One Player To Watch For Every NPC Team (Part Two)

Part one of the series is in the books, and we are finally getting announcements from all of the provinces for their 2026 squads.

With that said, it feels like the right time to build off what we did last time (which you can check out here), and look at the next five teams on the list, providing a player to watch from each side in the upcoming campaign.

Waikato | Malachi Wrampling

New Zealand are certainly never short of loose forward talent, and Waikato have another name starting to climb the New Zealand ranks this year in Malachi Wrampling. The Waikato and Blues No. 8 is an uber-dynamic athlete who certainly has the physical gifts and ceiling to become a genuine game-changer at the next level.

Standing at 6’3” and 112kg, he showed at Super Rugby level that he is starting to hone his craft around the nuances of the game, which will really take him to the next level as a prospect.

This NPC season is a real opportunity for Wrampling to prove he is a different calibre of player at NPC level, and that his more limited chances at Super Rugby level need to increase heading into next season.

Honorable Mentions: Oli Mathis and Aki Tuivailala

Taranaki | Kini Naholo

Everyone has heard of Kini Naholo because of his Super Rugby prowess over the past few seasons, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him completely dominate on the wing for Taranaki in this year’s NPC season.

Naholo has everything that is needed for a modern winger. He’s big, powerful, fast, athletic, has a feel for the game, and most importantly, always looks to get involved off his wing.

Unfortunately for him, he missed a big portion of the Super Rugby season for the Hurricanes, and when he did return, he was stuck behind the two single-season record breakers in Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby. However, that didn’t mean he failed to shine when given an opportunity. In his limited minutes, Naholo reminded everyone just how dynamic he can be with ball in hand and why he was in All Blacks discussions not long ago.

This NPC season is a chance for him to prove he can stay fit and show that he is one of the best players at the level, which will go a long way towards securing higher honours in the future.

Honorable Mentions: Jayden Sa and Adam Lennox

Manawatu | Mosese Bason

Next up on the list is another Hurricanes youngster in Mosese Bason. The promising loose forward enjoyed time in the New Zealand Under-20s set-up, and this time last year, started to make a name for himself in New Zealand rugby circles with his performances for the Turbos.

In his 2025 campaign, Bason started five of his nine Manawatū caps and was deployed all around the back row, showing the versatility he possesses. From there, Bason was brought into the Hurricanes squad, and while he did not make his debut, being able to rub shoulders with some of the country’s best players and spend time in that culture would have done him the world of good.

The hope for this year’s NPC is that he can take the learnings from being in that Hurricanes environment into practice for his provincial side and show just how talented he is.

Honorable Mentions: Jordi Viljoen and Raymond Tuputupu

Otago | Finn Hurley

It is not very often you can truly tag a player as injury-prone, but unfortunately for Finn Hurley, ever since he exploded onto the scene with Otago and the Highlanders, his growth has been stunted by time on the sideline.

Now at 23, it feels like a major point in Hurley’s career if he is going to start making waves on a national scale. When it comes to the fullback, there is undeniable talent, meaning if he can get a solid run of games under his belt, there is a real opportunity for him to build on his breakout seasons in 2022 and 2023 and put his name in line for a bigger role under Jamie Joseph and the Highlanders.

As we know, availability is the best ability, and if Hurley can stay fit for Otago, all I’ll say is watch this space.

Honorable Mentions: Lucas Casey and Henry Bell

Counties Manukau | Gibson Popoali’i

Counties Manukau were fairly decent last season. However, the trouble for them this year is the departing names, with the likes of Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu not suiting up for them this season.

For the Steelers, that means there will be added emphasis on Gibson Popoali’i to be their talisman and engine. Last season, he certainly took the competition by storm, leading all midfielders in defenders beaten, tries and carries, while also providing some ability when it came to kicking goals when needed.

This year, if Counties are going to be anywhere near the .500 team they were last year, there is no doubt Popoali’i is going to need to match his output from last season, if not increase it.

Honorable Mentions: Ioane Moananu and Joey Taumateine