NPC Best Bets | Round 10

To kick off the final round of the NPC regular season, Otago will host Auckland in what is somewhat of a dead rubber, with Auckland on the outside looking in on the playoffs and Otago already secured in the dance.

For mine, this is a game that will allow Auckland to go out with a bang. The talent hasn’t been the issue for them, but rather the execution throughout the season. I would expect them to show up and keep this one close down south.

Tips

Best: Auckland (+14.5) @ $1.90
Anytime Try Scorer: Christian Lio-Willie @ $2.00 ($15 First)
Same Game Multi: Auckland (+14.5), Christian Lio-Willie ATS & Codemeru Vai ATS@ $7.18

From one end of the country to the other, the Northland Taniwha will be in despair after throwing away the chance to hold onto the Ranfurly Shield for the off-season, giving it up to their rivals, Counties Manukau.

They will travel down to Southland to take on this prideful Stags unit, who, like Counties, will try to stunt Northland’s momentum heading into the playoffs.

Tips

Best: Over 61.5 Total Points @ $1.90
Anytime Try Scorer: James Ramm @ $2.00 ($12.50 First)
Same Game Multi: Over 61.5 Total Points, James Ramm ATS & James Mullan ATS @ $5.

Manawatu are still within touching distance of the top eight, and this weekend they face the tall task of taking down a very in-form Canterbury side.

Canterbury now lead the pack for competition wins and are still well positioned to take the top spot on the ladder by the end of Sunday. That’s why I think they will look to put the Turbos to the sword.

Tips

Best: Canterbury (-9.5) @ $1.85
Anytime Try Scorer: Jone Rova @ $2.10 ($15 First)
Same Game Multi: Canterbury (-9.5), Jone Rova ATS & Under 65.5 Total points @ $7.55

The shield hangover will, I expect, be in full effect in this game, as Counties hit their 2026 pinnacle last weekend by winning the Log o’ Wood off Northland in stunning fashion, as mentioned.

This week, they host a reeling Magpies side who need to right the ship heading into the knockout stages, and there’s no better time to do so than in this Shield challenge.

Tips

Best: Hawke’s Bay 1 – 12 @ $3.30
Anytime Try Scorer: Folau Fakatava @ $2.00 ($15 First)
Same Game Multi: Hawke’s Bay 1 – 12, Folau Fakatava ATS, Sione Molia ATS @ $TBC

Quality game on Saturday evening, with both Tasman and Waikato jousting for table position in Round 10. One side will be relying on some pretty big names to make the difference.

That side is, of course, Tasman, who will have the likes of Timoci Tavatavanawai and Shannon Frizell available for the last time this season. They’ll also deploy Leicester Faingaʻanuku at openside to produce a starting XV that would worry most teams.

Tips

Best: Over 64.5 Total Points @ $1.92
Anytime Try Scorer: Maloni Kunawave @ $2.15 ($16 First)
Same Game Multi: Over 64.5 Total Points, Maloni Kunawave ATS, Shannon Frizell ATS @ $8.34

I haven’t seen a side trot out onto an NPC rugby field like this Taranaki one in a long time. They’re overflowing with talent and, heading into the last round of the NPC, have a prime opportunity to ensure Wellington remain winless this season.

The interesting part is that, in sport, we’ve often seen super teams struggle, especially when they’ve had a lack of reps. This doesn’t mean I think Wellington will beat Taranaki. Rather, there’s so much talent on the Taranaki side that needs to click in such a short time that Wellington could potentially cover this massive spread.

Tips

Best: Wellington (+31.5) @ $1.90
Anytime Try Scorer: Du’Plessis Kirifi @ $3.60 ($31 First)
Same Game Multi: Wellington (+31.5), Du’Plessis Kirifi ATS, Daniel Rona ATS @ $14.0

To close out the regular season, we have a very intriguing matchup, with top of the table North Harbour taking on playoff bubble side Bay of Plenty.

North Harbour have been the surprise package of the season, constantly showing they are well and truly in it for the long haul, while the Steamers have been a bit of a disappointment.

However, with North Harbour not having as much to play for, they might come into this one a bit flat, and some of the stars in Bay of Plenty’s side might make a few plays.

Tips

Best: Either Team By Under 7.5 @ $2.50
Anytime Try Scorer: Fehi Fineanganofo @ $1.53 ($9 First)
Same Game Multi: Either Team By Under 7.5, Fehi Fineanganofo ATS, Rory Taylor ATS @ $6.15