NPC

2022 - 8 - 5

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

NPC: Canterbury hammer Manawatū 62-15 as dumped All Black ... (Stuff.co.nz)

On this evidence, Canterbury are going to be serious title contenders with experienced Super Rugby players throughout their squad.

A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. If quality local sport journalism is important to you, become a Stuff supporter today. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. The Turbos host Auckland on Wednesday. Manasa Mataele’s breakaway try at the start of the second half snuffed out any chance of a Turbos fightback. However, workaholic No 7 Tom Christie was into everything during an 80-minute shift and made sure Manawatū couldn’t get any flow into their game.

Counties Manukau snatch dramatic 23-22 victory over Otago in NPC ... (Stuff.co.nz)

A drop goal from Riley Hohepa right at the death gave the hosts the spoils at Pukekohe after trailing by nine with 10 minutes to play.

A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. If quality local sport journalism is important to you, become a Stuff supporter today. Danny Toala spotted a gap and dived over from close range, with Makene adding the extras. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. But their lead lasted a matter of seconds as Waikato went straight up the other end and restored their advantage, Danny Sinkinson finishing off a sweeping move from left to right in the corner. The Magpies started the second half on the front foot and a high tackle from Luke Jacobson on Weber gave the visitors a chance to go ahead.

Plenty of talent in Otago line-up (Otago Daily Times)

Otago: Sam Gilbert, Vilimoni Koroi, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, James Lentjes, Sean Withy, Oliver Haig, ...

The arrival of Oliver Haig has helped answer a few questions. Winger Jona Nareki has been sidelined with an ACL injury for the best part of a year. His tactical kicking gets a prize from the top shelf and you cannot give him space lest he slip through a gap. He has a quality passing game. The captain James Lentjes will slot into No 8 until Christian Lio-Willie returns from an ankle complaint. He got himself involved close to the ruck and created havoc for the Canterbury defence.

Magpies draw 32-32 with Waikato in epic NPC opener - NZ Herald (New Zealand Herald)

The Hawke's Bay Magpies opened their NPC season with a golden point thriller in Hamilton, drawing 32-32 against defending champions Waikato on Saturday ...

McKenzie missed two long-range drop goals either side of a goalline drop-out from the Magpies, and Hawke's Bay put the ball out with time up to settle for the draw. The Mooloos defensive line speed got them out of jail and a Hawke's Bay penalty for not rolling away allowed Damian McKenzie to make it 32-27 in the 59th minute. Hawke's Bay halfback Brad Weber got on the end of some silky touches from Neria Foma'i and Jonah Lowe to put the Magpies back in front with a try.

Damian McKenzie misses three chances to seal victory for Waikato ... (Stuff.co.nz)

The All Blacks playmaker won't forget his NPC return in a hurry after having a day forget off the tee in a 32-32 draw with Hawke's Bay.

A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. If quality local sport journalism is important to you, become a Stuff supporter today. Danny Toala spotted a gap and dived over from close range, with Makene adding the extras. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. But when Harbour prop Nic Mayhew was sinbinned for coming in from the side and collapsing a maul on the line, not only did he concede a penalty try but the hosts followed with two further tries in quick succession – fullback Zarn Sullivan finished his own break and they crossed from another lineout maul – to score 21 points in seven minutes. The Magpies started the second half on the front foot and a high tackle from Luke Jacobson on Weber gave the visitors a chance to go ahead.

The future of the NPC is under-23: provincial rugby's jewel must ... (Stuff.co.nz)

Paul Cully is a Stuff sports writer. OPINION: The good old days of provincial rugby aren't coming back – two decades of Super Rugby has taken care of that.

A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. Reshaping the NPC wouldn’t be about degrading the provincial unions. At the moment, rugby asks an awful lot of time-poor punters. It’s been in the too-hard basket for too long, and the NPC do with some clarity. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. But, you say, what about the late bloomers?