NPC 2025
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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$man, and Mika Muliaina for Southland, mostly in consideration of Crusaders and Highlanders needs.
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Paul Cully listed 15 "young" rising stars to watch out for in the NPC by position and their chances of being in SR for 2026. A little Highlanders-centric as he could have chosen at least one player per PU.
15 Stanley Solomon (Wellington)
14 Nathan Salmon (Northland)
13 James Cameron (Canterbury)
12 Faletoi Peni (Southland, he is 25)
11 Cody Vai (Auckland)
10 Harry Inch ( Ta$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.
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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.
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@WoodysRFC He didn't give Inch much chance (rated fair on his scale). Also mentioned that Inch got a full Ta$man contract ahead of Cooper Roberts. Different positions, of course.
@WoodysRFC He didn't give Inch much chance (rated fair on his scale). Also mentioned that Inch got a full Ta$man contract ahead of Cooper Roberts. Different positions, of course.
Ahead of Cooper Grant the first five
Cooper Roberts has a full contract. -
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.
@SouthernMann said in NPC 2025:
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.
That was admittedly surprising, as Inch was favoured at school boy level. Must admit, Muliaina's form for the U20 Highlanders was outstanding, and he and Pledger have such great chemistry, if they can hold onto Pledger, Muliaina, and Harvey, then the Highlanders could be quietly developing one of the best long term 9, 10, 12 combos in the comp. Further, Mika looking likely to debut for Southland this weekend too.
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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.
@SouthernMann I read an article a while back saying that inch was viewed as more of a second five for the mako. So I wonder what will happen
https://nelsonapp.co.nz/news/articles/6879622ca811a1fe18156994
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@SouthernMann I read an article a while back saying that inch was viewed as more of a second five for the mako. So I wonder what will happen
https://nelsonapp.co.nz/news/articles/6879622ca811a1fe18156994
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@Landers92 said in NPC 2025:
@jamsb He had been appearing at second five for HSOB during the club rugby season
Was playing a fair bit of fullback as well. Chopped and changed between 10,12 and 15 a lot.
Cool, seems quite a solid build, next Harry Plummer perhaps?
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@Landers92 said in NPC 2025:
@jamsb He had been appearing at second five for HSOB during the club rugby season
Was playing a fair bit of fullback as well. Chopped and changed between 10,12 and 15 a lot.
Cool, seems quite a solid build, next Harry Plummer perhaps?
@WoodysRFC I would argue that he has a better running game than Plummer
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Another nagging post about he tipping comp:
https://silverfern.rugby/tipping-submit/Get your tips in before the start of the game tonight
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@WoodysRFC I would argue that he has a better running game than Plummer
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Have to say how pleased I was to read that after weighing everything up NZR have come conclusion that NPC is too important to pathways for rugby in NZ too change. Bloody great!
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360776605/work-be-done-new-zealand-rugbys-steve-lancaster-bullish-about-npc
