NPC overview
Campbell Burnes loves this time of year, and he contends that the 46th edition of the NPC promises much for those who actually tune into it.
We run the rule over the 46th edition of the NPC, with its old school name, tweaked rules, Ranfurly Shield, young hopefuls and provincial pride to the fore.
Many in the rugby media will try to downplay the importance of the NPC, now officially under the sponsorship of another building materials company, bunnings.
They will say the competition loses money (true) and that it’s increasingly irrelevant as a third-tier competition (false).
That is because they do not watch enough of it to uncover the gold dust. The NPC does suffer because, unlike its bloated cousin super rugby, it jostles for column inches and air time with the All blacks, the cash cow of the game. national news organisations do not devote enough resources to it, but that just means local papers are all the more valuable. So hats off to the Otago Daily Times, Northern Advocate and the Bay of Plenty Times, along with the Whanganui Chronicle, Gisborne Herald and the Oamaru Mail, among others in the Heartland Championship regions, who still shine a much-needed light on provincial rugby.
Okay, now that I have that off my chest… to the rugby itself.
There were all sorts of things that could have derailed the 2020 NPC, last known as the Mitre 10 Cup. Covid-19 did not just cast a shadow over the competition, it actively disrupted the August pre-season for north Harbour, Auckland, Counties
Manukau and any northlander living south of wellsford. Crowds everywhere were restricted for several weeks.
The All Blacks did appear for the first two rounds, which was a welcome and long overdue sight. now they will sift back in for the odd game if they need match fitness or are on the comeback trail from injury. That is, alas, the way of the world these days.
yet that only increases the opportunities for some prime raw talent, whom you may have seen in First XV rugby or in April’s super rugby under 20 tournament in Taupo. The new Zealand under 20s were as low profile as they come last month, but they did play four non-first-class fixtures and will move into their provinces to show more of their undoubted wares.
There is plenty of inter-provincial silverware up for grabs, and not just the ranfurly shield, which the Magpies will do their utmost to retain. If they do that, it will go a long way towards them reaching the Premiership semifinals.
The Premiership was as tight as a drum last season, and is looking very much that way again. no one will be thinking of avoiding relegation, as uk Premiership teams do every season, but all will have their eye on the top four.
The 2020 finalists, Auckland and Tasman, will again be strong. The Auks have made some key signings but will look to most of their super rugby players to lead the way. The big loss will be TJ Faiane, who was the glue to their backline.
The Mako will not be toothless but will have to make do without at least six of their seven All Blacks. This will be the ultimate test of the Mako depth and success of its academy.
Canterbury will, surely, bounce back from the disappointment of 2020. watch waisake naholo go on the wing. If he can
‘There is plenty of interprovincial silverware up for grabs, and not just the Ranfurly Shield, which the Magpies will do their utmost to retain.’
recapture some of his best form from yesteryear, then watch the super rugby sides line up to sign him.
bay of Plenty could be the dark horse, with a new coach at the helm – Daryl gibson – and some very astute signings. we don’t want to tempt fate, but 1976, when the steamers won their only NPC crown, was a long time between drinks.
That leaves waikato, wellington and Hawke’s bay.
As hinted at, Hawke’s bay’s away form could determine the outcome of its season.
There is an unknown quantity about the Mooloos, who would love nothing more than to toast their centennial with a first title since 2006 when the competition expanded.
One of their best in 2020, Adam Thomson, has moved into the coaching ranks, while stephen Donald, too, moves into this sphere.
Wellington could easily be semifinalists or relegated, but much will depend on how either Aidan Morgan or ruben Love cope with running the cutter, as the solid Jackson garden-bachop remains on the injured list.
The Championship race had a clear final demarcation between the semifinalists and the bottom three last season. That line is smudged in 2021. Though Otago and Taranaki look the most powerful squads
on paper, stern challenges will come from Counties Manukau, northland, north Harbour, Southland and Manawatu. All five could be semifinalists, but we know that, even if we are poor at maths, five does not go into two.
All seven of the Championship teams can, of course, upset the applecart by winning crossover games, and that has been the norm for an average of nine or 10 occasions each year since this format came into being in 2011. There is parity in this NPC and long may it continue.
The NPC tends to be one of the guinea pigs every time world rugby wants to tweak the game’s laws, which is every year. Just as long as we do not revert to the ridiculous breakdown laws of 2016, which rendered fetchers obsolete and just saw a whole lot of hacking at the ball in lieu of decent rucks… chaotic.
This competition will see the red card replacement regulation (good), whereby any player sent from the field can be subbed after 20 minutes. Draws are out too, with golden point in place for all regular season fixtures – but not the playoffs, which will head to extra time if required.
The 50:22 law is an interesting and potentially good one, whereby any player who kicks a ball out, though not on the full, in the opposition 22m from his own half gives his team the lineout.
The intention is said to be about creating more attacking space, as defensive teams may drop an extra player back to cover this.
The ‘flying wedge’ tactic has been banned, where two or more players bind together with the ball carrier, and there is more protection for dangerous cleaning out of the jackler, which may help reduce injuries in that dangerous jackling position that the first to the ruck often finds himself in.
so, all is in readiness, as nisbo would say. Time to engage with your team and watch some of the emerging talent, the free-flowing rugby and the provincial pride on show.
There are no restrictions on this competition (fingers crossed). That is enough to warm the cockles of even the most cynical heart.
‘There are no restrictions on this competition (fingers crossed). That is enough to warm the cockles of even the most cynical heart.’