NPC 2026
The story so far
Northland won the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury 36-12, the first time it had held the trophy in 48 years, and fans welcomed the team home at Whangārei Airport.21 Aug Counties Manukau kept the Shield with a 12-7 win over Hawke's Bay in Pukekohe.3 Oct Canterbury finished top of the NPC table, and in the quarterfinals Northland beat Tasman 26-21 while Canterbury beat Waikato 62-26.4, 9, 11 Oct Taranaki and Otago also won quarterfinals, and Northland then beat Otago 38-19 to reach its first NPC final.10, 16 Oct
Latest
Canterbury, the defending champions, beat Taranaki 38-28 in the other semifinal to set up a final against Northland.18 Oct Three All Blacks, Chay Fihaki, George Bell and Jamie Hannah, return for Canterbury, and the final is in Christchurch on Labour Day, as part of the competition's 50th anniversary season.21, 24, 26 Oct
What's next
Canterbury host Northland in the NPC final at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch on Monday.18, 24 Oct
Key moments
- Northland wins the Ranfurly Shield, ending a 48-year wait.
- Counties Manukau beat Northland 22-19 to take the Shield.
- Counties Manukau defend the Shield against Hawke's Bay.
- Canterbury finish top of the table and host Waikato in a quarterfinal.
- Northland beat Tasman 26-21 to earn a home semifinal.
- Northland beat Otago 38-19 to reach its first NPC final.
- Canterbury beat Taranaki 38-28 to set up a final against Northland.
Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.
Part of this topic
Earlier (1)
Key people and organisations
- Canterbury NPC rugby union team
- Northland
- All Blacks
- Northland Taniwha
- Taranaki
- Counties Manukau
- Chay Fihaki All Blacks player
- Brodie McAlister All Blacks hooker
- Sam Nock Northland halfback
- Jamie Hannah All Blacks lock
All stories
October 2026
- Canterbury defeats Northland to claim 16th NPC title
+1 - Northland to face Canterbury in maiden NPC final
+2 - All Blacks return to Canterbury line-up for NPC final
- Canterbury defeat Taranaki to reach NPC final+1
- Northland advances to first NPC final after defeating Otago
- Canterbury advance to NPC semifinals after defeating Waikato
+1 - Taranaki and Otago advance to NPC semifinals after quarterfinal wins
- Northland beat Tasman to reach NPC semi-final
- Canterbury to host Waikato in NPC quarterfinal
- Counties Manukau retain Ranfurly Shield with win over Hawke’s Bay+1
September 2026
- Canterbury defeats Southland 34-21 in Christchurch NPC match
- Counties Manukau win Ranfurly Shield in upset against Northland+1
August 2026
Coverage
- Stuff21
- NZ Herald10
- The Post8
- Otago Daily Times7
- RNZ6
- 1News4
- The Press3
- Waikato Times1