3 Oct 2024

16 All Blacks return for final round of NPC

8:27 am on 3 October 2024
Cam Roigard of New Zealand warms up.

Cam Roigard is also set to return to rugby after rupturing the patella tendon in his knee during the Super Rugby competition in March. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

A large contingent of All Blacks are set to get some game time in NPC rugby this weekend

Sixteen members of the All Blacks squad will represent their provincial unions in the final round-robin stage of the competition.

Halfback Cam Roigard is also set to return to rugby after rupturing the patella tendon in his knee during the Super Rugby competition in March.

He is down to play for Counties Manukau along with Dalton Papali'i when they take on Manawatū on Saturday.

Tasman will be boosted by the return of Ethan Blackadder, Noah Hoffman and David Havili for their Ranfurly Shield defence against Taranaki in Nelson on Sunday.

Stephen Perofeta is eyeing a return from his calf injury to assist Taranaki.

Five teams are still battling for the last two spots in the NPC quarter-finals.

The All Blacks squad for the end of year tour will be named on Monday.

All Blacks available for NPC action.

Friday 4 October

Northland v Otago - Whangarei, 7.05pm

Otago: George Bower

Saturday 5 October

Manawatū v Counties Manukau - Massey University, 2.05pm

Counties Manukau: Dalton Papali'i, Cam Roigard

Southland v North Harbour - Invercargill Rugby Park, 4.35pm

Southland: Ethan de Groot

North Harbour: Mark Tele'a

Wellington v Hawkes Bay - Sky Stadium, Wellington, 4.35pm

Wellington: Billy Proctor

Canterbury v Waikato - Christchurch, 7.05pm

Canterbury: George Bell and Sam Darry

Waikato: Samipeni Finau

Sunday 6 October

Tasman v Taranaki - Trafalgar Park, Nelson, 2.05pm

Tasman: Ethan Blackadder, Noah Hotham and David Havili

Taranaki: Stephen Perofeta

Auckland v Bay of Plenty- Auckland Grammar School, 4.35pm

Auckland: Harry Plummer and Patrick Tuipulotu

Bay of Plenty: Pasilio Tosi