NPC 2025
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@Mauss Thought-provoking as always, thank you mate.
A player like Tupou-Ta'eiloa, despite limitations in some areas, can be such a hugely effective part of a team with strengths like that if they're used well. A low-error rate with go-forward is gold. I always find myself mentally matching up the 'possession lost' vs 'possession won' to form a sort of a net position on a player's effect on possession for the team, so would be interested in seeing how many 'turnovers won' for a guy like that vs some of the other contenders.
George Bell is looking very promising this year, and that is a hell of a lot of involvements per game.
On the wingers, while I quite like Fineanganofo, I'm not sure about his top-end pace for the higher level. Guys like Lowe operate well in traffic and while he bounces around and makes valuable metres, I would think it is not many metres made per defender beaten, because he's never going to take an outside break and gas the defence - very effective for the bay because of how they use him, but not the attributes I see as key for a top winger. Fihaki I feel the same about, he has a lot of positive attributes, but I tihnk he should just move to midfield asap if he aspires to a higher level. -
the public have had their say and Josh Jacomb has come up Trumps! Dan I know you'll be pleased mate
Bunnings Provincial Rugby
The people have spoken 🗣️ Listeners of Afternoons with Staffy on Sport Nation NZ have named their Bunnings NPC Team of the Season, with Josh Jacomb taking home MVP honours after a breakout campaign...
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@reprobate said in NPC 2025:
A player like Tupou-Ta'eiloa, despite limitations in some areas, can be such a hugely effective part of a team with strengths like that if they're used well. A low-error rate with go-forward is gold. I always find myself mentally matching up the 'possession lost' vs 'possession won' to form a sort of a net position on a player's effect on possession for the team, so would be interested in seeing how many 'turnovers won' for a guy like that vs some of the other contenders.
If you’re interested in comparing turnovers won, the RugbyPass NPC stats page actually has a pretty decent feature for that, where you can compare individual players, including how many turnovers they’ve won. For example, if you want to compare Tupou-Ta’eiloa to someone like Flanders, you’d get this kind of overview:
(link: https://www.rugbypass.com/bunnings-npc/stats/)So Flanders clearly has an edge when it comes to winning possession back, despite turning the ball over more regularly.
I also find it quite interesting how, based on this kind of presentation, you’d think Flanders had a much better season. But the comparison isn’t really fair because Flanders played two more games than Tupou-Ta’eiloa (quarters and semi), which obviously inflates the former’s numbers. Still interesting though, of course, and Flanders had a very good NPC campaign.
Agreed about the wingers. Tangitau has had a mixed season for Auckland but he’s the kind of guy who might make a real fist of it at the next level so good that they’re giving him an opportunity with the AB XV. But I’m quite high on guys like Fineanganofo and Taumoefolau as well: they might not have Tangitau’s pace but they have a range of ways they can impact a game, I feel.
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Pledger not being a top 3 nominee makes me think the points system is possibly flawed, was a stand out in all games up until the final where he couldn't quite influence but c'mon
Following the recent conclusion of an exciting 2025 provincial rugby season, your New Zealand Rugby Rugby Awards finalists are locked in 🔥
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Surprised that all of Casey, Christie and Pledger all missed out on nomination for player of the year.
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love to see it
