The teams are in: Lineups confirmed for unpredictable NPC semi-finals

The stage is set for both NPC semi-finals with Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Wellington and Waikato naming their teams for Saturday’s clashes. Kurt Eklund, Billy Harmon, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Xavier Roe will captain their respective sides as they look to move closer to title glory.

Bay of Plenty qualified for the final four in dramatic fashion with a last-minute winner against Hawke’s Bay on Saturday afternoon. Replacement Taine Kolose sent the crowd into a frenzy after reaping the rewards from the Steamers’ unstoppable rolling maul.

That Battle of the Bays was an all-time classic, and even captain Eklund admitted post-game that, “I wasn’t ready for that.” But, it certainly won’t get any easier for them as they prepare to take on giant-slayers Canterbury at the Tauranga Domain.

The Cantabrians finished sixth at the end of the regular season with a 6-4 record, but they saved their best performance of the year to date for the quarters. They took on third-seed Tasman in Blenheim and ended up recording an incredible 64-14 upset.

Mitchell Drummond and Rameka Poihipi will look to steer Canterbury’s ship as the halves pairing once again. Dallas McLeod and Isaac Hutchinson will also line up in a star-studded backline that is more than capable of leading the visitors to another shock win.

Off the bench, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Dominic Gardiner and Tom Christie will look to provide some muscle and experience. Former England international Willi Heinz and ex-All Black Ryan Crotty have also been named to come off the pine.

As for the Bay, keep an eye out for Naitoa Ah Kuoi in the second row who was quite impressive last time out. All Black Emoni Narawa is another key member of the Steamers’ side at outside centre, and former All Blacks Sevens ace Leroy Carter has scored in three straight matches.

Bay of Plenty vs. Canterbury. KO 4:10 pm NZT on Saturday at Tauranga Domain

BAY OF PLENTY (1-15) Aidan Ross, Kurt Eklund (c), Benet Kumeroa, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Aisake Vakasiuola, Jacob Norris, Joe Johnston, Nikora Broughton, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Kaleb Trask, Reon Paul, Willis Halahoho, Emoni Narawa, Leroy Carter, Cole Forbes

Replacements (16-23) Taine Kolose, Josh Bartlett, Filipe Vakasiuola, Kalin Felise, Semisi Paea, Lucas Cashmore, Fehi Fineanganofo, Cody Vai

CANTERBURY (1-15) Finlay Brewis, Brodie McAlister, Joe Moody, Tahlor Cahill, Zach Gallagher, Billy Harmon (c), Corey Kellow, Cullen Grace, Mitchell Drummond, Rameka Poihipi, Ngatungane Punivai, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Isaac Hutchinson

Replacements (16-23) Ben Funnell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Seb Calder, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Willi Heinz, Jone Rova, Ryan Crotty

With second-seed and Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki and third-place Tasman both out of the title hunt, Wellington are the only top-three side left standing. The Lions got the job done last time out with a clinical performance against Counties Manukau in the capital.

All Blacks TJ Perenara, Asafo Aumua, Billy Proctor and Ruben Love were all available for that quarter-final blockbuster, but that quartet are now on their way to Japan. Backrower Peter Lakai has also been called into the All Blacks for the Test against Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms.

The Lions, who will be captained by openside flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi once again, have made a chance at first five-eighth with Callum Harkin replacing Jackson Garden-Bachop. Matt Proctor also replaces brother Billy in the starting side at outside centre.

On the bench, Samoa sevens representative Tom Maiava has been named to wear the No. 22 jumper, while 2024 New Zealand Under-20s flyer Stanley Solomon will also look to make a difference off the pine.

They’re firm favourites for this clash, but don’t write off Waikato just yet.

“We played Bay of Plenty and only just won in golden point,” Wellington Lions midfielder Riley Higgins said on SENZ’s Scotty & Izzy. “Every team, if it’s their day, they can get up.

“I wouldn’t say we’re too comfortable.

“I think it’s just the talent across the whole competition. If some teams are on then they can win against anyone. It’s pretty crazy.”

Waikato are coming off a hard-fought 15-14 win over Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium. Tepaea Cook-Savage converted a drop goal early in the second half, and that proved to be the difference in the end as the hosts failed to register another point in the last 20 minutes.

Cook-Savage, who is a member of the All Blacks Sevens, will line up at fullback once again. Halfback and captain Xavier Roe joins Aaron Cruden in a strong halves pairing, and they’ll look to provide quality ball to the lines of Quinn Tupaea and Bailyn Sullivan outside them.

Wellington vs. Waikato. KO 7:10 pm NZT on Saturday at Sky Stadium.

WELLINGTON (1-15) Xavier Numia, Leni Apisai, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Akira Ieremia, Caleb Delany, Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), Brad Shields, Kyle Preston, Callum Harkin, Losi Filipo, Riley Higgins, Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Tjay Clarke

Replacements (16-23) Penieli Poasa, Yota Kamimori, Brad Chrichton, Filo Paulo, Sione Halalilo, Nui Muriwai, Tom Maiava, Stanley Solomon

WAIKATO (1-15) Ollie Norris, Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, George Dyer, Josh Balme, Laghlan McWhannell, Xavier Saifoloi, Senita Lauaki, Malachi Wrampling, Xavier Roe (c), Aaron Cruden, Aki Tuivailala, Quinn Tupaea, Bailyn Sullivan, Oli Mathis, Tepaea Cook-Savage

Replacements (16-23) Sean Ralph, Mason Tupaea, Sefo Kautai, Tai Cribb, Patrick McCurran, Quintony Ngatai, Newton Tudreu, Waisake Salaviau