3 days ago Bunnings NPC Five emerging players to watch this NPC season
The 50th NPC sees Canterbury enter 2026 as champions with a roster that suggests it could repeat. There are 11 Super Rugby winners…
Users can now follow their favourite teams, tournaments and players in the RugbyPass App!
Canterbury face off against Taranaki Bulls in Hilux NPC Round 5 on Fri 1st September 2023 at Rangiora Showground Oval. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 03:05. In South Africa it’s at 04:05 SAST, 14:05 NZST in New Zealand, 12:05 AEST in Australia and 19:05 EST in the US.
Canterbury won the last encounter but Canterbury are in the best form of their last 5 games.
Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 1 place in the league table with Taranaki Bulls in 2nd and Canterbury in 3rd underlining just how tight this match could be.
The official squads for Canterbury vs Taranaki Bulls will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.
Join free and tell us what you really think!
Sign up for freeThe 50th NPC sees Canterbury enter 2026 as champions with a roster that suggests it could repeat. There are 11 Super Rugby winners…
Wallabies hopeful James Ramm will play for New Zealand side Northland during the 2026 National Provincial Championship.
More than a dozen current and former All Blacks Sevens representatives will feature in the opening round of the 2026 NPC season.
Returning All Blacks star Richie Mo'unga will be eased back into NPC rugby off the bench as the headliner of the first team naming…
Live Updates
Stephen Perofeta scores the try from close range.
Reed Prinsep (Canterbury) is shown a yellow card
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (Taranaki) is shown a yellow card
Great hands by Taranaki leads to a try for Vereniki Tikoisolomone
Chay Fihaki (Canterbury) is shown a yellow card
The touch judges raise their flags as Jayson Potroz kicks the conversion.
Nothing was going to stop Ricky Riccitelli from scoring as they record the try for Taranaki.
The touch judges raise their flags as Alex Harford kicks the conversion.
A penetrating move by Canterbury results in a try for Rameka Poihipi.
Slick passing by Canterbury leads to a try for Billy Harmon.
Alex Harford does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.
An interception for Canterbury allows Ngatungane Punivai to race clear for the try.
The Canterbury supporters go wild as Alex Harford successfully kicks the penalty goal.
The Taranaki supporters go wild as Jayson Potroz successfully kicks the penalty goal.
Alex Harford makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.
Silky skills by Canterbury ends with a try for Alex Harford.
A wonderful passing move by Taranaki is finished off by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Jayson Potroz has kicked a penalty goal.