BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC TEAM PREVIEWS AUCKLAND

SEMI-FINALIST IN 2022: It was a mixed bag for Auckland last season with the team showing glimpses of its potential. In round-robin play, Auckland finished fourth in the Evens Conference with six wins and four losses. Then in the quarter-final, they sneaked past North Harbour 21–18 before getting a 54–19 hiding from eventual champions Wellington in the semi-final.

COACH:

CRAIG McGRATH

CAPTAIN:

HARRY PLUMMER

WEBSITE: aucklandrugby.co.nz

TICKETS: ticketmaster.co.nz

PHONE: 09 815 4850

TAB ODDS: $6.50

KEY PLAYERS: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will want to finish on a high before he returns to rugby league with the New Zealand Warriors. He is part of a talented backline alongside Harry Plummer, AJ Lam and Zarn Sullivan. The forwards have plenty of quality, including hookers Soane Vikena and Leni Apisai, prop Marcel Renata, tough flanker Adrian Choat, plus former All Blacks Patrick Tuipulotu and Akira Ioane who will have higher honours in mind.

YOUNG GUNS: All Blacks Sevens flyer Caleb Tangitau will have learned plenty as part of the Blues squad this year, as well as setting alight the world sevens stage. He has superior speed to most outside backs and could be a sensation at NPC level. Halfback Manu Paea stepped up well when given the chance with Moana Pasifika.

SEASON PROSPECTS: After five seasons in charge, Alama Ieremia has moved on. He has been replaced as head coach by Craig McGrath, assistant for the past three seasons. Auckland’s last title was won back in 2018. Nothing less than finals footy will appease the

North Harbour

QUARTER-FINALIST IN 2022: North Harbour finished second in the Evens Conference with six wins and four losses, which set up an intriguing Battle of the Bridge clash with Auckland in the quarter-final. Harbour jumped out to a 15–6 lead but suffered the heartbreak of conceding an injury time penalty to lose to their great rivals.

COACH:

DANIEL HALANGAHU

CAPTAIN:

BRYN GATLAND

WEBSITE: harbourrugby.co.nz

TICKETS: harbourrugby. flicket.co.nz

PHONE: 09 447 2100

TAB ODDS: $13.00

KEY PLAYERS: First-five Bryn Gatland will be keen to guide Harbour to a finals berth before he leaves for a new start in Japan. He suffered an injury during Super Rugby Pacific but will be back for the NPC. Harbour’s forwards have been strengthened by Hurricanes prop Tevita Mafileo, while New Zealand XV loose forward Cameron Suafoa is set for a big season.

YOUNG GUNS: First-five Oscar Koller is a points-scoring machine and if he gets some game time for Harbour, should be able to replicate his form at NPC level.

Fullback/winger Kade Banks has already proved himself for Harbour with some highly promising performances and this coming campaign could be his opportunity to grab a starting position. Fullback Danyon Morgan-Puterangi is another talent to come through the Westlake Boys’ pathway.

SEASON PROSPECTS: The brilliant back-three from last season, Shaun Stevenson, Tevita Li and Mark Telea, will be sorely missed. It will be a case of back-to-the-future for Harbour, as they return to their spiritual home of Onewa Domain for the first two home games due to