Canterbury Beat Otago For NPC Title

Canterbury has won the 2025 NPC title after beating Otago.

Canterbury: 36 

Tries: Dallas McLeod, Brodie McAllister, Manasa Mataele, Braydon Ennor, Louie Chapman, Gus Brown, Conversions: Chay Fihaki 3

Otago: 28 

Tries: Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Lucas Casey, Benjamin Lopas, Jona Nareki, Conversions: Cam Millar 3, Finn Hurley

Canterbury And Otago Teams Named For NPC Final

Both the Canterbury and Otago teams have been named for the NPC Final match at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch at 4.05pm on Saturday 25th October.

Canterbury:

1. Finlay Brewis, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. Seb Calder, 4. Liam Jack, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Zach Gallagher, 7. Tom Christie (c), 8. Dominic Gardiner, 9. Louie Chapman, 10. Andrew Knewstubb, 11. Ngatungane Punivai, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Manasa Mataele, 15. Chay Fihaki

Reserves:

 16. Nick Hyde, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Gus Brown, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Torian Barnes, 21. Tyson Belworthly, 22. James White, 23. Jone Rova

Otago: 

1. Abraham Pole, 2. Nic Souchon, 3. Rohan Wingham, 4. Will Tucker, 5. Oliver Haig, 6. Will Stodart, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Dylan Pledger, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13. Josh Timu, 14. Jae Broomfield, 15. Sam Gilbert (c)

Reserves: 

16. Liam Coltman, 17. Benjamin Lopas, 18. Moana Takataka, 19. Joseva Tamani, 20. Harry Taylor, 21. Nathan Hastie, 22. Josh Whaanga, 23. Finn Hurley

NPC Semi Final-Results

Otago and Canterbury will face off in the NPC final at Apollo Projects Stadium on Saturday after their wins over Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay.

Otago: 41

Tries: Jona Nareki, Christian Lio-Willie, Will Stodart, Dylan Pledger, Finn Hurley Conversions: Cameron Millar 5, Penalties: Millar, Sam Gilbert

Bay of Plenty: 17

Tries: Viveni Lasaqa, Cole Forbes, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Conversion: Lucas Cashmore 

Canterbury: 43

Tries: Ngane Punivai, Sam Darry, Dallas McLeod 2, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Tom Christie, Conversions: Chay Fihaki 5, Penalty: Fihaki

Hawke’s Bay: 19 

Tries: Neria Fomai, Folau Fakatava, Jonah Lowe, Conversions: Lincoln McClutchie 2

All Blacks XV Named For Europe Matches

All Blacks XV coach Jamie Joseph has named his side for the end of year European matches.

All Blacks XV Squad:

Hookers: Brodie McAlister, Jack Taylor, Bradley Slater.

Props: George Dyer, Josh Fusitua, Benet Kumeroa, Siale Lauaki, Xavier Numia.

Locks: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Beehre, Isaia Walker-Leawere.

Loose forwards: Kaylum Boshier, Devan Flanders, Te Kamaka Howden, Christian Lio-Willie, Dalton Papali’i, Sean Withy.

Halfbacks: Folau Fakatava, Kyle Preston, Xavier Roe.

First fives: Josh Jacomb, Rivez Reihana.

Midfield: Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Dallas McLeod, Daniel Rona.

Outside backs: Chay Fihaki, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Caleb Tangitau.

Match Schedule:

All Blacks XV v Barbarians, Sunday 2 November, Brentford, 2.15am

All Blacks XV v England A, Sunday November 9, Bath, kickoff 2.15am

All Blacks XV v Uruguay, Sunday November 16

All Blacks Named For Northern Tour

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his squad for the Northern Tour matches against Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. After initially naming Patrick Tuipulotu as one of his locks, Roberson was forced to replace him a day later with Sam Darry after Tuipulotu was withdrawn with a shoulder injury that requires surgery.

All Blacks Northern Tour Squad:

Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bell.

Props: Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, George Bower, Tevita Mafileo.

Locks: Scott Barrett (captain), Patrick Tuipulotu, Fabian Holland, Josh Lord.

Loose forwards: Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson.

Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Cameron Roigard, Finlay Christie 

First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie.

Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Leicester Fainga'anuku.

Outside backs: Rieko Ioane, Leroy Carter, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Ruben Love.

All Blacks 2025 Northern Tour:

Sunday 9.00am, 2 November v Ireland, Soldier Field, Chicago

Sunday 4.10am, 9 November v Scotland, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh

Sunday 4.10am 16 November v England, Twickenham, London.

Sunday 4.10am 23 November v Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Waikato Win 2025 Farah Palmer Cup

Waikato has made in two Farah Palmer Cup Championships in a row after beating Canterbury 19-13 in Hamilton on Saturday.

Waikato: 19 

Tries: Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Leomie Kloppers, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a, Conversions: Kaea Nepia 2 

Canterbury: 13

Tries: Winnie Palamo, Lucy Blyde, Penalty: Rosie Buchanan-Brown

 

All Blacks Finish Second In Rugby Championship

The All Blacks have beaten Australia in Perth, and finished second in the 2025 Rugby Championship after South Africa had a narrow 29-27 win over Argentina at Twickenham. Quinn Tupaea scored two tries and the All Blacks led 17-9 at halftime in a match played in wet conditions. 

The All Blacks will now have a few weeks off before heading to Chicago's Soldier Field to face Ireland on 2nd November, then Scotland at Murrayfield on 9th, England at Twickenham on the 16th, and Wales at Millennium Stadium on the 23rd November.

New Zealand: 28

Tries: Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea 2, George Bower, Conversions: Damian McKenzie, Penalties: McKenzie 2

Australia: 14

Try: Len Ikitau, Penalties: Tane Edmed 3