NPC 2025

[Bovidae]

@Daffy-Jaffy Sam Howling is from Auckland, so a local.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Bovidae Yes true ( I knew his dad from when he played for Ponies as a kid back in the eighties) but they brought Sam back from Welly where he was playing the year before.

[Bovidae]

Some info about the Manawatū squad. They have gained and lost some players from last year.

The Post

[Steven Harris]

@Bovidae I wonder what’s happened to Tyler Laubscher ?
Man I rate this kid but seems to have more injuries than one can imagine

[Bovidae]

@Steven-Harris You probably answered your own question (re: injuries). Manawatū Rugby have club team lists on their FB page so maybe Laubscher is back playing.

[Mr Fish]

Think Lima Sopoaga is finished in Japan so could pick up an NPC contract (and wouldn't be a bad SR squaddie).

[Tim]

This might be an interesting read:

The Post

[Tim]

@Mr-Fish He posted on Twitter tonight that he is living in Hamilton.

[Mr Fish]

@Tim From Tokyo to Hamilton - it's definitely a change.

I'm sure he'd be an asset for Waikato, especially if Cruden isn't returning.

[Bovidae]

Sopoaga looked to be carrying some extra weight when he was a surprise addition to the Suburbs Presidents team last year. I'm sure Cruden said he intends to play again this year.

[Bovidae]

@Tim said in NPC 2025:

This might be an interesting read:

This was definitely interesting:

Yet, despite fears from some provincial unions about its direction, the Star-Times understands the report endorsed the NPC as the best player development option for NZ Rugby in its current structure, supporting arguments that have been made by NPC champions such as Taranaki coach Neil Barnes.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae said in NPC 2025:

I'm sure Cruden said he intends to play again this year

Mate of mine spoke to him after the Chiefs game a few weeks back. He hinted he was still gonna be playing.

[Bovidae]

I see that the first Ranfurly Shield challenge is this Wed. Some SR players are straight into action. Free entry for the locals to celebrate the fully reopened Stadium Taranaki.

🚨 Ranfurly Shield Team Update
Unfortunately Obey Samate has been ruled out with injury. Jack Parker steps into the 23 jersey and will be in line to make his Yarrows Taranaki Bulls debut.

[ARHS]

Fiti Sa playing again

[Bovidae]

@ARHS said in NPC 2025:

Fiti Sa playing again

He looks to have been back in training with the Chiefs for a few weeks, but I think this will be Sa's first game of the year.

[Higgins]

Wellington will be playing all their home games at Porirua Park this season. Went there for the Wellington v Taranaki match one cold wet Sunday last year for $10.00 but this year it looks like they have ramped up their GA price to $24.00 per game if their sale price for season tickets ($120.00) is anything to go by. No doubt there will probably be an admin fee lumped on top of that for those purchasing match tickets at the gate on the day.

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[Canes4life]

@Higgins said in NPC 2025:

Wellington will be playing all their home games at Porirua Park this season. Went there for the Wellington v Taranaki match one cold wet Sunday last year for $10.00 but this year it looks like they have ramped up their GA price to $24.00 per game if their sale price for season tickets ($120.00) is anything to go by. No doubt there will probably be an admin fee lumped on top of that for those purchasing match tickets at the gate on the day.

Buy Membership

As a Porirua Park Member, you'll receive the following exclusive benefits:

It's daylight robbery, no way in hell should the Lions be charging that much for entry. $15 max IMO.

It's still the same price point as it was in the early 2000s, they need to get up with the times.

[Bovidae]

So who is Miracle Faiʻilagi going to play for? One of the greater Auckland teams I assume.

[SouthernMann]

@Bovidae said in NPC 2025:

So who is Miracle Faiʻilagi going to play for? One of the greater Auckland teams I assume.

Surely he goes to Ta$man. Was so close to playing for them in 2023

[Landers92]

All of bit null and void with Ngani Laumape signing on with Manawatu again but thought I’d share that he was close to signing on with North Harbour. Sounds like Manawatu came to the party to keep him around so he ended up staying true to his roots