NPC 2023

Canes4life

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.

frugby

@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.

Canes4life

@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).

Chris B.

@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!!!!"

Canes4life

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-Plimmerton

Notable 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)

Stargazer

Result preseason game:

Counties Manukau 29 - 19 North Harbour

SouthernMann

My hopes.

Otago makes the semi finals. Our promising young players have good seasons.

Wellington loses the Ranfurly Shield and misses the semi finals.

Canes4life

@SouthernMann no chance mate.

SouthernMann

You will be 1 from four after the first four rounds, and the shield will be in Nelson.

Canes4life

@SouthernMann no chance mate.

SouthernMann

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

SouthernMann

A lot to like about Josh Whaanga. I reckon he will be playing a lot of NPC.

Stargazer

Preseason results:
Canterbury 24 - 47 Ta$man
Otago 31 - 7 Southland (HT: 5 - 7)

Stargazer

@Snollygoster-0 said in NPC 2023:

Does anyone have details of the location and starting time for the BOP v Manawatu game this weekend ?

Already been played:

Friday 28 July 2023 - 12.30pm - Owen Delany Park, Taupō
Manawattū v Bay of Plenty

I haven't seen the result.

Daffy Jaffy

@Stargazer From BOP Facebook page -
Good result at the Steamers pre season today with a 33-7 win against Manawatu.

Bovidae

So there were two games being played at Owen Delaney Park at pretty much the same time? Even for the SR U20 competition they only use the main ground.

Stargazer

Preseason result:
Waikato 31 - 38 Hawke's Bay

Daffy Jaffy

Auckland 22 - 5 Northland at half time.

Duluth

Auckland won 39-19 against Northland

Daffy Jaffy

Full time - Auckland 39 - 19 Northland.

The Silver Fern

NPC 2023