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The National Provincial Championship, often simply called the NPC, is an annual round-robin rugby union competition in men's domestic New Zealand rugby. First played during the 2006 season, it is the second highest level of competition in New Zealand alongside the Ranfurly Shield. It is organised by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and since 2021, it has been known as the Bunnings NPC after its headline sponsor. A concurrent women's tournament is also held, the Farah Palmer Cup.
The Tasman Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, a bay at the north end of the South Island in New Zealand. Headquartered in Nelson, TRU is New Zealand's newest provincial union, founded in 2006 with the amalgamation of the existing Marlborough and Nelson Bays sub unions.
David Holwell is a former rugby union player. A first five-eighth, Holwell played for Wellington and Northland in the Air New Zealand Cup, ITM Cup and NPC, and for the Hurricanes and Blues in Super Rugby. He also had stints with Leinster in 2005 and 2008.
Aaron Bancroft is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He generally played as a centre but could also cover the wing position.
Rene Mark Nelson Ranger is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Northland in the Bunnings NPC. Ranger plays the positions of wing and centre.
Fetu'u Moana Vainikolo is a Tongan rugby union player who for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby (MLR). His regular playing position is Wing.
Lachlan Hamish Munro is a former New Zealand professional rugby union player. Munro is a versatile player and he is capable of covering every position in the backline.w
Kurt Baker is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a fullback or wing for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby (MLR).
Tevita Mailau is a rugby union player who plays for Stade Montois in the Top 14 and Tonga internationally. He previously played for the Auckland Blues in Super Rugby and Auckland in the ITM Cup.
Jason Shoemark is a professional rugby union player who last played as a centre for the Hawke's Bay in the ITM Cup.
Marty Veale is a former rugby union player and is assistant coach with Northland in the Bunnings NPC. He played at lock for Northland in the ITM Cup competition. He formerly coached rugby as Head Coach of Rugby New York (RNY), a member of Major League Rugby (MLR)Old Blue R.F.C. in New York and the United States Military Academy at West Point men's team starting in 2015.
Bronson Murray is a New Zealand rugby union player. A prop, Murray last played provincial rugby for Bay of Plenty and notably Northland in the National Provincial Championship.
Lolagi Visinia is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a wing or fullback for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but has represented both New Zealand and Manu Samoa internationally.
Sean Polwart is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played as a flanker for Auckland in the ITM Cup.
Jonathan "Jon" Elrick is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays in the fly-half position for the provincial based ITM Cup side North Harbour.
Dan Pryor is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a loose forward for the Miami Sharks in Major League Rugby (MLR). He previously played for San Diego Legion, for Northland in the ITM Cup, for the Highlanders, Blues and Sunwolves in Super Rugby, and for the Munakata Sanix Blues in the Japanese Top League.
Bryce Heem is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a wing or centre for the Blues in Super Rugby.
Namatahi Waa is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a prop for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship competition and Austin Gilgronis in the Major League Rugby (MLR).
The Farah Palmer Cup, is the highest level domestic women's rugby union competition in New Zealand and is named after the former Black Ferns captain, Farah Palmer. This contest is held annually from early July to mid September and managed by the New Zealand Rugby Union, or NZRU. The competition was first introduced in 1999, with a total of fourteen teams competing initially. The number of teams increased to eighteen in the year 2000, but has decreased to as few as six teams, with 13 currently featured. Canterbury are the current holders of the JJ Stewart Trophy, the women's equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield. The Farah Palmer Cup is an amateur competition; players are not paid salaries and hold jobs outside of rugby.
Dominic Robertson-McCoy is a professional rugby union player from New Zealand. He primarily plays as a prop and can play at both loosehead and tighthead. Robertson-McCoy currently plays for Irish provincial side Connacht in the United Rugby Championship. He previously played at provincial level in New Zealand for Northland. Robertson-McCoy is qualified to play for Ireland at international level through his grandfather from Mowhan in County Armagh.
