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Bunnings
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47
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86
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216
113
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38
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Latest

Bunnings NPC

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Stats

Teams
Players
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Teams

Taranaki Bulls Taranaki Bulls Counties Manukau Counties Manukau Auckland Auckland Wellington Wellington Southland Stags Southland Stags Otago Otago Canterbury Canterbury Northland Northland Waikato Waikato Bay of Plenty Bay of Plenty North Harbour North Harbour Hawkes Bay Hawkes Bay Manawatu Manawatu Tasman Mako Tasman Mako

News

Du’Plessis Kirifi reveals the secret behind Wellington Lions’ success

The teams are in: Lineups confirmed for unpredictable NPC semi-finals

Why NPC table-toppers Wellington aren’t ‘too comfortable' before semis

The ‘rogue’ reason that’s contributed to the NPC’s success in 2024

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The Bunnings NPC is the highlight of the New Zealand rugby calendar. Formerly known as the National Provincial Championship, this domestic competition was updated in 2022 and features the top 14 provincial rugby union teams in the country. Every year, the tournament’s top sides battle to win the championship, lift the trophy and be recognised as New Zealand’s premier provincial side. 

Looking forward to the upcoming Bunnings NPC? Whether you’re searching for the next fixture, the latest results or the current stats, we’ve got all of this and more right here at RugbyPass. Explore below to discover team information, news and FAQs.

Bunnings NPC History & Sponsorship

The Bunnings NPC was launched back in 2006, when the Air New Zealand Cup replaced the National Provincial Championship. This original tournament had been in place since 1976 and it was New Zealand’s highest level of rugby union competition for two decades – it was superseded by the launch of Super Rugby in 1996.

The NPC was contested by 28 teams between 1976 and 2005. At this point, the tournament turned professional and it restructured into two separate competitions: The Air New Zealand Cup for the top 14 teams and the Heartland Championship for the remaining sides. 

Since its debut, the tournament has been named after several sponsors. Although it continued as the Air New Zealand Cup until 2009, it was later known as the ITM Cup (2010-15) and the Mitre 10 Cup (2016-2021). It has existed as the Bunnings NPC since 2021.

Bunnings NPC Format

The format of the Bunnings NPC tournament was updated in 2022. This means that all 14 sides now play to win one title.

In the current structure, teams are seeded based on their performance during the previous season and placed into two conferences: ‘Odds’ containing the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th ranked teams; ‘Evens’ containing the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th and 14th ranked sides.

Additionally, the Bunnings NPC utilises a round-robin format. Each team plays five home and five away games during the season: one against each side in their conference and a total of four against teams from the other conference. The top eight teams then progress to the play-offs, which include four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final.

FAQs

When did the National Provincial Championship become the Bunnings NPC?

The National Provincial Championship became the Bunnings NPC in 2022. This is because Bunnings Warehouse replaced Mitre 10 as the tournament’s headline sponsor. As such, the name changed from the Mitre 10 Cup to the Bunnings NPC.

When was the first edition of the National Provincial Championship?

The first edition of the National Provincial Championship was held in 1976. The inaugural tournament was won by Bay of Plenty after they beat Manawatu in the final. Additionally, this competition has been known as the Air New Zealand Cup (2006-09), the ITM Cup (2010-15), the Mitre 10 Cup (2016-21) and the Bunnings NPC (2021-present).

Which teams play in the Bunnings NPC?

There are 14 teams from New Zealand that play in the Bunnings NPC: Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Counties Manukau, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, North Harbour, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato and Wellington.

Which team has won the most Bunnings NPC titles?

Auckland has won the most Bunnings NPC titles. Since 1982, the team has been crowned as the tournament’s overall champions on 17 occasions.

What’s the format of the Bunnings NPC?

The format of Bunnings NPC changed in 2022. Instead of being split into two divisions – the Premiership and Championship – the 14 teams are seeded and structured into two conferences: the ‘Odds Conference’ and the ‘Evens Conference’. Each team plays 10 games during the round-robin format and successful teams progress to the knockout stages.

What is the Ranfurly Shield?

The Ranfurly Shield is a trophy awarded in New Zealand’s domestic rugby union tournaments. Donated by the Earl of Ranfurly and known as the Log o’ Wood, the Ranfurly Shield was first contested in 1904. The winning team must defend the Shield by accepting at least seven challenges for the following season.

What is the Duane Monkley Medal?

The Duane Monkley Medal is New Zealand’s most prestigious player of the year award. The Medal was introduced in 2017 and the recipient is decided via a season-long points system – officials award points to the top three players after each match. The player with the most points at the end of the season wins the Duane Monkley Medal.

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