NPC 2023

[KiwiMurph]

Is Auckland no. 24 Peni the gun 12 from Rovers @Steven-Harris ?

[taniwharugby]

@KiwiMurph he is, based on something Steven sent me

[Steven Harris]

@taniwharugby

Starting XV
Jarred Adams
Jordan Olsen
Chris Apoua
Sam Caird
Allan Criag
Rob Rush
Jonah Mau’u
Matt Matich
Lisati Milo-Harris
Rivez Reihana
Pisi Leilua
Blake Hohaia
Rene Ranger
Brady Rush
Josh Moorby

Extended Reserves:
Matt Moulds
Bruce Kauika-Petersen
Robb Cobb
Trinity McQueen
Wilton Rebolo
Remsy Lemisio
Sean Sweetman
Liam Hallam-Eames
Hayden Jurlina
Saimoni Uluinakauvadra
Trent Hape
Dan Hawkins
Kobie Scutt
Ross Gladdish

Unavailable -
Sam McNamara
Rory Woods
Sam Nock
Heremaia Murray
Jack Goodhue
Tamati Tua
Jordan Trainor
Ofa Tu’ungafasi

[taniwharugby]

@Steven-Harris so looks like aside from half and the mid-field, the rest is pretty much best available (as I assume Nock, Tua & Goodhue are all fit)

[Snollygoster 0]

Does anyone have details of the location and starting time for the BOP v Manawatu game this weekend ?

[Stargazer]

@Stargazer said in NPC 2023:

Friday 28 July 2023 - 1.30pm - Hanmer Springs Domain
Canterbury v Ta$man

[Stargazer]

Several young players promoted from the Turbos Academy, including Julian Goerke, another Top 4 winner with Hastings Boys, on a development contract.

[Tim]

@Stargazer No Tele'a in that lineup. Hope he is fit for the season opener.

[Stargazer]

@Stargazer said in NPC 2023:

Saturday 29 July 2023 - 2.00pm - Manaia Domain, Manaia
Taranaki v Wellington

[Tim]

Looks like very few of the AB XV squad are playing this weekend.

[Bovidae]

So Josh Lord wasn't amongst the ABs to travel to Melbourne. I expect a few others might be playing pre-season games this weekend.

[Stargazer]

@Stargazer said in NPC 2023:

Friday 28 July - Taupo
Waikato v Hawke's Bay

Kick-off is at 1.00pm at Owen Delany Park.

I've posted the Magpies line-up in the Magpies thread.

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer the Naki vs Welly game is being streamed via the TRFU Ch1 Youtube channel.

[frugby]

Because I have too much time on my hands on this wonderful Friday, I've had a crack at predicting how the NPC might break down. I went game by game, and this is what I came out with:

1. Canterbury 42
2. Auckland 38
3. Bay of Plenty 36
4. Waikato 36
5. Otago 35
6. Wellington 33
7. Ta$man
8. Taranaki 25
9. Hawke's Bay 25
10. North Harbour 22
11. Southland 16
12. Northland 14
13. Counties Manukau 14 (RS)
14. Manawatu 3

Before I say how the finals would work, a few things to note:

• Yes I am an Otago fan, so have probably given us one too many wins in there (Picked us to beat Wellington at home) but feel like Otago are there or thereabouts with a good draw after a tough first three games.
• That loss to Otago is what knocks Wellington down, who I feel are better than the 6th best team, but they do have quite a tricky draw, particularly round the storm week
• The Shield. Counties. Wellington will lose it midweek to Ta$man, who'll hold onto is comfortably until being butchered by Counties big pack in the latter rounds, despite the Steelers coming 13th in the final washup.

FINALS:
Canterbury beat Taranaki
Auckland beat Ta$man
Bay of Plenty lose to Wellington
Waikato lose to Otago

Semi Finals:
Canterbury beat Wellington
Auckland beat Otago

Final:
Canterbury beat Auckland

[foobaNZ]

I think Wellington are only going to be down TJ from last season (who is a big loss at NPC level) so I can't see them not near the very top of the table.

Benefit of lots of fringe AB players (Proctor, Aumua). Means you have a pretty strong NPC squad.

[Canes4life]

@frugby lol how are Wellington so far down? They've kept the majority of their squad from last season. The only team I can honestly see them losing to is Canterbury at the end of their storm week which consists of two Ranfurly Shield defences.

Interesting take, but I can't really see it panning out like this. BOP and Otago are way too high IMO. I can't see Counties getting the Shield either, especially without Roigard.

I think Canterbury and Wellington will top their pools, and then win their semis to meet in the final down in Canterbury again.

[SouthernMann]

@frugby said in NPC 2023:

Wellington 33

Fantastic trolling of Wellington fans.

I don't think there is a lot between the top six. Short season means injuries could dictate results and potentially upsets.

[Stargazer]

@Canes4life said in NPC 2023:

think Canterbury and Wellington will top their pools

There are no pools in the NPC this year. Just the one single table.

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer that's good, I found that tables setup a little odd.

[Canes4life]

My prediction of the table at season's end:

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

I'm predicting Canterbury to beat Wellington in the final. I think defending the Shield all year and also defending their title may be too much of a tall order for the Lions. Hope I'm wrong.