NPC 2025

[Steven Harris]

Some updated North Harbour news that I had passed on

Cam Christie out for the season broken bone in his thumb
Signed
Tom Savage
Patrick Pellegrini
Julian Savea
Luke Donaldson (half back) possibly ex Canterbury
Murphy Taramai (bit of blast from the past ) will be 33 in August

Others I know of that have been signed
Tristan Cook
Jack Lee
Felix Kalapu
Mahonri Ngakuru
Sione Mafilio
Kade Banks
Sofai Maka
Jed Melvin
Karl Ruzich
Bryn Gordon

[Trig]

@Steven-Harris Mark Tele'a gone before NPC? Luke Donaldson did start off at Canterbury then a season at BOP, and I believe tried to make the Auckland squad last year which probably explains the switch to Harbour.

[Chris]

Fiti Sa and Jobe Rova back playing club rugby in Chch this weekend.

[Mr Fish]

@Chris said in NPC 2025:

Fiti Sa and Jobe Rova back playing club rugby in Chch this weekend.

Who did Sa play club rugby for last year?

[Chris]

@Mr-Fish said in NPC 2025:

@Chris said in NPC 2025:

Fiti Sa and Jobe Rova back playing club rugby in Chch this weekend.

Who did Sa play club rugby for last year?

He was a Shirley club player but is on the bench for Sydenham this week,
I think he played club rugby in the Taranaki last year.

[Mr Fish]

@Chris was going to say I wonder if that indicates he might be returning to Canterbury but looks like he was already named in Taranki's confirmed squad for 2025.

[Bovidae]

@Mr-Fish said in NPC 2025:

@Chris said in NPC 2025:

Fiti Sa and Jobe Rova back playing club rugby in Chch this weekend.

Who did Sa play club rugby for last year?

Waikato Uni. Jayden has been playing for them this year. A lot of Taranaki players do if they are on scholarships or Chiefs NDC players.

[DurryMexted]

Zarn Sullivan to Hawkes Bay for the NPC. Wonder with Danny Toala gone if he'll be seen in the midfield

[Nepia]

@DurryMexted said in NPC 2025:

Zarn Sullivan to Hawkes Bay for the NPC. Wonder with Danny Toala gone if he'll be seen in the midfield

I always assumed Bailyn would have come home first.

Out team of the last few years has been gutted so he's a great pick up for us.

[Duluth]

@DurryMexted said in NPC 2025:

Zarn Sullivan to Hawkes Bay for the NPC. Wonder with Danny Toala gone if he'll be seen in the midfield

Not surprised. The Blues have suggested they're interested in him as a midfielder but he wasn't likely to get meaningful time there for Auckland. Taele/Lam probably get first crack and I presume Tele'a is still with Auckland

His career is a bit of crossroads now. Zero interest from national selectors at fullback, hasn't performed at 10, maybe 12 is his spot?

[Mr Fish]

@Duluth said in NPC 2025:

@DurryMexted said in NPC 2025:

Zarn Sullivan to Hawkes Bay for the NPC. Wonder with Danny Toala gone if he'll be seen in the midfield

Not surprised. The Blues have suggested they're interested in him as a midfielder but he wasn't likely to get meaningful time there for Auckland. Taele/Lam probably get first crack and I presume Tele'a is still with Auckland

His career is a bit of crossroads now. Zero interest from national selectors at fullback, hasn't performed at 10, maybe 12 is his spot?

Will be interesting to see if he gets named in the Maori side tomorrow.

[Landers92]

Caught wind that Mitch Drummond may be on a move to Ta$man. As a result a Ta$man halfback could be heading to Canterbury which I’m hearing is Louis Chapman.

[Mr Fish]

@Landers92 said in NPC 2025:

Caught wind that Mitch Drummond may be on a move to Ta$man. As a result a Ta$man halfback could be heading to Canterbury which I’m hearing is Louis Chapman.

That one All Blacks cap has really hindered Drummond's earning potential - he would've made some good bank in Japan. Good for NZ as a whole though.

[SouthernMann]

@Landers92 said in NPC 2025:

Caught wind that Mitch Drummond may be on a move to Ta$man. As a result a Ta$man halfback could be heading to Canterbury which I’m hearing is Louis Chapman.

Nelson player going back to his home province. Canterbury player going back to his province. Nice stories all-round

[Bovidae]

Southland have been slowly announcing their squad. No surprises or new additions yet, but the latest player is Scott Gregory, which had been mentioned as a possibility.

[SouthernMann]

@Bovidae said in NPC 2025:

Southland have been slowly announcing their squad. No surprises or new additions yet, but the latest player is Scott Gregory, which had been mentioned as a possibility.

Southland have a big of a jammed midfield with Gregory, Harvey, Peni, Whaanga, Fletcher Morgan and Te Tamaki. Harvey may end up playing a bit on the wing, same with Gregory. Morgan could potentially play fullback. Peni could rival JGB as the biggest 10 going around in provincial rugby, after he played there a bit in MLR

[zedsdeadbaby]

@Landers92 remember seeing Chapman as a kid at high school and being very impressed but it’s never quite happened for him beyond that.

[Landers92]

Again these are all whispers, to my understanding nothing is locked in. There are definitely conversations happening though

[Chris B.]

@Mr-Fish said in NPC 2025:

@Landers92 said in NPC 2025:

Caught wind that Mitch Drummond may be on a move to Ta$man. As a result a Ta$man halfback could be heading to Canterbury which I’m hearing is Louis Chapman.

That one All Blacks cap has really hindered Drummond's earning potential - he would've made some good bank in Japan. Good for NZ as a whole though.

Mitch probably doesn't need the cash. His Dad is wealthy enough to be a part owner of the Highlanders.

If this halfback switch goes ahead, I wonder if it's about developing Chapman. Whomever is at Ta$man will be behind Christie (and occasionally Hotham, probably).

[Bovidae]

With Ollie Norris named in the AB squad, Mason Tupaea will now be promoted to being the starting LH prop for Waikato. Scary when you think how young he still is. It will also open up a squad position for another prop to come out of club rugby. Liam Pratt's name has been mentioned, Joe Walsh has NPC experience but looks much leaner now.