NPC 2025

[Mauss]

@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.

[Grooter]

New Zealand Rugby

Following the recent conclusion of an exciting 2025 provincial rugby season, your New Zealand Rugby Rugby Awards finalists are locked in 🔥

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

[Mr Fish]

In my head Darry only played a couple of matches...

[frugby]

@Grooter The Otago players probably all take points off each other. Think Casey, Pledger and Nareki would have split a good chunk of the points across our victories. Gilbert, TUJ and Lio-Willie too.

[Bovidae]

Christie would get my vote, and he isn't even in the top 3.

[Nepia]

I don't even think that Fakatava was our best player, yeah he was good, but Lowe was week in week out our best player (despite the hatred often directed towards him on here).

[MacDazzler]

Surprised that all of Casey, Christie and Pledger all missed out on nomination for player of the year.

[Kiwiwomble]

@frugby said in NPC 2025:

@Grooter The Otago players probably all take points off each other. Think Casey, Pledger and Nareki would have split a good chunk of the points across our victories. Gilbert, TUJ and Lio-Willie too.

yeah, its the curse of the team effort

[mikedogz]

Positive signs

[Kiwiwomble]

love to see it