New Zealand NPC Round 2: Northland secure early win as Hawke's Bay sit top of table

byTom Sansom

New Zealand's National Provincial Championship has commenced for the 2025 season, with this past weekend bringing about the opening round of the freshly-minted campaign. The all-new NPC season kicked off with a bang, with a stand-out win for Waikato taking the headlines from Round One.

Lima Sopoaga marked his provincial return with a late try in the final moments, before his former All Blacks teammate Aaron Cruden sent the crucial conversion sailing through the posts. This snatched the win from Auckland's grasp, for an unforgettable 36-35 triumph setting the tone for the new campaign.

Hawke's Bay sat atop the table following their landslide triumph over Counties Manukau, with the 54-14 margin of victory propelling them to the top of the table. Canterbury, Manawatu, Otago, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty also picked up victories, to start the 2025 NPC season on the front foot across New Zealand's North and South Islands.

FULL RESULTS: NEW ZEALAND BUNNINGS NPC ROUND 1

Auckland 35 - 36 Waikato / Manawatu 38 - 25 North Harbour / Wellington 15 - 33 Canterbury Southland 15 - 24 Otago / Taranaki 23 - 3 Northland / Bay of Plenty 37 - 7 Tasman Hawke's Bay 54 - 14 Counties Manukau

NEW ZEALAND BUNNINGS NPC ROUND 2

REVIEW: NPC Fixture - Friday 8th August

Northland 22 - 17 Southland - Semenoff Stadium

In a tightly contested clash, Northland edged out Southland 22–17 in a match defined by second‑half intensity and fine margins. Southland jumped off to a dream start following a midfield turnover, with Scott Gregory crashing over in the 17th minute to make it 5–0 after Dan Hollinshead missed the conversion. Moments later, Hollinshead tapped into space to add a converted try, nudging the Stags ahead 7–0 by halftime.

The second half proved telling. Northland turned the tide via a series of mauls, James Mullan powered over the line within three minutes of the restart, with Rivez Reihana slotting the conversion to level the game at 7–7. Momentum swung firmly Northland’s way, particularly when Sean Withy crossed in the 56th minute to give Southland the lead again, converted by Mika Muliaina to edge ahead 14–7.

However, Mullan wasn’t finished as he bagged a second try in the 61st and followed up with his hat trick in the 68th minute, both converted by Reihana, putting Northland up 22–14. Southland pushed back late, earning a penalty, converted by Muliaina, but it proved only gloss on a memorable Northland comeback.

NORTHLAND: 22

TRIES: 3 (Mullan 43', 61', 68')

CONVERSIONS: 2 (Reihana 43', 61')

PENALTIES: 1 (Reihana 77')

SOUTHLAND: 17

TRIES: 2 (Gregory 17', Withy 56')

CONVERSIONS 2 (Hollinshead 17', Muliaina 56')

PENALTIES: 1 (Muliaina 80')

PREVIEW: NPC Fixtures - Saturday 9th August

North Harbour vs Taranaki - North Harbour Stadium, KO 14:05 NZT / 03:05am UK

North Harbour will look to bounce back strongly against defending Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki at QBE Stadium after a tough 25–38 defeat to Manawatu in Round 1. Despite a spirited effort, North Harbour’s defence was breached five times, exposing some vulnerabilities that Taranaki’s clinical attack will look to exploit. Taranaki, meanwhile, stamped their authority with a dominant 23–3 win over Northland, showcasing their cohesion and tactical discipline to retain their sheild.

Waikato vs Wellington - FMG Stadium, KO 14:05 NZT / 03:05am UK

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Waikato produced one of the most thrilling comebacks in Round 1, snatching a last-minute 36–35 victory over Auckland at Eden Park. Flanker Oli Mathis’s late tries and the composed game management of veterans Lima Sopoaga and Aaron Cruden were decisive. This attacking flair and bench impact will be critical against Wellington, who suffered a heavy 15 - 33 defeat to Canterbury but showed flashes of resilience.

Tasman vs Manawatu - Trafalgar Park, KO 16:35 NZT / 05:35am UK

Tasman face a stern test at Lansdowne Park, as they host Manawatu, who kicked off their campaign with an impressive 38–25 victory over North Harbour. Manawatu’s performance was marked by strong leadership from Brayden Iose upon his 50th cap, and some clinical touches from Ngani Laumape, who linked up well to break down defensive lines. Their kicking game, controlled by Brett Cameron, kept them in charge throughout.

Tasman, however, will look to rebound after a heavy 7–37 defeat to Bay of Plenty, where defensive lapses and an inability to contain the opposition’s expansive attack were costly. Tasman’s backline must sharpen up, while their forwards need to assert dominance in set pieces to regain control.

Canterbury vs Auckland - Apollo Projects Stadium, KO 19:10 NZT / 08:10am UK

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Canterbury enter this clash with Auckland as firm favourites after a commanding 33–15 victory over Wellington in Round 1, with their efensive resilience and attacking potency on full display. Former Scarlets man Johnny McNicholl was a standout, crossing twice and orchestrating crucial breaks upon his return to New Zealand.

Auckland, by contrast, narrowly lost a heart-breaker 35–36 to Waikato, despite a strong start that saw tries from Anton Segner and Xavier Tito-Harris. Their youthful flair offers attacking threats, but defensive lapses in the final quarter were costly. Canterbury’s disciplined defence and clinical execution will aim to expose these weaknesses at the Apollo Projects Stadium.

PREVIEW: NPC Fixtures - Sunday 10th August

Counties Manukau vs Bay of Plenty - Navigation Homes Stadium, KO 14:05 NZT / 03:05am UK

Counties Manukau will look to recover from a crushing 14–54 loss to Hawke’s Bay when they host Bay of Plenty at Navigation Homes Stadium. The Steelers struggled to contain Hawke’s Bay’s relentless attacking wave, as Manukau leaked seven tries to the relentless Hawkes, for the most one-sided score-line of the opening weekend.

Bay of Plenty demonstrated their own attacking prowess in Round 1 with a 37–7 demolition of Tasman, led by Kaleb Trask’s goalkicking and recent All Blacks squad call-up Leroy Carter’s dynamic running. Counties must tighten their defence and improve ball retention if they hope to resist the Steamers’ aggressive, especially if the former New Zealand Sevens man Carter breaks into full flight.

Otago vs Hawke's Bay - Forsyth Barr Stadium, KO 16:45 NZT / 05:45am UK

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Otago host Hawke’s Bay at Forsyth Barr Stadium in a tantalizing southern showdown. Otago started their campaign well, defeating Southland 24–15 in a gritty encounter, boosted by Cam Millar’s accurate kicking and tries from fullback Sam Gilbert and lock Will Stodart. Hawke’s Bay, meanwhile, showcased devastating attacking firepower in their 54–14 rout of Counties Manukau, with the Magpies boasting five different try scorers (Nick Grigg, Jonah Lowe, Kienan Higgins, Lukas Ripley and Kooper Flanders) and flawless goal-kicking from Harry Godfrey.