NPC 2023

[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.

[mikedogz]

[Stargazer]

List of preseason games for this weekend:

Friday 28 July 2023 - 12.00pm - Massey Park, Papakura
Counties Manukau v North Harbour

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

Friday 28 July 2023 - 2.05pm - Kettle Park, Dunedin
Otago v Southland

Friday 28 July - Taupo
Waikato v Hawke's Bay

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

Are Northland and Auckland playing each other in a preseason game? And what about Manawatū and BOP?

[Stargazer]

The Otago v Southland game may be livestreamed.

[SouthernMann]

Name no 30 is a new addition. Tom Sanders.

[NateHill74]

@Stargazer I work at the place that sometimes streams games, Elevate Analysis. We currently from what I know don't have anyone that has said they can stream or film it so that game currently won't be getting streamed unless someone else decides to try and do it

[Stargazer]

@NateHill74 On the Otago FB page they answered someone's question whether the game would be livestreamed with "we're working on it". They have now removed that comment and have amended the post, adding "There will be a LIVESTREAM on this Facebook page for anyone who cannot make it".

[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 ?