NPC Power Rankings Post Round 6

That is officially the first half of the NPC season in the books, and with another weekend behind us, it is time for us to update our competition power rankings.

14. Wellington | 0-6 | Previous Ranking: 13

Wellington looked to be in line for an upset as they started with a roar against Tasman in Blenheim.

However, as their starting XV began to fatigue, their lack of depth came to the forefront. The Mako eventually handed Wellington their sixth loss of the season.

13. Southland | 1-5 | Previous Ranking: 12

Southland were showing plenty of positive signs to begin the season, but over the past couple of weeks, it seems like they have found themselves stuck in a bit of a rut.

This past weekend, in a very winnable game on paper against Counties, they were blown away by the Steelers. As a result, they have slipped down the power rankings.

12. Counties Manukau | 2-4 | Previous Ranking: 13

On the other side of that game, Counties have stacked back-to-back wins, doing so in emphatic fashion. While it has been impressive, there is no doubt the teams they have faced have played a major factor in those results, which is why they aren’t flying up the rankings just yet.

Auckland were handed yet another loss this weekend, this time at the hands of Taranaki in what was a slow-burn game on Thursday night.

11. Auckland | 1-5 | Previous Ranking: 11

This coming weekend presents a massive opportunity for Auckland to notch up another win when they take on the aforementioned Counties. That result should show us exactly what kind of side Auckland are.

I know it’s strange to see North Harbour beat one of the better sides in the competition in such high-octane fashion and still slip down the rankings.

10. North Harbour | 4-2 | Previous Ranking: 9

It was finally a week where I felt they were going to face a good team that was hitting its straps. However, they were gifted the result against Northland, who ran out their second-string side as they looked to give some of their big names a rest halfway through the season.

Because of that, the win wasn’t all that impressive compared to a side like Manawatū, who have actually managed to jump them this week.

9. Bay Of Plenty | 3-3 | Previous Ranking: 6

Bay of Plenty were stunned by Manawatū and in fairness I wasn’t stunned. The Steamers had managed to scrape past a few teams in close games in recent weeks, but this time they weren’t able to grind out another result. Instead, they were blown away by a Turbos side that is seemingly finding its footing.

8. Manawatū | 3-3 | Previous Ranking: 10

As mentioned, the Turbos are taking some major positive steps this season as they look to sneak into the playoffs after appearing to be down and out early on.

They have a couple of really impressive players stepping up week after week, and it has been a real joy to watch the maturation of this squad.

7. Waikato | 3-3 | Previous Ranking: 4

It was a humbling experience for Waikato, who were embarrassed by a wounded Canterbury side on Saturday evening. It may have shown the side’s true colours after a middle period of the season where they had managed to hold onto a spot near the upper end of these rankings.

They were simply outclassed by a Canterbury side that has shown it isn’t indestructible over the past couple of weeks. For me, the most interesting part of all this is how Waikato respond. Will this result spiral their season, or will it serve as a wake-up call?

6. Canterbury | 4-2 | Previous Ranking: 8

A very good response from Canterbury, who managed to snap a two-game skid with an emphatic victory over Waikato, as mentioned.

They undoubtedly have class all over the squad and could add even more quality when some of the ABs return. Who knows, perhaps that mid-season losing streak will be exactly what kicks them into gear?

5. Taranaki | 3-3 | Previous Ranking: 7

Taranaki have climbed back into my good books with a couple of big wins on back-to-back weekends, while some of the teams around them haven’t overly impressed, hence their rise.

It feels like they have found an identity over the past couple of weeks, and Josh Jacomb’s return could be on the horizon, which would be a massive boost for this side.

4. Tasman | 4-2 | Previous Ranking: 5

The Mako continue to flex their muscles, with their back three perhaps being the most dangerous in the competition. They proved that once again against the Lions.

There are still questions surrounding their forward pack, but the skill set in the backline is incredibly exciting for fans and neutrals alike.

3. Otago | 4-2 | Previous Ranking: 3

Otago looked to be in a position to upset the Magpies early on, but after being completely shut down in the second half, Hawke’s Bay really turned it on down the stretch.

The first 40 minutes were clearly a huge positive for Otago, but the result showed there is still a gap between them and the standard set by the front-runners of the competition.

2. Northland | 4-2 | Previous Ranking: 2

Northland took a loss on the weekend and, even though it was their B team, it did highlight the lack of depth behind their frontline starters.

That is something that can’t be ignored over the course of a long season, but I still believe they have a very powerful winning formula through their 1 to 10 jerseys.

1. Hawke’s Bay | 6-0 | Previous Ranking: 1

It was good to see Hawke’s Bay deal with adversity against Otago and launch a comeback victory over a very good side.

It is just another string to their bow and another reason they have become the premier side in the competition right now.