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The ‘rogue’ reason that’s contributed to the NPC’s success in 2024
By Finn Morton
Commentator Grant Nisbett has credited “rogue” results as one reason behind the National Provincial Championship’s success in 2024. Fans and pundits alike have sung the NPC’s praises during a memorable season of provincial rugby in New Zealand.
On Saturday afternoon, Bay of Plenty will host Canterbury in the first of two semi-finals to determine who qualifies for the big dance on October 26. Then, Wellington will take on Waikato in the nation’s capital to determine the other side that will battle for glory.
Bay of Plenty are two wins away from history. The Steamers haven’t won the NPC since the inaugural campaign 48 years ago, but on the back of a famous Battle of the Bays in the quarter-finals, they’ll be full of belief heading into another crunch clash.
But, all four teams are chasing their own slice of history, and they’ll have to do it the hard way. If this season has shown fans anything, it’s that the competition is somewhat unpredictable – there are no easy games, so any result this weekend is truly possible.
Second seed and Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki were knocked out of the finals last time out in a shock loss to Waikato, and third seed Tasman lost on Sunday in a 62-14 demolition by Canterbury. Anything can happen, and that’s made the NPC so great this season.
“I’ve really enjoyed it actually,” Nisbett said on SENZ’s Afternoons with Staffy.
“I’ve been to some terrific games. Just about every weekend there’s been a total rogue result and I think we saw one yesterday. Whoever who’ve thought that Canterbury would put 60 on Tasman?
“You never quite know these days when you go along to an NPC game who’s going to win it and that’s good, I’ve enjoyed that. Even the teams that didn’t show up in terms of wins towards the end of the season, played some very, very good rugby.
“I don’t think there were any dud teams in the competition this year.
“There’s nothing worse than going along to a game and you sort of already know who’s going to win, it’s really just a question by how much,” he added.
“I also think the standard of rugby has been good… sometimes you might think that the defence is a little bit optional given some of the sores but I’d prefer that to a 6-3 game, that’s for sure.”
Canterbury have a “new lease on life” after their stunningly emphatic win over the Mako at Blenheim's Lansdowne Park. While they were boosted by the return of some All Blacks, who are now unavailable for the semi-finals, it was by no means a fluke.
It was the type of performance that mirrored Canterbury’s traditional dominance in the competition. They’ve tasted championship glory on 14 occasions, and no one should write them off as they go hunting for what would be the province's 15th men's title.
But, Bay of Plenty showed last weekend that they’ll give it everything in order to deliver a title back to Tauranga. Replacement Taine Kolose was the hero last time out as they edged Hawke’s Bay 19-17, and that’s given them plenty to build off moving forward.
Minor premiers Wellington have been a tad inconsistent this season, but they’ll still go into Saturday’s clash with Waikato at Sky Stadium as the favourites. They’ve lost some All Blacks too, though, including Peter Lakai who was called into the national squad on Wednesday.
“I don’t think there’s a lot between these four teams, to be perfectly honest,” Nisbett explained.
“Firstly, of course, you’ve got Canterbury who’ve got a new lease on life. They lose a couple of their All Blacks, of course, but they’ll be full of confidence heading up to Bay of Plenty.
“I’ve really enjoyed the way Bay of Plenty have played this season. They don’t always have the star players but boy, they play with a lot of passion… that game could go either way.
“The game after that, of course, Waikato, who really came from nowhere, not many people have been talking about Waikato all season and suddenly they find themselves in the semi-finals with a big chance of upsetting Wellington who have been a little bit inconsistent.
“… (Wellington are) kind of all over the shop. They don’t have too much consistency… I think both away teams have got a shot at it.”
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Latest Comments
Suaalii has without doubt the potential, skill and class to become a top player. No need to have him play 80 minutes every game early in his union career. The year end tests have always been used as a testing ground for potential and fringe players. If he avoids injury he'll be a great. Besides, Kerevi is no slouch, certainly up there in the top 3 No 12's and can also move to 13 if needed.
Go to commentsI mean overall talent, not that they will all play 20 years. That is impossible with rugby. The younger players like Elrigh is of course not world class yet. With more experience they will become world class. They are already exceptional players. Not even Eben and the current boys was world class when they started. They were exceptional yes, but not world class. Only experience brings that.
Generational players is very few and far inbetween who is world class from the off. The younger players can only become world class with the proper training and experience isn't something that can be bought. It's something they have to earn through their careers.
As for SRP being a good competition, I disagree. It's slanted in NZ favour and always has been. It's not what it used to be. The URC is now rated as the top club competition in the world next to the top 14 outside of the CC, and I didn't make up that rankings. You feel SRP is better because of our bias towards the NH, but it simply is not.
Yes, I don't know all the young Bucs of NZ coming through, but most of those you named I've seen and they are very good players but not exceptional nor world class. Just as with SA youngsters, that is something that will come with experience and they will become world class and is definitely the future for them.
NZ and Australia don't have the player pool depth that SA have. NZ's are bigger than most, but then most of their stars came from the Island nations like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. If you count them, then maybe yes, they have as big a pool.
NZ will always be a top 3 team, as will SA. At least for the next 2 decades. That doesn't mean that other countries don't have some world class youngsters coming through either.
I don't claim that SA will win everything for the next 20 years. Nor that they will win the next 5 WC's. A lot depends on players, coaches, law changes and how the game keeps changing. There is too much variables. SA do have a bright future for the next 20 years , players who will hold the flag high. Same with NZ.
Nothing and no one can stop the Rivalry. I know the Irish is trying to replace the Boks with themselves as the main rivals. Everyone tunes in to watch the Boks vs AB's, all over the world. Every year. That is the most anticipated Tests by everyone every year.
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