NPC talking points: Winds of change again blowing around competition

Stuff

17 August 2023

NPC talking points: Winds of change again blowing around competition

Work is already going on in the background in regard to what the competition might look like in the future, but it would be naive to expect smooth and quick change.

At least not unless NZR can come up with an attractive alternative to woo the provincial unions (PUs), the all-important stakeholders.

You only have to look at how long the Silver Lake deal dragged on for to know these type of things can take an age.

It’s understood there is a significant difference in opinion between PUs in regard to how they view the competition, with some eager to elevate its status and others content with its current shape and form.

NZR wants community rugby prioritised over winning NPC titles.

"We've just got to find a sweet balance somewhere, because we are unveiling some pretty unreal talent at NPC, and I don't ever want to lose what it is and the link to communities and the general public around loyalty,” Canterbury coach Marty Bourke said.

“I think there is a sweet spot somewhere. I don't know what it is, I don't get paid enough to come up with those ideas, but it is there somewhere."

The NPC has already undergone change recently, ditching the decade-long premiership and championship model and splitting teams into odds and evens pools last year, meaning all 14 teams went into the season in contention to be crowned champions.

This year, the pools – along with their unimaginative names – were quietly scrapped, leaving one clear competition ladder.

What’s clear is more change appears to be a given. It has to be after Robinson essentially condemned the current model by saying it wasn’t sustainable.

And regardless how much some of the PUs might not like it or could make change difficult, the reality is they need NZR’s dosh.

The governing body typically dishes out about $30 million annually to the PUs, with amounts varying from union to union depending on various factors, including registered playing numbers.

In addition, the Silver Lake deal was set to benefit the PUs with a $20 million cash injection.

“We've said that regardless of the Silver Lake injection of capital into the game, the model we've got at the moment is not fit for purpose,” Robinson said on Sky Sport.

A Ranfurly Shield double

When one Ranfurly Shield challenge isn’t enough, how about two in one round?

That’s a very real possibility this week, with Wellington slated for two defences in the space of five days, starting against Southland at Hutt Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Should the reigning NPC champions rebuff the Stags’ challenge, they’ll again put the Log o’ Wood on the line, against Tasman at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on Wednesday night.

Having snatched the Shield from Hawke’s Bay last September to kickoff their 11th tenure, Wellington has three successful defences, including comfortable wins against Heartland sides Horowhenua Kapiti and South Canterbury.

However, the going is about to get tougher, particularly with the hungry Mako lurking, a team which has only challenged three times for the Shield and never won it.

Buckle up. After all, while a cloud hangs over the future of the NPC, the action through two rounds has mostly been quality, highlighted by Hawke’s Bay scoring three tries in 13 minutes to pull off a fantastic come-from-behind 35-32 win over Waikato on Wednesday night.