NPC 2024

[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).

[Kiwiwomble]

not sure things are looking good for Otago getting a challenge, think might needs an upset

[Kiwiwomble]

just realised i hadn't seen @Stargazer for a while, last post was early december, just gave up?

[Frank]

@Kiwiwomble said in NPC 2024:

just realised i hadn't seen @Stargazer for a while, last post was early december, just gave up?

I was wondering the same thing.

[george33]

Corey Evans has signed for Northland obviously heading home think that was rumoured early on

[Tim]

From Mangawhai originally.

[Bovidae]

@Tim

@Steven-Harris did mention that Parker may be going back home at some stage. Oh well, a good opportunity for even younger Waikato no.8s like Malachi Wrampling and Te Rama Reuben to play more.

[Mr Fish]

Parker is the kind of guy the Highlanders would pick up in the past and have him instantly starting, then he'd been an All Black within a year.

Hopefully he sticks with the Chiefs, they've shown a lot of faith in him through multiple years of injuries.

[taniwharugby]

@Tim yeah I know Northland have been doing a bit of work with players like him and Evans as well as others from the region (playing elsewhere) to try and entice them back.

I think our HP facilities are starting to pay dividends.

Was chatting to a young fella I used to help coach who is in the HP set up (was in Blues U19s last year too) and he said they are training 4 times a week, so be interesting to see how he goes this year as it will be his 1st year of Senior rugby.

[kev]

[Tim]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ranfurly-shield-challengers-south-canterbury-pull-out-of-hawkes-bay-trip-citing-cost-new-challenger-found/GEBZBIV6ZZBX3ONIR4YIH4UYGE/

[Tim]

https://twitter.com/paulcullystuff/status/1796297057009025436

[SouthernMann]

How much does it cost to bring a coach across from Australia...

[SouthernMann]

An interesting story in the Southland Tribune that Sevu Reece is considering playing for Southland this season. Would seem a stupid signing if he is just going to play for the All Blacks. On the flipside, it could mean he is likely to go overseas and Ta$man is letting him go, instead of Tavatavanawai, who has also been runoured to be joining Southland. The publication also talked ablut Byron Smith's first game in Southland club rugby.

[SouthernMann]

Sevu Reece confirmed to be lining up with Southland this year https://x.com/TasmanMako/status/1798966281791795223?t=Mh9Jdp1Ibes4_RoitPwaMw&s=19

[frugby]

@SouthernMann said in NPC 2024:

Sevu Reece confirmed to be lining up with Southland this year https://x.com/TasmanMako/status/1798966281791795223?t=Mh9Jdp1Ibes4_RoitPwaMw&s=19

That is hilarious. Even though it is real it feels like a wind-up.

[SouthernMann]

Six games in four years for Ta$man. Tavatavanawai was also rumoured to be going to Southland. Wonder if this cleared some money for him to stay at Ta$man now.