NPC 2024

[Canes4life]

@Kiwiwomble I feel having games in Porirua every week is a huge risk. It would be better to mix it up between Porirua and the Hutt because you're highly likely going to lose punters from the Hutt Valley and the wider Wellington City who won't be bothered with the commute if it's solely based in Porirua.

NPC sides don't have the pull and the star power to entice people to commute that far anymore.

[mikedogz]

He will be a hard act to follow. Future success will have been because of what has been done over the past few years off the field.

https://countiessportshub.co.nz/cmrfu-ceo-aaron-lawton-to-stand-down-in-march/?fbclid=IwAR2jurZtIo1SJqna5kxibKrvsA3lckPw4lGjt1gnC6Ftt2pAJgQUqFeag2k

[Bovidae]

More info:

Rugby Southland have pulled off a major coup for the 2024 Bunnings NPC.
Dipton’s Sean Withy will return home, having signed a three-year deal with Rugby Southland.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/southland-top-stories/133452401/sean-withy-returns-home-to-southland

[Kiwiwomble]

good for Southland but gutted to see Otago lose him

[Dan54]

Well got an email from the Naki Rugby Union, about renewing my and wifes gold memberships, which of course I did (was automatic actually, just needed new debit card No.
So I looking forward to it already lol

[mikedogz]

https://countiessportshub.co.nz/chad-shepherd-confirmed-as-new-cmrfu-ceo/?fbclid=IwAR0csKt2s4wu2j78nUPFdhMOErfslRn2vMiKjUcyrSc5f3o47A1xkrHQDSY

[Tim]

[Bovidae]

Afeaki lost his job when the New York Ironworkers withdrew from MLR so this makes sense.

[Bovidae]

Taranaki is quick to release contracted player lists.

https://twitter.com/TaranakiRugby/status/1759828034012725560?s=20

Franklin has also verbally agreed to return.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350185745/taranaki-rugby-confirm-23-players-contracted-so-far

[taniwharugby]

@Bovidae Northland have started trickling out announcements this week, re-signings so far, expect a couple of new signings to be announced in due course.

[Duluth]

The link to club rugby is almost non existent

[Bovidae]

@taniwharugby Yeah, some PU's are more proactive in engaging with their fanbase and publicly releasing this information.

[Number 10]

NPC draw will be released on March 6. FPC draw will be announced March 5.

[Bovidae]

Hopefully they do away with the midweek game, but they'll probably condense the season even more!

[Kiwiwomble]

@Duluth said in NPC 2024:

The link to club rugby is almost non existent

bit sad really

[Bovidae]

The schedule has been released.

https://www.provincial.rugby/bunnings-npc/fixtures-and-results/

[Dan54]

This appears to be bloody good news for the future of NPC.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350202792/npc-sees-opportunity-tribalism-amid-super-rugby-uncertainty

[Bovidae]

I haven't read the Rugby Almanack in years but there was an article about the five Promising Players of the Year that they named in the 2024 edition.

The players were:
Austin Anderson
Tahlor Cahill
Blair Murray
Josh Taula
Rohan Wingham

[taniwharugby]

[Bovidae]

Auckland have their first RS challenge since 2015 (subject to earlier results).