Eight All Blacks released to play opening round of NPC

Eight All Blacks have been made available for NPC duties when the season kicks off later this week, bringing more star power to the provinces.

The season kicks off on Thursday, with Auckland hosting Waikato in a contest set to feature the recently re-signed Anton Lienert Brown in the midfield for the Mooloos.

The latest All Blacks debutant, Brodie McAlister, will square off with Ruben Love in Porirua on Saturday, with the Test rookie available for the red and black of Canterbury and Love available for a return to Wellington colours.

Saturday will also see another rookie fresh off an impressive debut, Christian Lio-Willie, bring his form to Otago’s southern showdown with Southland.

Bay of Plenty can bring two doses of international class to the table, with Emoni Narawa and Pasilio Tosi both made available. It’s a timely addition for a side facing a star-studded Tasman outfit that has names like David Havili, Ethan Blackadder and Leicester Fainga’anuku to call on.

But that’s not all for the Nelson-based heavyweights, as newly capped All Blacks wrecking ball Timoci Tavatavanawai has been released to make an appearance for the Mako.

Finally, Counties Manukau will have the services of Dalton Papali’i when they travel to Napier to take on Hawke’s Bay for the final game of round one.

All Blacks available for NPC games this week

Anton Lienert-Brown, Waikato
Ruben Love, Wellington
Brodie McAlister, Canterbury
Christian Lio-Willie, Otago
Pasilio Tosi, Bay of Plenty
Emoni Narawa, Bay of plenty
Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tasman
Dalton Papali’i, Counties Manukau