RUGBY2023 CONTENTS

4 NPC SEASON AND RUGBY WORLD CUP PREVIEW

We preview the men’s NPC and Rugby World Cup to be played in France in September and October.

7 ALL BLACKS PLAYERS PROFILES

The 36 All Blacks selected to contest the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship are profiled.

NPC TEAM PREVIEWS

We preview all 20 teams, their hopes and aspirations ahead of the new season.

12 AUCKLAND, NORTH HARBOUR

14 NORTHLAND BAY OF PLENTY

16 COUNTIES MANUKAU

17 WAIKATO

18 HAWKE’S BAY, MANAWATŪ

26 FARAH PALMER CUP

Here is the draw of all the games in this year’s Farah Palmer Cup, which is expected to be another thrilling competition.

28 HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP

Twelve teams will kick-off the Heartland Championship in the hope of becoming the next Meads Cup or Lochore Cup champions.

Rugby World Cup Team Previews

We preview all 20 teams, their prospects and recent developments ahead of the tournament.

32 NEW ZEALAND

33 FRANCE, ITALY

34 URUGUAY, NAMIBIA

37 IRELAND, SOUTH AFRICA

38 SCOTLAND, TONGA

41 ROMANIA, AUSTRALIA

42 WALES, GEORGIA

43 FIJI, PORTUGAL

44 ENGLAND

31 Rugby World Cup Draw

Four pools of five teams will contest the 10th version of the men’s Rugby World Cup to be held in France.

24 NPC FIXTURES

This year’s NPC will have all 14-teams represented in a single points table, with the top eight teams progressing to the play-offs.

ISSN 2463-7041 (Print)

ISSN 2463-705X (Online)

45 ARGENTINA, JAPAN

46 SAMOA, CHILE

COVER IMAGES: As pictured, clockwise: All Blacks Sam Cane and Sam Whitelock after beating South Africa at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, last August; champion Wellington team captain Du’Plessis Kirifi in action; Paula Fifita takes the ball up for South Canterbury in last year’s Meads Cup final win over Whanganui; Rosie Kelly scores a try for Canterbury in the Farah Palmer Cup match against Otago; centre, the Webb Ellis Cup is up for grabs at the Rugby World Cup to be played in France.

NOTE: The TAB odds quoted throughout the magazine and the team World Rankings were correct on 24 July 2023. For the latest odds visit tab.co.nz COPYRIGHT: Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited. DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any loss due to use of material in this magazine.