Canterbury and Otago team lists locked and loaded for NPC final

The teams are in for the 2025 Bunnings NPC final, with an experienced Canterbury outfit hosting the up-and-comers of Otago.

Both sides are without some All Blacks who have contributed to their seasons to date, with Otago missing George Bower and Canterbury without Sam Darry, while Brodie McAlister has essentially swapped places with George Bell and has been named to start in the final.

Plenty of eyes will be peeled on Otago’s rising star halfback, Dylan Pledger, who will again partner with fellow young gun Cameron Millar in the halves.

For Canterbury, the game will serve as a farewell for captain Tom Christie, who is Newcastle-bound following a 60-cap Crusaders career as one of Super Rugby’s top tacklers. It is also Zach Gallagher’s final game for the foreseeable future, as the versatile forward has signed with Sir Steve Hansen’s Toyota Verblitz side in Japan.

Both sides have firepower loaded on the bench, with Jone Rova set for another supersub showing for Canterbury, while Finn Hurley is sure to inject plenty of pace for Otago.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

31

25

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

40%

Canterbury team

1. Finlay Brewis
2. Brodie McAlister
3. Seb Calder
4. Liam Jack
5. Jamie Hannah
6. Zach Gallagher
7. Tom Christie
8. Dominic Gardiner
9. Louie Chapman
10. Andrew Knewstubb
11. Ngatungane Punivai
12. Dallas McLeod
13. Braydon Ennor
14. Manasa Mataele
15. Chay Fihaki

Reserves

16. Nick Hyde
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Gus Brown
19. Tahlor Cahill
20. Torian Barnes
21. Tyson Belworthy
22. James White
23. Jone Rova

Otago team

1. Abraham Pole
2. Nic Souchon
3. Rohan Wingham
4. Will Tucker
5. Oliver Haig
6. Will Stoddart
7. Lucas Casey
8. Christian Lio-Willie
9. Dylan Pledger
10. Cameron Millar
11. Jona Nareki
12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen
13. Josh Timu
14. Jae Broomfield
15. Sam Gilbert

Reserves

16. Liam Coltman
17. Benjamin Lopas
18. Moana Takataka
19. Joseva Tamani
20. Harry Taylor
21. Nathan Hastie
22. Josh Whaanga
23. Finn Hurley