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NZ Domestic comps

waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

Rocky Elsom (76)
Dan54 said:
Yep WOB Counties were originally South Aucklnd anyway (actually started by my group involving my great-grandfather), also I wouldn't be against Harbour being split between Auck and Taniwha. Barnes is right, NPC needs to be less about the cities and more about satelite towns/cities that don'e get tests and super games.
Click to expand...

North Harbour has established itself as something more than just the part of Auckland that's north of the Harbour Bridge. Counties-Manukau otoh doesn't really exist beyond rugby: I've had loads of people tell me they're from South Auckland or Pukekohe, or somewhere on the West side of the Firth of Thames but I don't recall anyone ever saying they were from Counties-Manukau.
 
Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
True mate, but how many people have you heard say they from Horowhenua-Kapiti. Counties was originally South Auckland and Manakau was only really added to make sure the likes city boys didn't feel left out. When it was formwd originally it was what is Counties part of it that actually was the main driving force. I can see your point about North Harbour, but genuinely feel they could split as easily as Counties by just going back to either old baondaries pre NH days or something like that.
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

Rocky Elsom (76)
^ yes but 'nua & Kapiti are distinct local government entities & HRU only became HKRU after the five-into-two (forced) amalgamation that created those Districts.

Pull up the list of C-M clubs then Google the place names & you'll get results such as "Waikato District, Waikato Region" or "Franklin District, Auckland Region".

Other than rugby there's never been anything called "Counties" & the Manukau half used to be a collection of boroughs before they too were forced to first merge then become part of the "Super City" we have today.
 
Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
That was a proper final wasn't it? Geez there were some shattered looking players at end, mind you 100 minutes of that would leave most players stuffed.
Anyway that's it for NPC and domestic stuff here in NZ, so I can head overseas tomoorow knowing I saw another good comp!
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

Rocky Elsom (76)
Thought the Welly prop (?) was gunna get done for head contact in about the 98th minute, the tackle that led to the final scrum. Seemed pretty clear at first glance & was surprised they didn't even look at it in the background.
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

Rocky Elsom (76)
NPC draw is out:

www.provincial.rugby

Bunnings Warehouse NPC

Bunnings Warehouse NPC Fixtures & Results
www.provincial.rugby www.provincial.rugby

Northland get first realistic shot at the Shield. Why can't they tag challenges (RS) like they used to?

I note Aucks v Mooloos is at Eden Park, clearly Auckland Council haven't (yet) got their way wrt regular season matches being at Mount Smart & only playoffs/ Finals at EP. Actually makes a lot of sense, 3-5K crowd looks way less lame at MS than EP.

Farah Palmer Cup & Heartland draws can't be too far away.
 
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Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
I not sure the NZR ever marked the Shield games in draw, that's a paper thing. Really is a waste of time as they find if team loses shield early most of those games are then no longer shield games? Anyway, I got draw from Taranaki and all home games are done in different colour, and I know if we still got the shield they are challenges. We got 2 heartland challenges early and would expect(hope) to still be holding shield at start of NPC.
I also pleased Naki away on Sept 13th, the day of Bok test in Welly, so I won't have to miss any games!
Only trouble with releasing draw so early , I hanging out for it to start now!!!
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

Rocky Elsom (76)
Pre-season Ranfurly Shield challenge:

Taranaki 97-0 Thames Valley

@Dan54 did you head up to Manaia and/ or do you know why 'naki were in Black & blue hoops? Thought youtube had steered me to a Whanganui v TV Heartland match until the 'naki logo came up!
 
Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
waiopehu oldboy said:
Pre-season Ranfurly Shield challenge:

Taranaki 97-0 Thames Valley

@Dan54 did you head up to Manaia and/ or do you know why 'naki were in Black & blue hoops? Thought youtube had steered me to a Whanganui v TV Heartland match until the 'naki logo came up!
Click to expand...
Yep to both WOB. No way was I missing a game especially a shield challenge that close to home ,only been home an hour. The reason Naki were in Blue and Black hoops is that the former Waimate club that was a Manaia club. The game was heavily promoted and in Manaia as that is home of Yarrows bakery, main Naki sponsor, and was all basically put on the celebrate their General manger who is retiring this year after 40 years in company. They actually had a game in Manaia a couple of years back to celebrate Yarrows 100 years of being in business, and that was first time the Blue and Black jersey was used.
I actually a bit pissed, they were selling commentarive ones today, with the Nakis shield record etc on sleeve, but sold out of my size by time I got there, actually only had 4 in total left. When you think it was restricted to 2000 tickets, it shows how much us Naki people are proud to show who they are and support.
 
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Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
The Naki had a decent hit out against Wellington yesterday, won 68-28. So next game is opening game AND a shield game next Saturday night in New Plymouth. I am ready!!!
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

Rocky Elsom (76)
NPC Round 1

Thursday 31 July 2025
19:10 Auckland v Waikato

Friday 1 August 2025
19:10 Manawatū v North Harbour

Saturday 2 August 2025
14:05 Wellington v Canterbury
16:35 Southland v Otago
19:10 Taranaki v Northland (Ranfurly Shield)

Sunday 3 August 2025
14:05 Bay Of Plenty v Tasman
16:35 Hawke's Bay v Counties Manukau

Farah Palmer Cup starts 9 August, Heartland 16 August.
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

Rocky Elsom (76)
Eight AB released for NPC duty:

"Eden Park will host the season opener between Auckland and Waikato on Thursday, with Anton Lienert-Brown potentially.

"Wellington and Canterbury will have Ruben Love and Brodie McAlister respectively at their disposal when they meet in Porirua on Saturday, with Christian Lio-Willie a chance for Otago when they take on Southland in Invercargill on the same day.

"Sunday's two matches will feature Emoni Narawa and Pasilio Tosi for Bay of Plenty, Timoci Tavatavanawai for Tasman, and Dalton Papali'i for Counties Manukau."

www.1news.co.nz

Eight All Blacks released for opening round of NPC

The All Blacks have also given an update on their injury list ahead of the Rugby Championship series.
www.1news.co.nz www.1news.co.nz
 
Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
Not real sure what it means those players getting released. Do they need game time before going to Argentina (and maybe not earmarked for those games) or are they on outer?
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

Rocky Elsom (76)
Most of them didn't get many minutes v France so I think it's about game time more than having to play their way into the squad esp with at least four of the France squad out & this one being a bit bigger.
 
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