NPC Power Rankings Post Round 2

Welp, just like that, round two of the NPC is in the books, and I think it would be fair to say we have learnt quite a bit about each team, especially now having that 160-minute sample size of each province.

After last week’s initial power rankings, it is time for us to dive into yet another edition of the series, and you can expect a bit of movement, with some teams impressing and even a few disappointing.

14. Counties Manukau | 0-3 | Previous Ranking: 14

Counties now fall to 0-2 and have also dropped down the rankings two spots, as they now find themselves in the bottom slot. They were completely and utterly dominated by North Harbour from start to finish, and to make matters worse, look like they have lost their best player in Gibson Popoali’i with a leg injury.

We cannot completely write them off, but it certainly looks like an uphill battle for the Steelers in the 2026 season.

13. Southland | 0-2 | Previous Ranking: 14

The Stags were impressive, leading just about wire to wire against Manawatū on Sunday afternoon. What was pencilled in as the worst game of the round turned into quite an exciting affair. The Stags were able to completely dominate the Turbos up front, with their scrum dominating for the first 60-odd minutes.

They will also be excited to see their young halves pairing in Nic Shearer and Jimmy Taylor putting on a show, which could bode well for the rest of the season.

12. Manawatū | 1-1 | Previous Ranking: 13

The Turbos scored a last-minute winner through Brayden Iose to snatch the win from the jaws of defeat against the Stags. No doubt they will be worried about their forward pack being dominated, but showing resilience and a bit of class in their backline during the second half provides a bit of hope.

11. Wellington | 0-2 | Previous Ranking: 11

A bit like Southland, the Lions were very unlucky to not come away with a win against Auckland at Western Springs Stadium. They were able to score plenty of points, with their cohesion looking a lot better than it did against the Magpies in round one. The likes of Du’Plessis Kirifi and Callum Harkin were likely the best players on the pitch, and maybe, just maybe, this is a performance they can build on heading into a short week where they will face the red-hot North Harbour.

10. Tasman | 1-1 | Previous Ranking: 6

Some mid-table team had to take a tumble to allow for the likes of Northland and Harbour to make their jumps, and this week, that is Tasman. The Mako, on Saturday evening, were picked apart by the highest-powered attack this season in Hawke’s Bay, who just scored at will all evening long.

While they have managed to beat North Harbour this season, there is no doubt the performance levels of the Mako have been alarming.

9. North Harbour | 1-1 | Previous Ranking: 11

Now, onto one of the bigger risers in the aforementioned North Harbour. They were very impressive against Counties on Thursday evening and look to be playing one of the best brands of footy in the competition.

They have been absolutely fearless with ball in hand and seemingly have some real talent when it comes to creators and ball carriers. Throw in the fact their defence looked rather resolute, and Harbour might have just found a recipe for success.

8. Northland | 1-1 | Previous Ranking: 9

Regardless of the loss, the Taniwha looked very solid against Bay of Plenty. It is evident Rivez Reihana is one of the better first-fives in the competition with the way he marshals them around, and no doubt he has some dangerous ball carriers to help him along the way.

A win against Bay of Plenty would have seen them rocket up the rankings. However, due to the loss, the one-spot jump makes sense for this week.

7. Auckland | 1-1 | Previous Ranking: 3

Auckland are one of the biggest fallers this week, and even though they did pull off their first win of the season, the manner in which they did it and the quality of side it was against was a worry.

In all honesty, they were lucky to pull off the win against the Lions, and without a couple of timely plays by their big-time names, they could easily be sitting here 0-2.

6. Bay Of Plenty | 1-1 | Previous Ranking: 8

Bay of Plenty were bad in round one, but there is no doubt there is plenty of talent in that side, and definitely some names in their squad that could be due to get a run and make a big difference to their season.

The Steamers secured their first win of the campaign against a very good Northland side and should take plenty of confidence, not only in the result but also in the performance they put on display.

5. Taranaki | 1-1 | Previous Ranking: 5

Taranaki could count themselves lucky to not be dropping down the list this week, but I would say the quality of the side they lost to in Waikato means they are certainly looking like one of the best teams in the competition.

No doubt Taranaki are missing Josh Jacomb, but they still have Kini Naholo to return and have a pretty good side as it stands.

4. Waikato | 2-0 | Previous Ranking: 7

For Waikato, they have been one of the biggest revelations this season and have looked like a very good outfit through the first two weeks, beating sides who both landed in this week’s top six.

They have a very efficient forward pack and a backline with plenty of talent across the board, which is being facilitated by Taha Kemara, who I would argue is playing the best rugby of his career.

3. Otago | 1-1 | Previous Ranking: 2

Otago will be devastated to lose the Ranfurly Shield to rivals Canterbury on Sunday afternoon, but there is no doubt this is still one of the best sides in the competition.

Their forward pack was up to the challenge against the most prolific unit in the competition, and without a couple of very uncharacteristic Cam Miller mistakes, the result of the Shield challenge could have been different.

2. Hawke’s Bay | 2-0 | Previous Ranking: 4

The Magpies, through two weeks, have been the most dominant side in the competition, putting up back-to-back 50-point performances to open the season.

They have a very good forward pack led by the young duo of Hunter Morrison and Cooper Flanders. They also might just have the best halves pairing in the competition, with Folau Fakatava and Harry Godfrey guiding the side around the paddock.

1. Canterbury | 2-0 | Previous Ranking: 1

They were not at their dominant best, but Canterbury have their hands on the Ranfurly Shield for the 16th time. Their forwards were very good, and the combination of Jone Rova and Chay Fihaki were dominant all afternoon long, ensuring good go-forward when the ball was given some air.

The biggest question mark hanging over them is whether Richie Mo’unga will be pried away by the All Blacks now Billy Proctor is headed home.