NPC 2023
-
@Stargazer the Naki vs Welly game is being streamed via the TRFU Ch1 Youtube channel.
-
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$man
Bay of Plenty lose to Wellington
Waikato lose to OtagoSemi Finals:
Canterbury beat Wellington
Auckland beat OtagoFinal:
Canterbury beat Auckland -
-
@frugby lol how are Wellington so far down? They've kept the majority of their squad from last season. The only team I can honestly see them losing to is Canterbury at the end of their storm week which consists of two Ranfurly Shield defences.
Interesting take, but I can't really see it panning out like this. BOP and Otago are way too high IMO. I can't see Counties getting the Shield either, especially without Roigard.
I think Canterbury and Wellington will top their pools, and then win their semis to meet in the final down in Canterbury again.
-
@Canes4life said in NPC 2023:
think Canterbury and Wellington will top their pools
There are no pools in the NPC this year. Just the one single table.
-
@Stargazer that's good, I found that tables setup a little odd.
-
My prediction of the table at season's end:
- Canterbury
- Wellington (RS)
- Auckland
- Waikato
- Ta$man
- Bay of Plenty
- Hawkes Bay
- Otago
- Taranaki
- North Harbour
- Northland
- Counties Manukau
- Manawatu
- Southland
I'm predicting Canterbury to beat Wellington in the final. I think defending the Shield all year and also defending their title may be too much of a tall order for the Lions. Hope I'm wrong.
-
@Canes4life said in NPC 2023:
@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.
I can certainly see them losing to Ta$man. Midweek Shield games against good opposition have a history of being shockers... add in a defeat against Otago, which I don't think is that unreasonable under the roof, and I get what I got. Have them winning 7 games, just it is tight AF, and the way I had bonus points working out. If you have them beating Otago, they take 3rd, and Otago slip to 6th, and not much changes.
Interesting take, but I can't really see it panning out like this. BOP and Otago are way too high IMO. I can't see Counties getting the Shield either, especially without Roigard.
BOP have a good pack, though I agree might not do so well. They went well last year though, and might get Narawa which will be a big plus.
As for Counties and the shield, I sort of think they match up quite well against Ta$man, who I'm picking won't be the best in the forwards.
I think Canterbury and Wellington will top their pools, and then win their semis to meet in the final down in Canterbury again.
-
@frugby it really depends on who Ta$man have available. If they have the likes of Havili, Blackadder etc for that match then yeah it will be a dog fight mid-week. But if they don't then I just don't see them having the firepower.
I think Wellington will play a weaker team against Southland and then save their best for Ta$man before sending a B team to Canterbury. I have Wellington beating both Ta$man and Otago. The only team I have Wellington losing to is Canterbury (twice).
-
@Canes4life Dane Coles in the Auckland departure lounge....
"Hey where's Tyrel?"
"And where's Will? And Frizz? And Ethan? And Finlay? And Leicester?
Fozzie....you caaaarnt!!!!"
-
Wellington XV confirmed to take on Taranaki:
Wellington XV:
Cameron Orr – Western Suburbs
Joyner Gaualofa – Tawa
PJ Sheck – Tawa
Caleb Delany – Old Boys University
Hugo Plummer – Tawa
Brad Shields – Petone
Sione Halalilo – Oriental-Rongotai
Keelan Whitman – Marist St Pats
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara – Tawa
Aidan Morgan – Marist St Pats
Pepesana Patafilo – Tawa
Peter Umaga-Jensen – Wainuiomata ©
Losi Filipo – Petone
Ethan Webster-Nonu – Paremata-Plimmerton
Ruben Love – Wainuiomata
Josh Southall – Petone
Senio Sanele – Upper Hutt Rams
Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe – Northern United
Akira Ieremia – Tawa
Filo Paulo – Hutt Old Boys Marist
Dominic Ropeti – Oriental-Rongotai
Sam Howling – Pōneke
Kyle Preston – Old Boys University
Isi Saumaki – Tawa
Tjay Clarke – Petone
Chicago Doyle – Marist St Pats
Sam Clarke – Paremata-PlimmertonNotable players not selected / unavailable:
- Du Plessis Kirifi
- Anthony Pettett
- Asafo Aumua
- Xavier Numia
- Siale Lauaki
- Dominic Bird
- Billy Proctor
- Logan Henry
- Riley Hiiggins (Injured)
- TJ Perenara (injured)
- Connor Garden-Bachop (injured)
- James O'Reilly (Injured)
- Julian Savea (Injured)
- Ardie Savea (All Blacks)
- Dane Coles (All Blacks)
-
My hopes.
Otago makes the semi finals. Our promising young players have good seasons.
Wellington loses the Ranfurly Shield and misses the semi finals.
-
@SouthernMann no chance mate.
-
You will be 1 from four after the first four rounds, and the shield will be in Nelson.
-
@SouthernMann no chance mate.
-
Otago Southland pre-season game is live streamed
A free and easy and low scoring so far.
Pretty dusty first half.
Observations from an Otago perspective.
Finn Hurley played the full game at fullback so far
Gilbert came on at 12.
Young Josh Whaanga has looked very impressive
-
A lot to like about Josh Whaanga. I reckon he will be playing a lot of NPC.
-
