Highlanders Across the Regions: NPC Round 2

The opening weekend of the NPC provided lots of excitement - emerging stars announced themselves, familiar faces returned to form, and new and returning Highlanders players had the opportunity to get back out on the field.  

Round one saw a new look Southland team featuring 13 debutants, including Highlanders National Development Contract (NDC) player, 19-year-old Jimmy Taylor (younger brother of Highlanders Hooker Jack Taylor) starting at first-five. While Otago, last year's finalists, kicked off the season with a similar squad to 2025 and looked a step ahead of Southland for most of the match, with Otago taking the win 41-14. Off the field, however, Southland had plenty to celebrate with a crowd and fan support all other provinces can be jealous of.  

Round one also showed just how close this year's NPC could be, with several matches decided by only a handful of points and Highlanders contracted players made their mark right across the country with several standout individual performances;  

Lucas Casey was among the best, scoring twice for Otago, including an outstanding 80-metre runaway try.  

Highlanders' duo Nikora Broughton and Veveni Lasaqa (Bay of Plenty) both had solid days out despite being on the wrong side of the scoreline. Broughton was hard to stop with ball in hand and made 23 tackles in the No 8 jersey. Lasaqa had great impact off the bench and scored two tries when he came onto the field after a one-sided first half that saw Waikato lead 35-0 going into the break.  Waikato held on to win 38-26 despite only scoring three points to BOP’s 26 in the second half.  

Xavier Tito-Harris showed unmatched pace and perfect timing against Canterbury, where he picked up an intercept try in Auckland's close 31-38 loss to Canterbury. 

The Highlander's halfback stocks are looking in good shape with both Adam Lennox (Taranaki) and Folau Fakatava (Hawkes Bay) helping both of their teams to wins with a try each.  

Round 1 Results 

• Waikato 38 – 26 Bay of Plenty 
• Tasman 31 - 29 North Harbour   
• Taranaki 20 - 5 Counties Manukau 
• Otago 41 - 14 Southland 
• Canterbury 38 - 31 Auckland   
• Northland 40 - 14 Manawatū   
• Hawke's Bay 52 - 33 Wellington 

Shield Fever Returns 

This week, one of New Zealand rugby's most revered prizes, the Ranfurly Shield, is back in the spotlight.  

Otago is preparing to defend the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in this year’s NPC competition when they take on Canterbury this weekend.  

This clash comes with plenty of recent history, with the last shield change coming from Otago defeating Canterbury in last year's round robin. But it was Canterbury who had the last laugh as they denied Otago in last year's NPC final in Christchurch.  

Both teams look like genuine title contenders once again after both opening the season with first-round victories.  

Otago will again look to standout performers from Round One, including Lucas Casey, Sam Nemec-Vial and Jona Nareki.  

Canterbury are always among the competition's strongest sides, especially with ex-All Black first five-eighth Richie Mo'unga expected to start for the Shield challenge. This will be another hotly contested battle between these two NPC teams on Sunday as the pressure ramps up with the Ranfurly Shield on the line. (Tickets available from orfu.flicket.co.nz) 

Another match to keep an eye; Taranaki vs Waikato Fri 7 Aug 7:10pm. The likes of Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Adam Lennox will hope to keep Taranaki’s winning streak alive.  

With the Ranfurly Shield on the line at Forsyth Barr Stadium and several Highlanders poised to build on impressive Round One performances, Round Two shapes as another must-watch weekend of provincial rugby. 

Matches in Round 2

Thursday 6 August
North Harbour vs Counties Manukau – 7.10pm

Friday 7 August
Taranaki vs Waikato – 7.10pm

Saturday 8 August
Auckland vs Wellington – 2.05pm
Bay of Plenty vs Northland – 5.05pm
Hawke's Bay vs Tasman – 7.10pm

Sunday 9 August
Otago vs Canterbury (RS) – 2.05pm
Manawatū vs Southland – 5.05pm

Players to Watch in Round 2: 

Lucas Casey – Otago  

• Coming off two tries against Southland, the elusive loose forward will look to light up the hard track of Forsyth Barr under the roof. His ability to break a game open could prove crucial against Canterbury.  

Veveni Lasaqa - Bay of Plenty 

• A strong performance coming off the bench last week if he earns the starting position for Bay of Plenty, he is one of Bay of Plenty’s biggest threats. 

Tuna Tuitama – Counties Manukau 

• The Highlanders' newest international duo will be worth keeping an eye on. Tuitama will look to impress on the wing for Counties Manukau as he did for Moana. 

Joseva Tamani – Otago 

• Tamani has been in impressive form with his physicality for Otago, which has earned him his Highlanders contract.  

Watch on Sky and TVNZ