NPC 2023

[Stargazer]

@Chris I can't see anyone beating that team. So stacked, even if you'd remove the current ABs.

Crotty will be huge as a leader for Canterbury.

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer Wellington will take ‘em again. Too much firepower. 😁

[Chris]

@Stargazer
Could get McLeod,Ennor and Moody/Williams back after the 2 Aussie tests.

[Canes4life]

I can see it being a Cantab vs Welly final again. Both teams look to have plenty of depth.

[Bovidae]

The forgotten age-group player Torian Barnes is back. Alaimalo has gone back home.

[Duluth]

If you’re convinced Canterbury will win easily, you can make some money

Cant $4.00
Well $4.00
Auck $6.50
Waik $6.50

[Canes4life]

@Chris what would Canterbury’s best side look like from that squad? (Excluding players likely to picked for the WC)

[Chris]

@Canes4life

McAlister
Moody
Jager
Dunshea
Gallagher
Christie
Harmon
Grace
Drummond
Burke
Crotty
Ennor
Mcleod
Matale
Fihaki

Reserves
Bell
Lienert-Brown
Calder
Darry
Gardiner
Heinz
Poihipi
Punivai

[Canes4life]

@Chris looks pretty strong. Wellington have the team to do the business again aswell IMO. Definitely hard to pick between both those sides.

Wellington have Canterbury on the end of their storm week which includes two Ranfurly Shield defenses. I say sack the man who made the schedule.

A Aumua
X Numia
P Sheck
D Bird
H Plummer
C Delany
D Kirifi
P Lakai
T Perenara (not sure if he will make it back or not - still unconfirmed)
A Morgan
P Patafilo
P Umaga-Jensen
B Proctor
J Savea (should be back around the middle of the season)
R Love

J O'Reilly
B Chrichton/Orr
S Lauaki
A Pettett
B Shields
L Henry
R Higgins (should be back around the middle of the season)
C Garden-Bachop

[Winger]

@Canes4life southland and Ta$man at home and then Canterbury. Over 8 days

Idiotic scheduling

[Canes4life]

@Winger yep, Wellington will be sending a B team down to Chch for sure.

Stupid considering you really want the best players playing in the big city games to attract atleast a modest crowd.

[Canes4life]

Cantabs going back to their dark red and black jerseys which are different to the ones in the squad release above.

Zach Gallagher.jpg | Photosport New Zealand

Zach Gallagher.<br /> Canterbury NPC Rugby squad photo session at Rugby Park, Christchurch, New Zealand on Monday 24 July 2023. Mandaotory credit: Darin Young / www.photosport.nz

[Chris]

@Canes4life

Yep could be a Canterbury v Wellington final again.
I hate those storm weeks can be a real disadvantage depending on who you draw.

[booboo]

@Chris said in NPC 2023:

@Canes4life

McAlister
Moody
Jager
Dunshea
Gallagher
Christie
Harmon
Grace
Drummond
Burke
Crotty
Ennor
Mcleod
Matale
Fihaki

Reserves
Bell
Lienert-Brown
Calder
Darry
Gardiner
Heinz
Poihipi
Punivai

That's the kind of strength it would be good to see throughout the NPC. Like the late 90s.

[Canerbry]

GOAT RYAN CROTTY

Or, as thesilverfern knows him, "solid but unspectacular".

[booboo]

@Canerbry said in NPC 2023:

GOAT RYAN CROTTY

Or, as thesilverfern knows him, "solid but unspectacular".

TSF is nothing if not astute.

Thought a Cantab would take that as a compliment, but thanks for confirming the stereotypical impression of your ability to be precious under any circumstances.

[Duluth]

@Chris said in NPC 2023:

Yep could be a Canterbury v Wellington final again.

Auckland, Waikato and Ta$man will put out strong sides too

Hard to guess the Auckland side as the squad hasn't been named yet but I suspect the top xv will be something like this:

1 Fusitua
2 Vikena
3 Ta'avao
4 Annandale
5 Tuipulotu
6 Ioane
7 Choat
8 Ekuasi

9 Funaki
10 Sullivan
11 Rayasi
12 Plummer
13 Heem
14 Lam
15 RTS

Some SR depth outside the top xv: Lay, Renata, Evans, Telea, Gibson, maybe Kalapu? I presume Hodgman is still injured. Plus some u20's guys Che Clark, and Caleb Tangitau

Should be in the mix at least

It looks like a better side than last year without a couple of Aussie duds in the pack, presumably no Hickey and Alama not coaching

[Chris]

@Duluth

Yeah good looking side as well,it could be a really good NPC this year,
I always enjoy it also to watch the new players that come through and push for a super rugby contract.
Just an edit on Hickey he was with the Crusaders at the end of the comp covering for Kemera when he went away with the U/20s.

[Dan54]

Geez fellas, all this talk of new players etc is getting me excited, have I mentioned before how much I love the NPC??

[Canes4life]

@Duluth that Auckland backline is going to tear some teams apart. I'm looking forward to the NPC this year, I think 4 or so teams could win it. Keeping players healthy is going to be key.