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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 in 1976, 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.
Bay of Plenty are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1911, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Rotorua International Stadium in Rotorua or Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, both in the Bay of Plenty Region. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are blue and yellow.
Auckland are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Auckland, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1883, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Eden Park in Auckland. The team is affiliated with the Blues Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are blue and white hoops.
Isileli J. Tuʻungafasi is a Tongan born New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays for Northland in the Bunnings NPC. He previously played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. His playing position is prop. He is the brother of Ofa Tuʻungafasi, another rugby union player.
Canterbury are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Canterbury, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1879, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch in the Canterbury region. The team is affiliated with the Crusaders Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are black and red.
Tasman are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, New Zealand. Established in 2006, they play in the National Provincial Championship. They play their home games at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim or Trafalgar Park in Nelson. The team is affiliated with the Crusaders Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are red and blue.
Wellington are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Wellington, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1879, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Sky Stadium in Wellington. The team is affiliated with the Hurricanes Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are black and gold.
Counties Manukau are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Pukekohe, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1955, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe in the Auckland region. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are black, white and red.
Otago are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1881, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin in the Otago region. The team is affiliated with the Highlanders Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are navy blue and gold.
Taranaki are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in New Plymouth, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1889, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at TET Stadium & Events Centre in Inglewood and Yarrow Stadium in the Taranaki region. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are amber and black.
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is perhaps the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies. The holding union defends the Shield in challenge matches - which are their home games - and if a challenger defeats them, they become the new holder of the Shield.
Samuel Israel Matenga is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for the Tasman Mako in the Bunnings NPC competition and the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby. His position is prop.
Louie J. Chapman is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for the Tasman Mako in the Bunnings NPC competition. His position is Halfback.
The 2021 Bunnings NPC season was the 16th season of New Zealand's provincial rugby union competition since it turned professional in 2006. The regular season began on August 6, when Manawatu hosted Counties Manukau. It involved the top 14 rugby unions in New Zealand. For sponsorship reasons, the competition was known as the Bunnings NPC and it was the first season under the lead sponsor and to carry the NPC moniker since 2005. The winner of the Championship, Taranaki wasn't promoted to the Premiership due to a format restructure earlier in the season. Despite finishing seventh in the Premiership, Auckland was not relegated to the Championship, having only played two matches due to a resurgence of COVID-19 in the Auckland Region.
Max Hicks is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and the Highlanders in Super Rugby. His position is lock.
McKay 'Macca' Springer is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and the Crusaders in Super Rugby. His position is fullback or wing.
Noah Hotham is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and the Crusaders in Super Rugby. His position is halfback.
The 2022 Bunnings NPC season was the 17th season of New Zealand's provincial rugby union competition, the National Provincial Championship, since it turned professional in 2006. It involved the top 14 provincial rugby unions of New Zealand, which – under a new format introduced in 2022 – all played for the same title for the first time since the 2010 season. For sponsorship reasons, the competition was known as the Bunnings NPC. The regular season began on 5 August 2022, when Manawatu hosted Canterbury. The final took place on 22 October 2022.
Felix Kalapu is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for the Force in Super Rugby. His playing position is lock or flanker. He was named in the Force squad for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season. He was also named in the North Harbour squad for the 2022 Bunnings NPC.
Monu H. A. Moli is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC. His position is Hooker or Prop. He is the brother of former All Black Atu Moli and Tongan international Sam Moli.
References
- ↑ "Bunnings NPC Round 7: Team Lists". Bunnings NPC. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.