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Round nine NPC: Returning All Black makes statement, Highlanders' pair shine
By Adam Julian
Round nine of the Bunnings NPC saw Taranaki take the Ranfurly Shield off Tasman, two All Blacks return for Counties, and Southland putting up a record performance over North Harbour.
Here are the standout performers from the final round of the regular season ahead of the quarter-finals.
Cam Roigard (Counties Manukau)
The All Blacks halfback made his long-awaited return after rupturing his left patella tendon in April and scored two tries off the bench in Counties 45-26 win against Manawatu which secured the Steelers the eighth and final playoff spot.
Roigard was full of running scoring his second try from halfway. Fullback Simon-Peter Toleafoa attacked from deep inside his own 22 before linking up with winger Josh Gray. Toleafoa sniped from the ensuing ruck and offloaded to Roigard who sped over the halfway line and sensationally beat the cover defence with a delightful side-step. Roigard delivered 37 passes. Also back from injury, All Blacks flanker Dalton Papali’i dashed 60 metres for a try.
Daniel Rona (Taranaki)
Like Dean Magon (3 tries against Auckland in 1996) Daniel Rona is a Taranaki centre who has made a name for himself in a successful Ranfurly Shield challenge.
Rona contributed two tries and a dozen tackles in a 42-29 victory over Tasman in Nelson. Rona is a model of consistency with 33 games for Taranaki and 23 for the Chiefs.
Taranaki has had eight successful Ranfurly Sheild challenges and won 51 of their 104 Ranfurly Sheild matches.
Jack Taylor (Southland)
Southland ended their season with a spectacular 59-35 victory over North Harbour. Former New Zealand Under-20 hooker Jack Taylor scored a first-half hat-trick and was a commanding presence, as he has been all season.
The prerenal strugglers set records for their highest score and most tries (9) in an NPC Division I match. Byron Smith kicked seven conversions, and across the whole season, Southland scored 37 tries. The Stags won three matches, including a first victory against fierce rivals Otago since 2020. Southland won three of their ten games and lost another two by less than ten points.
Jack’s brother Harry plays for Otago. With 152 tackles Harry rates as the second-highest tackler in the NPC.
Nikora Broughton (Bay of Plenty)
Bay of Plenty edged Auckland 26-24 at Auckland Grammar School with a massive defensive shift. Broughton led the charge with an incredible 30 tackles and a try. Broughton is 3rd in tackles and 2nd in carries in the NPC this season.
Broughton was ably supported by Jacob Norris who made 19 tackles and scored a key charge-down try. Openside Joe Johnson made 20 tackles.
Broughton had a strong Super Rugby for the Highlanders, has played for the Maori All Blacks and might be looked at for the All Blacks XV tour.
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“Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.”
Good lad, just checking. So you’re not a bot! Chelsea bombed the 2008 final more than United won it. John Terry… couldn’t happen to a nicer fella.
“The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”
Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made.”
So the difference between 2021 and 2023 would of course be TWO YEARS. 24 months would account for 3 different seasons. They contested ECL finals twice in two years. The first in 2021 - which they lost - was still the first elite European final in the clubs then 141 year history. Explain clearly how that’s not an achievement? Guess what age he was then…
“I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright.”
I thought you don’t care what certain managers did 10 years ago…
Why would I address Eddie Jones? Why would he be deserving of a single sentence?
“I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.”
So you haven’t watched even a minute of Super Rugby this year?
“lol u really need to chill out”
Simply frightful! If you’re not a bot you’re at least Gen-Z?
Go to commentsBloody hell. What’s Rassie got to do with Xavier Roe coming on? Ridiculous.
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