Northland to face Canterbury in maiden NPC final
Saturday 24 October 2026 · 6 outlets · 7 reports · updated In this story Canterbury, Northland, Northland Taniwha
Northland will play Canterbury in the NPC final at Christchurch's One New Zealand Stadium on Monday. The Taniwha are seeking their first-division title for the first time, while defending champions Canterbury will be boosted by the return of five All Blacks.
Key facts
5 facts
- The NPC final will be held on Labour Day at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.
- Northland has never reached an NPC final before.
- Canterbury has won 15 NPC titles.
- Northland defeated Canterbury 36-12 in August to win the Ranfurly Shield.
- Canterbury has won seven games in a row leading into the final.
The full story
1 min read · 6 outlets
Northland will play Canterbury in the NPC final on Labour Day at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch. This marks the first time Northland has reached a first-division NPC final.
The Taniwha enter the match following a season where they ended a 48-year Ranfurly Shield drought by defeating Canterbury 36-12 in August. Although they lost the Shield to Counties Manukau in their final defence, Northland finished the season having improved from a ninth-place finish last year.
Canterbury enters the final as the defending champion with 15 titles. The team has won seven consecutive matches and will be bolstered by the return of All Blacks Sam Darry and Jamie Hannah.
Canterbury captain Brodie McAlister noted the team has reverted to their 'DNA' after being bossed by Northland during the Shield defeat. Northland captain Rivez Reihana described the season as a 'helluva journey' and a significant turnaround for the province.
How it developed
- Sun 25 Oct, 4:00amCaptain Rivez Reihana stated the team's turnaround was driven by consistency and the influence of Australian players.
Compiled from reports by Stuff, The Press, The Post, RNZ, Otago Daily Times and 1News.
How they headlined it
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Stuff
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The Post
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The Press
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RNZ
Winning NPC final would rank as our greatest achievement, Northland say (opens in new tab)
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Otago Daily Times
The Last Word: Not hard to choose a team in NPC final (opens in new tab)Premium
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1News
Scotty Stevenson: NPC outsiders forge a brotherhood in the north (opens in new tab)
