The Bunnings NPC, rugby-mad New Zealand’s long-running annual competition, gets underway this weekend with an exciting slate of games and a new format. New Zealand’s provincial rugby union tournament has arrived once again.
Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and Stan.
The Bunnings NPC, the rugby-mad country’s long-running annual competition to determine the nation’s top provincial side, gets back in action this weekend with a seven-deep slate of games that also will mark the official implementation of a newly designed format for the first time since 2010 (more on that below).
Bunnings NPC
- Manawatu vs Auckland
- 8:05am Wednesday 10th August
Introducing try celebrations of 2022.
AJ Lam is contestant #1.@AucklandRugby | @skysportnz | #BunningsNPC pic.twitter.com/wv44BzGfow
— Bunnings NPC (@BunningsNPC) August 8, 2022
After the convincing start of Canterbury against Manawatu, this Saturday there was activity in the Bunnings NPC with Counties Manukau triumph over Otago, Auckland at Eden Park did the same against North Horbour while one of the champions of the 2021 season, Waikato drew with the difficult Hawkes Bay. The results, positions and compacts below .
New Zealand’s domestic rugby continued on Saturday with important matches highlighting Counties Manukau’s home win over Otago (23-22), waikato and Hawkes Bay’s 32-point draw while Auckland got off to a solid start against North Harbour (36-26).
This Saturday night and early Sunday morning, Taranaki will host Northland and Wellington will have its home debut when it hosts Bay Of Plenty.
August 10
Manawatu vs Auckland
August 12
Hawkes Bay vs Counties Manukau
August 13
Otago vs Tasman
Northland vs Waikato
August 14
Bay Of Plenty vs Taranaki
Southland vs Auckland
North Harbour vs Manawatu
August 17
Otago vs Hawkes Bay
With the contest being held inside one of New Zealand’s most historic rugby grounds (Eden Park), as well, the setting is merely just a fitting bonus touch to what should be an electric atmosphere for a historic local rivalry.