its just a split of people attentions, we ask fans to chose what merch to buy, what season tickets to buy, if i have to choose i would say i prefer the NPC, love the history and the inherent connection to the community,thats why my preference is something the elevates the unions
but if there are enough people that are happy with things how they are, small crowds, short seasons etc, then change is not likely
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@taniwharugby said in NPC 2023:
@SouthernMann guess that would even the NPC playing field even further than it has recently by removing the main super players, leaving probably WTG and normal NPC squads.
It wouldn't level the playing field as the player pool in the franchise's main centres is much bigger, and with that also their depth. If they'd take all the SR players out of the smaller NPC provinces, the quality drop would probably be bigger than in the larger provinces.
What are "normal" NPC squads? In my view, normal NPC squads include the SR players from the province.
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and broken might be a wrong word, personally i just want more, more people in the grounds, more merch, more games, more tension, more passion, more upsets....if you're happy with how it is then of course its not broken
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@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
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@mariner4life 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…
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Correct. And nor will their opponents.
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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.
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@mariner4life meaning lower standards and lower player numbers.
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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 peopleThrn it's not the drama people make out
Cairns kangaroos aren't suffering because Hammer is playing Origin (they're leading thr comp)
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Counties keeping it local for coaching.
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...
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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.
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@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.
