NPC 2025

[Bovidae]

@Duluth said in NPC 2025:

So three days out from the first game of the comp - what's on the official website?

It seems that using the website is a thing of the past. It is the first place I would look.

The Bunnings NPC FB page has had regular articles and has been showing all NPC squads with gains and losses. Well, except one.

https://www.facebook.com/BunningsProvincialRugby/

[Duluth]

@Bovidae said in NPC 2025:

It seems that using the website is a thing of the past. It is the first place I would look.

It was the same last year. From memory, I think it updated it not long before the first game

NZR uses a similar website template between that one, a SR one and the AB one. Stories can get published to all three. They just haven't bothered writing anything about the NPC since March

[Yeetyaah]

Josh Moorby and Lima Sopoaga both in the Waikato team. A lot of the same squad members. Micah Fale doesn't seem to be in the main squad.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah Have you seen the full squad? My info on Fale was from the father of one of the players.

[ARHS]

@Yeetyaah women's squad has been released on Facebook but mens is all top secret. This is bizarre? Are they playing Thursday??

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae said in NPC 2025:

@Yeetyaah Have you seen the full squad? My info on Fale was from the father of one of the players.

I have seen the team yeah. It'll be released very shortly.

[Bovidae]

Ah, I see that the season members have been given the squads early. We're still waiting to hear back from WR before doing so.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Bovidae]

I have no idea who Charlie Marsh is.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Seems to be a Halfback who has been on loan to Thames Valley -
https://thamesvalleyswampfoxes.co.nz/player/charlie-marsh/

[Bovidae]

My guess at the top XV (excluding ABs)

1 M Tupaea
2 Boyle-Tiatia
3 Dyer (Kautai)
4 Tucker
5 McWhannell
6 Saifoloi
7 Brown
8 M Wrampling
9 Roe
10 Cook-Savage
11 Tuivalala
12 G Wrampling
13 Sullivan
14 Sinkinson
15 Moorby

[Bovidae]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in NPC 2025:

Seems to be a Halfback who has been on loan to Thames Valley -

So he will be competing with Rui Farrant to be Roe's backup. I don't remember him playing Waikato club rugby.

Pita Anae-Ah Sue will be the backup hooker at the moment.

[george33]

Strong Auckland 23 for Waikato and good on them announcing it 48 hours out.

[SouthernMann]

Southland looking set to debut Mika Muliaina at some point. Will only be 18 when he gets a start this season. Have seen a few highlights of the kid. Reckon he will be a special talent. I reckon he could debut with the Landers before he is 20.

https://southlandtribune.substack.com/p/savs-sidelines-potential-stag-day

[Canes4life]

2025 team namings for the Bunnings NPC drop every week at the same time.

Bunnings NPC Naming Schedule:

• Tuesday 5PM – For Thursday night games
• Wednesday 2PM – For Friday to Sunday games
• Friday 4PM – Late mail for any last-minute changes

Set the reminders.

[Bovidae]

Paul Cully listed 15 "young" rising stars to watch out for in the NPC by position and their chances of being in SR for 2026. A little Highlanders-centric as he could have chosen at least one player per PU.

15 Stanley Solomon (Wellington)
14 Nathan Salmon (Northland)
13 James Cameron (Canterbury)
12 Faletoi Peni (Southland, he is 25)
11 Cody Vai (Auckland)
10 Harry Inch ( Ta$man)
9 Dylan Pledger (Otago)
8 Mosese Bason (Manawatū)
7 Oli Mathis (Waikato)
6 Johnny Lee ( Ta$man)
5 Jayden Sa (Taranaki)
4 Josh Tengblad (Otago)
3 Keran Van Staden (Counties Manukau)
2 Taine Kolose (BOP)
1 Hunter Fahey (Southland)

He gives Pledger and Kolose the best chance because of the needs of their SR team due to departures.

[mikedogz]

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/568385/npc-rugby-where-will-the-ranfurly-reside-this-summer?fbclid=IwY2xjawL2QOZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtDPS6MRjY4AvUqNItJvOkN3AtmSFDg5tzhmK0i9Qf9zV17K6LG6OTJaO2Cq_aem__KaOT7Nf8QXBGO-gvapY8Q

[WoodysRFC]

@Bovidae said in NPC 2025:

Paul Cully listed 15 "young" rising stars to watch out for in the NPC by position and their chances of being in SR for 2026. A little Highlanders-centric as he could have chosen at least one player per PU.

15 Stanley Solomon (Wellington)
14 Nathan Salmon (Northland)
13 James Cameron (Canterbury)
12 Faletoi Peni (Southland, he is 25)
11 Cody Vai (Auckland)
10 Harry Inch ( Ta$man)
9 Dylan Pledger (Otago)
8 Mosese Bason (Manawatū)
7 Oli Mathis (Waikato)
6 Johnny Lee ( Ta$man)
5 Jayden Sa (Taranaki)
4 Josh Tengblad (Otago)
3 Keran Van Staden (Counties Manukau)
2 Taine Kolose (BOP)
1 Hunter Fahey (Southland)

He gives Pledger and Kolose the best chance because of the needs of their SR team due to departures.

Nothing against Harry Inch, but I'd be shocked if he were to debut in Super as early as next season, can't see who'd pick him up, and who he'd supplant?

Peni is an odd choice too, since I'd argue he established himself last season, although chatter is he's aiming for a possible Moana contract. Otherwise, may have considered Cooper Roberts for Ta$man, and Mika Muliaina for Southland, mostly in consideration of Crusaders and Highlanders needs.

[Bovidae]

@WoodysRFC He didn't give Inch much chance (rated fair on his scale). Also mentioned that Inch got a full Ta$man contract ahead of Cooper Roberts. Different positions, of course.

[SouthernMann]

Nationally it seems Muliaina is rated ahead of Inch. Both very talented though. We have had stuff all luck with 10s over the last few years, so will be good if one can kick on. From a Highlanders perspective it would be awesome if it is Muliaina. Having a stable 10 for a decade could be a game changer.