NPC 2025

[Yeetyaah]

From what I've heard Waikato are naming their squad at some stage this week. Waikato behind the pack as usual and have posted absolutely nothing. They've been taking membership jersey pre orders without even showing the jersey, I've emailed about this with no reply.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah There is a picture of Tepaea Cook-Savage wearing the jersey on the Insta page. Same jersey with a new major sponsor.

I agree that the interaction with supporters has been appalling. I think it was last year when WR drip-fed the squad as other PUs have done this year. At least that builds some anticipation.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae was a specific members only jersey I think, they did something similar last year but had photos weeks in advance so it was ready for the season.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah Is that the jersey with all the former players names on? Even as a longtime season member I wasn't interested in that. All my jerseys are CCC era.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae nah it was a cotton kinda retro styled on.

[Duluth]

[Kiwidom]

So I think it's just North Harbour and Waikato still yet to announce their squads

[UpTheHarbs]

@Kiwidom I think Harbour’s squad will be announced tomorrow or Friday.

[Duluth]

Waikato play Auckland in the opening game in 7 days

Surely they know who is in their squad by now

[Bovidae]

Of course the squad will be known, and training. It's just that WR are slack in officially announcing the squad. Even more so, when the "B team" has been released first.

[Duluth]

@Bovidae said in NPC 2025:

Of course the squad will be known, and training. It's just that WR are slack in officially announcing the squad.

Yeah I know

It's the same teams every year that screw up the weekl naming too. Waikato and Harbour are generally last every week.

Waikato was really bad at naming a side that was different to the one that actually played too

[Bovidae]

24 h before the game is still the rule I believe.

I'll add that a lot of the squad will be from Marist and Hautapu who play in the club final this Sat. Those teams could look quite different to who played in the SF because the Waikato reps will be withdrawn.

[UpTheHarbs]

Harbour's squad to be announced tomorrow

[frugby]

I’m bravely going to try predict the NPC having failed miserably with Super Rugby

1. Taranaki
2. Canterbury
3. Bay of Plenty
4. Wellington
5. Ta$man
6. Auckland
7. Hawke’s Bay
8. Waikato
9. Northland
10. Otago
11. Harbour
12. Counties
13. Southland
14. Manawatu

[Yeetyaah]

@frugby said in NPC 2025:

I’m bravely going to try predict the NPC

I'll do the same with no bias at all.

1. Waikato
   2-14. Everyone else.

[MacDazzler]

Predicted 2025 Ladder

Ta$man
Taranaki
Canterbury
Bay of Plenty
Hawkes Bay
Wellington
Auckland
Northland

Waikato
North Harbour
Counties
Otago
Southland
Manawatu

[UpTheHarbs]

1. Ta$man
2. Taranaki
3. Canterbury
4. Wellington
5. Bay of Plenty
6. HARBOUR
7. Hawkes Bay
8. Auckland
9. Waikato
10. Counties Manukau
11. Northland
12. Otago
13. Southland
14. Manawatū

[Dan54]

@frugby I so hope you right about who's on top. I admit to not being brave enough to list teams in order on how they will finish, as so often there seem to be 'upset' results. Think another reason to love the comp..
Only thing I usually think at beginning is Manawatu and Southland will be at bottom.

[Canes4life]

I'd love Wellington to make it three championships in four seasons but I feel like they've lost too much experience and firepower to the ABs / to injury. For me, Ta$man are huge favourites having Havili, Blackadder and LF available.

A Ta$man backline of 9. Christie 10. Robinson 11. Fainga'anuku 12. Havili 13. Aumua 14. Taumaoefolau 15. Springer is top quality at this level and will take some stopping.

I'd go:

1. Ta$man
2. Taranaki
3. Wellington
4. Canterbury
5. Bay of Plenty
6. Auckland
7. Harbour
8. Hawkes Bay
9. Waikato
10. Counties Manukau
11. Northland
12. Otago
13. Southland
14. Manawatu

[UpTheHarbs]

@Canes4life Your predictions are very similar to mine!