NPC - news, injuries etc

[Tim]

[Yeetyaah]

@tim said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

NPC predictions

Premiership winner: Ta$man
Finalists: Ta$man, Auckland, Canterbury, BOP
Relegated: Waikato

Championship winner: Otago
Finalists: Otago, North Harbour, Northland, Taranaki
Last: Southland

Where's the down vote option

[Bovidae]

This is a fan competition on the Waikato FB page. As I am not on FB I haven't voted but have kept an interested eye in who has been selected, and will eventually compare it to the all-time Waikato XV from the thread last year.

When I saw the front row chosen I was half-expecting the late 1980s-early 1990s team to be selected en masse, but no. The forward pack has now been selected. There is some recency bias with the selections. Personally, I would have chosen Ian Clarke at LH and moved Loe to TH. However, this front row was dominant in its era. I'd also have picked Holah over local legend Monkley in a close call. I was also expecting Mitchell to be the no.8. Muir was a favourite of mine and another centurion.

Let's see who the backline is.

[ARHS]

Hmmm. Tkb DMAC Bryce Cowley ALB Bruce Smith Sivivatu Don Clarke. No room for Birtwistle Taylor or Beaver.

[Bovidae]

@arhs The selection panel has chosen Rhys Duggan, Ponty Reid and Tawera Kerr-Barlow for the halfback options. One position at a time.

[Yeetyaah]

@bovidae nah mate, pride of Matamata Brendon Leonard.

[ARHS]

Thought hard about Reid but never saw him play

[Stargazer]

I haven't seen similar pictures from the other franchises, but I always like these:

[Stargazer]

Referees:

Manawatu v Counties Manukau
Friday 6 August
7.05pm, CET Arena, Palmerston North
Downer Referee: Angus Mabey

Taranaki v Hawke’s Bay
Saturday 7 August
2.05pm, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
Downer Referee: Jono Bredin

Wellington v Northland
Saturday 7 August
2.05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Downer Referee: Tipene Cottrell

Otago v Southland
Saturday 7 August
4.35pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Downer Referee: Dan Waenga

Bay of Plenty v Ta$man
Sunday 8 August
2.05pm, Tauranga Domain
Downer Referee: Brendon Pickerill

North Harbour v Waikato
Sunday 8 August
2.05pm, North Harbour Stadium
Downer Referee: Nick Hogan

Auckland v Canterbury
Sunday 8 August
4.35pm, Eden Park, Auckland
Downer Referee: Nick Briant

Bunnings NPC Round 1 Match Appointments and Team Lists

The Bunnings NPC kicks off on Friday 6 August with Tasman Mako out to defend their Premiership title and a new contender looking to rise up from the Championship.

[Tim]

I see that NZ Rugby are sticking to their usual zero promotion scheme.

[Stargazer]

@tim What do you mean with that?

[Tim]

@stargazer I've seen almost no press coverage, advertising, social media content, or other forms of promotion for the NPC. My parents (who watch almost any rugby) didn't even know it started this weekend.

The opening game is a near bottom of the 2nd division clash. It's a poor effort from NZ Rugby, as usual for the NPC.

[Tim]

Auckland aren't even playing the derby game against North Harbour this year.

[Stargazer]

@tim I don't no what your expectations are, but I've seen plenty on Twitter and Facebook, esp this last week. Mostly FPC before that.

Auckland not playing Harbour is a result of Harbour being relegated and the way the crossover games are picked each year. Nothing NZR can do about that.

[Kiwiwomble]

@tim said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

@stargazer I've seen almost no press coverage, advertising, social media content, or other forms of promotion for the NPC. My parents (who watch almost any rugby) didn't even know it started this weekend.

The opening game is a near bottom of the 2nd division clash. It's a poor effort from NZ Rugby, as usual for the NPC.

yeah, i havent seen much, didn't click it was starting this week until i saw the match thread and then the team announcements yesterday, was hoping there was more in NZ

[Stargazer]

Also, the advertising of games is the responsibility of provincial unions, not NZR.

I agree the media coverage is terrible, but I think that has more to do with those media culling their sports/rugby reporters, than with NZR.

[cgrant]

@tim said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

NPC predictions

Premiership winner: Ta$man
Finalists: Ta$man, Auckland, Canterbury, BOP
Relegated: Waikato

Championship winner: Otago
Finalists: Otago, North Harbour, Northland, Taranaki
Last: Southland

Taranaki to be the Championship winner, IMO.

[ARHS]

My punt is BOP v Ta$man final. Taranaki v Otago in lower div final

[Bovidae]

The word is that Valynce Te Whare made himself unavailable for Waikato, not that they didn't select him.

[Stargazer]