Bunnings NPC Thread

[Kiwias]

Pre-season matches have already started, with Canterbury burying Tasman Makos in Hanmer Springs yesterday.

[Ymx]

I’m hoping there might be some uk viewing options

[Kiwias]

Me too for Japan. I reckon we will have to find links before each game.

[Enzedder]

Not a bad squad - capable of doing the double

[Kiwias]

Tasman Mako squad



Canterbury squad

[Gumboot]

George Bell's an exciting young hooker. Captained the NZ U20s this year. One to keep an eye on.

[Dan54]

C'mon NPC, let's get going, got my season pass for Naki, so bring it on!! Ok a couple of weeks maybe good so I can get over covid but.....................

[Guy Smiley]

I reckon there's more joy and entertainment to be had here, with the NPC than in the Tests this year.

[Ghost-Of-Nepia]

Ticking off another NZ ground next month when Jimmy Smallsteps & I head to Pukekohe for the Otago v Counties game. I might wind the clock back and do a few rolls on my side down the big grass embankment. Bit worried about an excessive amount of momentum, mind..

[Kiwias]

I reckon there's more joy and entertainment to be had here, with the NPC than in the Tests this year.

[MungoMan]

Assuming all goes well, I'll be at the Cantabs v Lions game on 13.8 and see three more live games in the two weeks following.

[Torquemada 1420]

I’m hoping there might be some uk viewing options

Sky not doing it this year?

[Torquemada 1420]

I reckon there's more joy and entertainment to be had here, with the NPC than in the Tests this year.

I think that's true v anything: Soup, T14, GP, Currie, the lot.

[Ymx]

I’m hoping there might be some uk viewing options

Sky not doing it this year?

I don’t know. I thought it stopped a few years back??

[Torquemada 1420]

I’m hoping there might be some uk viewing options

Sky not doing it this year?

I don’t know. I thought it stopped a few years back??

Senility: what TF did I watch it on last season?

[Ymx]

Was it Stan sport?

https://www.rugbykickoff.com/articles/h ... d-ireland/

[Ymx]

does this mean it’s on sky?

Or not, since channels aren’t mentioned?

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/c ... p/fixtures

[Dan54]

I reckon there's more joy and entertainment to be had here, with the NPC than in the Tests this year.

I would say that every year. NPC is about my favourite pro comp, ahead of tests and super rugby. Generally that way for me.

[MungoMan]

Sky not doing it this year?

I don’t know. I thought it stopped a few years back??

Senility: what TF did I watch it on last season?

Check your posts from that time to see if it gives your memory a prod.

[Torquemada 1420]

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced the new format for the Bunnings Warehouse NPC with all 14 Provincial Unions to compete for one National Provincial Championship title.

The Bunnings NPC will see Provincial Unions seeded into two conferences based on the previous season standings for round robin matches and quarterfinals. Teams placed 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 sit within the Odds conference and teams placed 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 sit within the Evens conference for the season ahead. The round robin includes four crossover matches per team, where teams from the Odds conference will play teams from the Evens conference.

The quarterfinals include the top four teams within each conference playing for a spot in the semi-finals. With the top two teams across the conferences playing against each other in the semi-finals, to then see the top two qualifiers play off in the NPC final. All matches will be broadcast live and exclusive on Sky.

Although I doubt we'll see all matches available on Sky in Europe.

[Torquemada 1420]

So, we are almost ready to go.

Fantasy Pool is here
https://www.superbru.com/bunnings_npc/p ... p=12466680

Rd 1 team lists
https://www.provincial.rugby/news/bunni ... eam-lists/

although nothing for Moolos v Hawkes yet.

[Enzedder]

Waikato take on Hawke's Bay Magpies at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday, kick-off is at 4.35pm:

1. Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu) – Co-Captain
2. Rhys Marshall
3. George Dyer (Fraser Tech)
4. James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)
5. Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)
6. Liam Messam (Hautapu) – 100th Waikato Game
7. Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu) – Co-Captain
8. Luke Jacobson (Hautapu)
9. Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys) – Blazer Game
10. Damian McKenzie (University)
11. Daniel Sinkinson (Melville)
12. D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)
13. Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)
14. Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)
15. Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

16. Pita Anae-Ah Sue*
17. Rob Cobb (Hamilton Old Boys)
18. Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)
19. Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)
20. Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)
21. Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)
22. Alapati Leiua*
23. Mosese Dawai (Otorohanga)

[Kiwias]

Fergus Burke scores a ridiculous try, made so by Manawatu’s porous as fuck defense

[Enzedder]

Fergus Burke scores a ridiculous try, made so by Manawatu’s porous as fuck defense

I think everyone was just so surprised that the attempted tackle was so ineffectual.

[Kiwias]

Fergus Burke scores a ridiculous try, made so by Manawatu’s porous as fuck defense

I think everyone was just so surprised that the attempted tackle was so ineffectual.

Yep, Burke is not known as a powerful runner so the try is all down to the poor defense. Two great lineout mauls in succession sees the good guys stretch the lead fo 17 - 3.

[Kiwias]

Canty have two very fine young locks, but don’t expect them to be given even a sniff of a chance for the ABs by Foster

[Gumboot]

Canty have two very fine young locks, but don’t expect them to be given even a sniff of a chance for the ABs by Foster

Yep, both fine prospects. They're probably a year or two away yet, so he might not be around to make that call.

[Gumboot]

Lovely try.

[Kiwias]

Canty have two very fine young locks, but don’t expect them to be given even a sniff of a chance for the ABs by Foster

Yep, both fine prospects. They're probably a year or two away yet, so he might not be around to make that call.

Fair enough but if FFF is still in charge, I reckon he will still call on PT as a his back up.

[Gumboot]

The non-selection of PT for this weekend was a pleasant surprise tbh. We have so many great young locks coming through - starting with Vaa'i and the currently injured Lord and Parkinson - that would be better investments for mine.

[Gumboot]

Nice Turbos try to finish it, but that was a very polished first-up performance by Canterbury.

Cullen Grace was my player of the game.

[Kiwias]

The non-selection of PT for this weekend was a pleasant surprise tbh. We have so many great young locks coming through - starting with Vaa'i and the currently injured Lord and Parkinson - that would be better investments for mine.

Absolutely. If PT never makes the AB squad again, I would be very very happy.

[Kiwias]

Nice Turbos try to finish it, but that was a very polished first-up performance by Canterbury.

Cullen Grace was my player of the game.

MacLeod had a couple of defensive lapses but played very well. I really like Grace.

[OomStruisbaai]

Canterbury epic.

[Dan54]

Ever want a reminder how important tight 5 are, just watch that game. Geez Manawatu got some wrrk ons in that department.

[Carter's Choice]

Great start for Canterbury, they look very good this season. They have a well balanced squad and look well coached and hungry. Cullen Grace is the player we need in the All Black backrow to provide balance, he's the lineout target and tight playing workaholic we need to provide the balance for Savea to play loose as an 8. Also, i rate Zach Gallagher highly, the guy is a great young lock but looks like the All Black no.6 we've been waiting for since Jerome Kaino.

[Gumboot]

Waikato hosting Hawke's Bay in about 15 minutes. DMac's back.

[OomStruisbaai]

Great try created by him. The defenses of both teams needs some work.

[Enzedder]

Well, this is a high scoring but frustrating game. We have let in 2 simple tries really (well taken by HB though) but then scored 3 of our own thru HB missed tackles.

As usual, Ykato Vs HB is a scoreathon.

Loving being back at the rugby

[Kiwias]

Waikato defense superb in the last 10 mins