NPC 2025
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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 -
The NPC is fucking brilliant.
Just don't play the games in cavernous Test venues. Bijou venues are better.
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The NPC is fucking brilliant.
Just don't play the games in cavernous Test venues. Bijou venues are better.
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There are a couple of articles in the newspaper today. One from Paul Cully says that Sky and TVNZ will be sharing broadcasting rights from 2026, so there will be FTA coverage. This agreement is well advanced and unlikely to change after Sky's acquisition of Three. This will also mean a reduction in the value of the broadcasting deal from Sky but should allow more eyes on games, presumably with ads. There is also a mention of making SR clubs declare by the end of the season who has been signed for the following year and how many contracts are available for NPC players.
The second article is more about the future of the NPC including the movement to smaller grounds to reduce match-day costs. Obviously there is only a limited number of afternoon slots available for grounds without adequate lighting.
