NPC
The Bunnings NPC is the 2nd tier Rugby Competition in New Zealand and features 14 teams from across New Zealand.
Cakobau runs 50 metres for first NPC try
North Harbour Hooker Penaia Cakobau scored a stunning try in the closing minutes of their loss to the Mako.
Channelling his inner-winger, he ran 50 metres, evading a couple of defenders and showed great footwork and pace to score his first try in the NPC.
Cakobau has played every match so far this season but is yet to taste victory with North Harbour who have lost every match including Saturday afternoon's 19-43 loss to Tasman.
Canterbury too good for Magpies
Canterbury are still yet to taste defeat in 2025 after an impressive 26-7 win on the road against Hawkes Bay.
Winger Chay Fihaki was prominent in the match, scoring a try and kicking 3 conversions.
He also made the most metres in the match with 88 metres from 14 carries, 4 linebreaks and a match high 7 defenders beaten.
Fellow Fijian Manasa Mataele also crossed for a 5 pointer in the 32nd minute.
Komaisavai scores in starting debut
Esi Komaisavai was handed his first starting jersey at NPC level and he didn't disappoint, scoring his maiden NPC try for the Lions in the 34th minute of their match against Otago.
The Bau native was impressive in his starting debut and in the 34th minute, scurried over from close range, evading a couple of defenders to score in the left corner.
Otago upset defending champions
Otago caused the upset of the weekend in the NPC by beating Wellington 46-41.
Despite the wet conditions, both teams scored some stunning tries but it was the visitors who came away with the points.
Lock Joseva Tamani set up Jona Nareki for a try in the 52nd minute after throwing a "precision" pass to the unmarked winger.
Counties lose at the death
A heartbreaking loss for Counties Manukau on Sunday afternoon, losing 26-27 to Waikato thanks to an 80th minute penalty goal.
Steelers winger Peniasi Malimali scored his first try of the season in the 35th minute when he powered through a couple of defenders from 10 metres out.
Number 8 Hoskins Sotutu also got across the line after a tap and run from close range, powering over for his first try of the season.
Prop Emosi Tuqiri made his debut for Counties, coming off the bench in the 69th minute.
Bulls make a statement
Taranaki are the early season favourites after a commanding 50-8 dismantling of Auckland on Saturday night.
Winger Vereniki Tikoisolomone scored his 3rd try in as many matches, the Cakaudrove native scoring in each of their first 3 games.
Fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens came away with 3 try assists while halfback Leone Nawai also set up the first try.
Tamani top-shelf in loss
Joseva Tamani scored his first try for Otago in the 28th minute of their loss to Hawkes Bay.
The home side trailed 0-17 before the Fijian Drua flanker ran into a gaping whole from the back of a lineout, beating the fullback for a great try.
The try was quickly followed up by a Jona Nareki 5 pointer, finishing off a linebreak in the left corner.
Otago kept within reach and stayed in the fight but ultimately couldn't get the job done, losing 21-27.
NPC round 2 debuts
Wellingon's promising young halfback Esi Komaisavai made his NPC debut in their round 2 clash against Waikato, coming off the bench in the 43rd minute to help his side to victory over Waikato.
On Sunday, Prop Harold Rounds will come off the bench in what will be his maiden NPC match too, against Counties Manukau.
Rova with the goods in Canterbury win
Jone Rova was the hero for Canterbury, striking in the 69th minute to seal a thrilling 19–15 victory over Auckland.
The nuggety centre chased down a clever kick, diving on it ahead of the cover defence before bouncing to his feet and charging the rest of the way to score. He also forced a couple of crucial turnovers late.
The win keeps Canterbury unbeaten after two rounds, sitting second on the ladder.
Taranaki remain on top
Taranaki stay on top of the NPC ladder after a 46–24 Round 2 win over North Harbour.
Wingers Taniela Rakuro and Vereniki Tikoisolomone both found the line.
Rakuro latched onto a slick offload and burned down the left wing to bag his first NPC try.
Tikoisolomone sealed the deal in the 74th minute, making it two tries from two rounds.
JRK stunning performance in 50th
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was put in a 5-star performance in his 50th NPC appearance.
He set up all 3 of Taranaki's tries, first in the 7th minute throwing the last pass for Vereniki Tikoisolomone, He broke through on a kick return in the 20th minute, turning it back for Josh Jacomb to score before slicing through the defence early in the 2nd half before throwing a Fijian-style offload for Adam Lennox to score under the posts.
In trying conditions the Bulls looked far more polished and came away with a 23-3 win over the Taniwha.
Rakuro scores 5 in Taranaki debut
Taniela Rakuro made his debut for Taranaki in the Ranfurly Shield match against Thames Valley, delivering a performance to remember.
The explosive winger from Nadroga-Navosa crossed the line five times, equalling the record for most tries in a single match for Taranaki—a feat previously achieved by Mark Robinson (1997), George Loveridge (1913), and David Vesty (1971).
Rakuro, who has 23 Super Rugby caps with the Fijian Drua, dedicated the performance to his village back in Fiji. The match ended in a dominant 97–0 win for Taranaki at Manaia Domain.
Fellow Fijian winger Vereniki Tikoisolomone also made his mark, scoring two tries and setting up several others in a commanding all-round display from the home side.
Rakuro signs with Taranaki Bulls
2023 NPC Champions Taranaki have signed Fijian Drua speedster Taniela Rakuro for the upcoming Bunnings NPC season.
The Bulls were actively in the market for an impactful winger given Kini Naholo has been ruled out for the season.
“We’ve built this team around our own, and I don’t often look out of region,” said Head Coach Neil Barnes. “But when you lose a player like Kini, you have to find someone who brings similar impact. Taniela’s a class finisher with all the traits we value in a Taranaki player. He’s physical, hard-working, and team-first. We’re thrilled to bring him in.”
Tiko signs with Staggs
Former Fijian Drua Prop Jone Tiko will line up for the Southland Staggs in this year's Bunnings NPC.
Tiko played 2 matches in his debut season last year with the Mako after leaving the Drua.
The announcement was made via social media.
Southland finished last season in 12th position with a 3-7 record.
Player Updates
Esi Komaisavai was handed his first starting jersey at NPC level and he didn’t disappoint, scoring his maiden NPC try for the Lions in the 34th minute of their match against Otago.
The Bau native was impressive in his starting debut and in the 34th minute, scurried over from close range, evading a couple of defenders to score in the left corner.
Otago caused the upset of the NPC weekend after beating defending champions Wellington 46-41 in a high scoring affair.
Despite the slippery conditions, both side played some brilliant attacking rugby but it was the visitors who came away with the points.
Jona Nareki scored his 2nd try of the season after receiving a precision cut-out pass from fellow Fijian Joe Tamani.
Joseva Tamani scored his first try for Otago in the 28th minute of their loss to Hawkes Bay.
The home side trailed 0-17 before the Fijian Drua flanker ran into a gaping whole from the back of a lineout, beating the fullback for a great try.
The try was quickly followed up by a Jona Nareki 5 pointer, finishing off a linebreak in the left corner.
Otago kept within reach and stayed in the fight but ultimately couldn’t get the job done, losing 21-27.
George Bower made his All-Blacks return in their final test of their 3 match series against France.
The loosehead Prop who played his last test match in November 2022, was months out from eligibility for Fiji but his return to the Black jersey puts an end to the suggestions that he would represent the Flying Fijians.
