NPC Power Rankings Post Round 9

With another weekend behind us, it is time for us to update our competition power rankings.

14. Wellington | 0-9 | Previous Ranking: 14

Wellington are well on their way to being the worst side in their province’s history, and with a trip to Taranaki this weekend, I would assume they are going to end the season winless.

13. Southland | 2-7 | Previous Ranking: 13

Southland put in a gritty shift against Canterbury at the weekend, but unfortunately, weren’t able to pull off the upset, leaving themselves stuck on just two wins heading into the final week.

12. Auckland | 3-6 | Previous Ranking: 11

Auckland were starting to pick up some momentum towards the back end of the season, but had essentially all their playoff hopes disappear with their loss to Manawatu at the weekend.

11. Counties Manukau | 3-6 | Previous Ranking: 12

What a triumph! Regardless of missing the top eight, the season is now a success in my books for Counties, who were able to pull the rug out from under Northland this weekend and pull off maybe the upset of the season by winning the Ranfurly Shield.

I’m not sure how much chance they have of holding on to the Log o’ Wood this weekend against the Magpies. However, what they did at the weekend was a massive feat for their province.

10. Manawatū | 5-4 | Previous Ranking: 10

Manawatū are still in with a chance of breaking into the playoffs after their win against Auckland this past week. However, getting a win against a very good Canterbury side will be tough sledding and a huge ask if they are to keep their season alive.

9. Bay Of Plenty | 4-5 | Previous Ranking: 6

Bay of Plenty had a massive opportunity to keep stacking wins and make a real push for the playoffs, especially with the addition of three All Blacks to the fold. However, they were unable to get the job done against Tasman and will need a couple of results to go their way, as well as a win against North Harbour, to keep their campaign alive.

8. Waikato | 5-4 | Previous Ranking: 9

Waikato currently have the upper hand over a couple of teams on the playoff bubble, but still need a result this week against Tasman to ensure their place in the final eight.

I’m not sure how that will play out, with Tasman looking rather strong and a couple of big names returning to the fold, but I certainly wouldn’t count this Waikato side out.

7. Tasman | 5-4 | Previous Ranking: 8

As mentioned, Tasman have brought some big hitters back into the fold, including a couple of All Blacks for the final few weeks of the regular season. The added talent really showed this weekend against a solid Bay of Plenty side, and no doubt the Mako will be leaning on the likes of Shannon Frizell and Timoci Tavatavanawai this weekend up north.

6. Otago | 6-3 | Previous Ranking: 3

Otago have slipped down the rankings big time this week. While they suffered a tough loss to North Harbour, the potential injury to their star loose forward Lucas Casey is what’s really worrying. Casey left the field with an apparent injury towards the end of the game, and if he’s not fit for the latter stages of the competition, his absence would leave massive shoes to fill.

5. Hawke’s Bay | 6-3 | Previous Ranking: 2

Like Otago, Hawke’s Bay have fallen down the rankings after being totally outclassed by Taranaki, who added a bunch of top-tier talent from the All Blacks set-up to their side.

But it wasn’t only that loss that was concerning. A team coming off three losses on the bounce is cause for major concern, and this weekend Hawke’s Bay need to find a way not only to win, but also to carry the momentum of holding the Shield into the playoffs.

4. North Harbour | 6-3 | Previous Ranking: 5

North Harbour always find a way to get off the mat. After losing to Canterbury, their ability to bounce back and beat Otago is massive for their chances in the latter part of the season.

3. Northland | 6-3 | Previous Ranking: 1

I mean, Northland could have fallen further, but with a lot of the other teams struggling around them, they get to stay in the top three, even after losing to Counties and missing the opportunity to keep the Shield until next year.

2. Canterbury | 7-2 | Previous Ranking: 4

As I said last week, Canterbury are just very quietly going about their business. They notched up another win this past weekend, which gives them the most wins this season. The impressive thing about the side is that they haven’t added any outside talent from the All Blacks and have just continued to go about their work.

1. Taranaki | 5-4 | Previous Ranking: 7

Now, this might seem like a stretch, but right now, without knowing who is going to make the All Blacks squad, this Taranaki team is by far the best team in the competition on paper, and they looked like it against the Magpies last weekend.

I would expect them to lose maybe both of their locks to the All Blacks come playoff time, but other than that, I feel most of their additions will remain in the squad.