Aussie presence in NPC grows as RA’s high-performance director weighs in

More Australian-born players are suiting up for New Zealand provinces in the 2026 NPC, providing another avenue to play regular minutes at this time of year, while Super Rugby AUS continues to shape up as a strong option at home.

Rugby Database reported on X earlier this month that there had been 27 Australian-born players in the provincial competition across the opening three rounds, which is up more than 237 per cent since 2021.

It’s understood 19 Aussies played NZ provincial rugby in 2017 and 2024, which was the second-highest tally from the 12 seasons listed. But there has been an increase of more than 40 per cent on that figure, going off the statistic for the current campaign.

🇦🇺 Number of Australian born players in the @HiluxNPC 🇦🇺

2026 – 27 (After 3 rounds)
2025 – 15
2024 – 19
2023 – 13
2022 – 14
2021 – 8
2020 – 10
2019 – 18
2018 – 13
2017 – 19
2016 – 18
2015 – 14 pic.twitter.com/LHeBJ7KkYc

VIDEO

— Rugby Database Stats & Info (@nzrugbydatabase) August 17, 2026

NSW Waratahs forwards Jack Barrett and Clem Halaholo are both with the Southland Stags, Richie Asiata is playing for the Tasman Mako, and one-Test Wallaby Darby Lancaster got on the scoresheet last weekend for the ladder-leading Hawke’s Bay.

Queensland Reds-bound utility forward Lachlan Hooper started at openside flanker as Northland brought an end to their near 50-year Ranfurly Shield drought last week. Dan Botha, Hudson Creighton and James Ramm are other Australians wearing the Taniwha’s sky blue kit this season.

Ramm, who has signed a deal with the Western Force after a successful stint abroad with the Northampton Saints, is one of 10 players from the Super Rugby Pacific squad that are taking part in the NPC as part of targeted placements.

“One of rugby’s great strengths is its global appeal and the platform it provides players to experience different cultures, environments and playing philosophies,” Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance, Peter Horne, said, as provided to RugbyPass.

“At the same time, we are pleased with the development of the Super Rugby AUS competition as it enters its second season and the opportunity it provides for players to test themselves against quality opposition and press for higher honours.”

Super Rugby AUS squads are training away and preparing for the upcoming season, which gets underway on September 12. It’s a four-week competition which looks to help players and staff develop through high-level hit-outs.

The Queensland Reds host the Western Force in the season opener at Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium, while the ACT Brumbies face defending champions the NSW Waratahs at Bungendore Sports Hub in the other round one fixture.

It’s an opportunity for players to suit up in their new club colours as well, with former Australia Sevens flyer Aden Ekanayake linking up with the Force, and back Triston Reilly signing with the Brumbies after multiple seasons in Sydney.

Aiden Stait is another player to watch out for in Super Rugby Aus, with the 203-centimetre, 130-kilogram lock returning home to Australia after three years in France. Stait has been training alongside Wallaby Nick Frost, preparing for a potential shot to play in the weeks ahead.

“Looking back on those three years, every time the Wallabies played I was trying to watch. I was watching Frosty, I was watching all those boys run around,” Stait told RugbyPass earlier this month.

“You’re sitting there watching the game and you’re like, ‘Geez, one day I hope that’s me. I’ll do whatever it takes to get there.’

“Now to even be training with Frosty – he’s been so good to me. I’ve been there a month now and we’re working on body height and getting up in the lineouts. It’s a pinch-me moment. I still can’t believe it.”