How good was it to have the NPC back this past weekend, giving us some of the standard fast-flowing rugby that only this level provides in the professional game. Here at betcha, we wanted to provide some kind of review on a weekly basis to cover the sensational product the players put on display for us. So what we’re going to do is provide our top 5 players of the weekend and give these players the praise they deserve.
Just before we get stuck in, we have a little bit more admin to complete. Throughout the series I will allocate a value of points from 1 to 5, with 5 being for the best player of the round. We will keep a tally of these points throughout the season, which will help with crowning our NPC Player of the Year.
Now that all of that is out of the way, let’s get stuck into Round One of the 2025 season.
5. Johnny McNicholl | Canterbury (1 Point)
After returning to New Zealand rugby circles in the last 12 months, Johnny McNicholl has been a solid contributor whenever called upon for Canterbury and the Crusaders.
This past weekend was no different as Canterbury travelled north to take on the defending champion Wellington Lions in what was one of the better games of the weekend slate. For Wellington, it was a disastrous start. The Lions never got out of first gear due to some average execution, while Canterbury came out flying. A big part of that came from the opportunistic heroics of their fullback.
McNicholl managed to score two tries, one of them a 95-meter runaway that acted as the dagger in the game. He was also solid in his work around the park, constantly causing issues for the Lions.
For Canterbury, his leadership and experience at the back should play a pivotal role this season if they are to make a serious push in the 2025 campaign.
4. Cooper Flanders | Hawke’s Bay (2 Points)
The closing game of the weekend saw the Magpies steamroll Counties in what was a one-way affair all afternoon. The Magpies dominated all over the park, especially upfront, with their forward pack providing some sensational go-forward all game long.
One key piece in the 40-point abomination of the Steelers was their openside flanker, 21-year-old Cooper Flanders, who yes, is the younger brother of Hurricanes loose forward Devon. The youngest Flanders brother put in some serious defensive work, making 18 tackles while also carrying the ball 13 times and generating 55 meters after contact. That really shows how often he dominates the contact zone.
He also scored a solo try just outside the attacking 22, where he showed off some of his former back skills by throwing a dummy and going under the sticks untouched.
The younger Flanders looks like another exciting prospect New Zealand can add to their loose forward rankings, and Magpies fans will hope his opening weekend form continues throughout the season.
3. Xavier Tito-Harris | Auckland (3 Points)
There was plenty of hype surrounding the Auckland back three coming into their opening day bout with Waikato. The group featured several 7s youngsters who bring an exciting blend of skill and fearlessness to their play.
The standout this weekend, and maybe the most explosive player of the round, was Xavier Tito-Harris. He didn’t see a constant flow of the game to his side of the field, but when the ball found his hands, he made the absolute most of it.
Tito-Harris scored two tries, one of them coming from an intercept, and also set up another in what was his first game of the season. The hype around him has been massive leading into the year, and based on what we’ve seen early in the 2025 NPC season, it looks more than deserved.
2. Veveni Lasaqa | Bay of Plenty (4 Points)
One of the most impressive performances for me this weekend came from the Bay of Plenty openside flanker, who was crucial in the Steamers walking over pre-season tournament favourites Tasman on Sunday.
Veveni Lasaqa was named Highlanders Rookie of the Year last season in what has been somewhat of a dramatic rise to prominence over the past 12 months. The loosie was at his ferocious best this weekend, making 14 tackles and winning a crucial turnover to stifle a promising Tasman attack.
In the attacking phase, he showed off his endurance and athletic traits by making 10 carries and beating five defenders while doing so. The dynamism he showed when he stuck through a grubber and chased, almost scoring from 40-odd metres out, proved he’s all class.
This year, the Steamers look like they could be one of the favourites with the extreme amount of talent available to them. One of the key cogs will no doubt be Veveni Lasaqa if he continues this form.
1. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens | Taranaki (5 Points)
Taranaki’s mercurial playmaker was at it once again, showing off his class in numerous facets of the game. His maverick playstyle stands out not only at NPC level but also when he’s been fit and playing for the Highlanders in Super Rugby.
Honestly, the 24-year-old has seemingly flown under the radar when it comes to receiving higher honours or recognition from the public. But if he continues to dominate the NPC like he did during the first Ranfurly Shield challenge of the season, those call-ups won’t be far away.
Against Northland, he was dominant in every sense of the word. He finished with three try assists thanks to his wide range of passing skills, his ability to fracture the defensive line, and his knack for creating clean breaks.
For Taranaki, he was the offensive hub in week one, and I expect that trend to continue.