Bunnings NPC Quarterfinals: Playoffs Get Going As Waikato Aims For Repeat

Bunnings NPC playoffs begin this weekend. Waikato is aiming for a repeat of last year's success. The playoffs are the most important part of the competition. There are eight teams left in the Bunnins NPC.

The quarterfinal round of the Bunnings NPC is taking place this week. The competition will continue to be streamed live on FloRugby.

North Harbour and Auckland are playing each other in the 2022 Bunnings NPC playoffs. Auckland won the first game 36-26. North Harbour finished second in Evens Conference and is the No. 2 seed. The team has scored 390 points this season. Tevita Li is try leader and Bryn Gatland is league's best player. The match will be played at the QBE Stadium in Albany.

Wellington and Hawke's Bay had similar numbers of points scored and allowed across the regular season. Wellington won the Ranfurly Shield and is the division's top seed. Hawkes's bay secured its spot in the playoffs with a win over Tasman in Round 9 and Otago's defeat to Canterbury.  Asafo Aumua scored four tries for the Lions in their final match.

Canterbury and Northland are playing in the Bunnings NPC playoffs. Canterbury finished the regular season as the points leader with 53 tries. Northlands won the last game against Canterbury 46-17 in Christchurch. Fergus Burke became the third player this year to score 100 points in NPC. Northlanders have the second-lowest try-scoring tally in Binnings NPCs this season.

Waikato is the defending Bunnings NPC champion. They are the second seed in the Odds Conference. Waikatos will play Bay of Plenty in quarterfinals. The winner will take on the winner between Canterbury and Northland. Bay's two defeats came by a combined three points. Steamers will be aiming to beat Waikkato on their own turf. They want to advance to the semis. Emoni Narawa (eight tries) and Kaleb Trask (88 points) are key for Steamer's attack.