Olympic medallists headline stacked All Blacks Sevens contingent in NPC

More than a dozen current and former All Blacks Sevens representatives will feature in the opening round of the 2026 National Provincial Championship season, including a multi-time Olympian who is considered one of the all-time HSBC SVNS Series greats. 

Joe Webber is a three-time medalist at major international sporting events, helping New Zealand claim Olympic silver at the postponed Tokyo Games. NZ won two medals at the Commonwealth Games during Webber’s time with the team as well, in Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022. 

Webber has since called time on a decorated 15-year All Blacks Sevens career, but the flyer is still suiting up for Bay of Plenty in New Zealand’s NPC. The fast-footed winger has been named to start against Waikato in the opening match of the new campaign. 

The Bay have Webber on one edge, and another All Blacks Sevens powerhouse lining up on the other side of the field. Frank ‘The Tank’ Vaenuku will wear the No. 14 jersey for the Steamers, who have made the playoffs every season since 2022. 

Vaenuku has long been one to watch in the sevens space, having been named in the 2022 Global Youth Sevens Dream Team. Waisake Salabiau was the MVP of that tournament, and the winger has been selected in Waikato’s run-on side. 

The Mooloos do have an international New Zealand Sevens talent among their ranks, with the loose forward-wing utility Oli Mathis named at openside flanker. Mathis debuted for the All Blacks Sevens during the early rounds of the 2024/25 SVNS Series. 

Waikato vs Bay of Plenty

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Thursday at 7:10 pm NZST

Waikato: Mason Tupaea, Sean Ralph, George Dyer, Hamilton Burr, Dylan Eti, Samipeni Finau, Oli Mathis, Malachi Wrampling, Xavier Roe, Taha Kemara (c), Nathan Stephens, Austin Anderson, Mike Naitokani, Waisake Salabiau, Daniel Sinkinson.

Replacements: Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, Taipari Quinn, Gabe Robinson, Laghlan McWhannell, Andrew Smith, Senita Lauaki, Daiki Nakajima, AK Tuivailala.

Bay of Plenty: Benet Kumeroa, Kurt Eklund (c), Tevita Mafileo, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Jai Knight, Kalin Felise, Joe Johnston, Nikora Broughton, Richard Judd, Lucas Cashmore, Joe Webber, Reon Paul, T?miro Armstrong, Frank Vaenuku, Cole Forbes.

Replacements: Sione Tupou, Toby Taylor, Solomone Tukiafu, Reuben Palmer, Veveni Lasaqa, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Riley Hohepa, Jason Robertson. 

Sam Clarke has been named at first five-eighth for Taranaki, following a debut campaign with the All Blacks Sevens. Clarke has previously played for the Wellington Lions, before making a handful of appearances for the Bulls last season. 

Clarke got to play minutes at SVNS Cape Town in December, debuting on the world’s premier sevens circuit along with Bradley Tocker. The Chatham Islands product hasn’t started an NPC match for Taranaki before, but will soon start in the halves alongside Adam Lennox. 

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens has become a household Super Rugby Pacific name with the Highlanders, but as a teenager, the outside back signed with the All Blacks Sevens. Stuff reported in October 2019 that JRK first had to sit exams before linking up with the team. 

Taranaki head north to face Counties Manukau at Navigation Homes Stadium, kicking off at 2:05 pm NZST on Saturday afternoon. The Steelers have named a strong matchday 23, featuring Samoan scrum-half Jonathan Taumateine and USA Eagle Ezekiel Lindenmuth. 

Counties Manukau vs Taranaki

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

Saturday at 2:05 pm NZST

Counties Manukau: Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater, Marika Parker, Fiti Sa, Jesse Parete, Arese Poliko, Michael Loft, Kaylum Boshier (c), Adam Lennox, Sam Clarke, Willem Ratu, Seta Tamanivalu, Meihana Grindlay, Vereniki Tikisolomone, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Replacements: JJ Pokai, Keightley Watson, Dane Johnston, Jayden Sa, Sage Walters-Hansen, Logan Crowley, Haki Wiseman, Rocky Olsen.

Taranaki: Tom Polo, Ian West-Stevens, Atunaisa Moli, Joshua Balme, Jimmy Tupou (c), Cam Church, Adam Brash, Aporosa Vuniyayawa, Jonathan Taumateine, AJ Alatimu, Josh Gray, Gibson Popoali’i, Tevita Ofa, Blake Makiri, Adam Morrison.

Replacements: Rico McQuoid, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Kurene Luamanuvae, Veikoso Poloniati, Jonty Short, Melani Matavao, Larenz Tupea-Thomsen, Josiah Unga.

Michael Manson told RugbyPass this year that he once hit a top speed of 39.9 kilometres per hour, with that lightning-quick speed leading to higher honours. The winger had played in the NPC and in Major League Rugby before debuting on the SVNS Series in 2025/26. 

Manson scored some impressive tries against eventual HSBC SVNS Series and SVNS World Championship winners South Africa and will now have a chance to showcase that flair back at NPC level after being named to start for Southland. 

The Stags have named an intriguing side for the Southern Derby against Otago on Saturday evening, with NSW Waratahs backrower Clem Halaholo named at blindside. Waratahs prop Jack Barrett will look to make an impact off the bench. 

Scott Gregory is another All Blacks Sevens representative in Southland’s run-on side, selected at inside centre. The versatile back is coming off a solid SVNS Series campaign, returning to the circuit eight years after initially debuting. 

Capped All Blacks backrower Christian Lio-Willie captains an Otago team that includes Jona Nareki on one wing. Narek has played for the New Zealand Sevens side before, but has been an out-and-out 15s talent for quite some time. 

Southland vs Otago

Rugby Park, Invercargill

Saturday at 5:05 pm NZST

Southland Stags: Jack Sexton, Jack Taylor, Sef Fa’agase, Mitch Dunshea, Ale Aho, Clem Halaholo, Sean Withy (c), Sam Fischli, Nic Shearer, Jimmy Taylor, Jay Reihana, Scott Gregory, Hayata Taniyama, Michael Manson, Glen Vaihu.

Replacements: Jayden Henderson, Jack Barrett, Paula (Fehulk) Latu, Junior Ahokovi, Konrad Toleafoa, Charlie Marsh, Josh Jennings, Sloane Lankshear.

Otago: Benjamin Lopas, Henry Bell, Rohan Wingham, Will Stodart, Joseva Tamani, Oliver Haig, Lucas Casey, Christian Lio-Willie (c), Kieran McClea, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Timu, Jae Broomfield, Sam Nemec-Vial.

Replacements: Liam Coltman, Marley Pearce, Saula Ma’u, Harry Irving, Cody Lokotui, Joel Lam, Patrick Pellegrini, Riley Lucas.

Canterbury against Auckland is the game of the round for sevens fans, with at least five All Blacks Sevens representatives selected across the two sides. Andrew Knewstubb was a pivotal player with the sevens side for years, also winning Olympic silver, but is now focused on 15s. 

Knewstubb has been selected at first five-eighth for defending NPC champions Canterbury, which follows the playmaker’s time with the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific. Richie Mo’unga will come off the bench for the Cantabrians. 

Auckland have picked more sevens players than any other province this week, starting with Che Clarke at blindside flanker. Clarke made one start in eight appearances for the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific last season. 

Capped All Black Stephen Perofeta has a star-studded cast of backs outside him, with Xavier Tito-Harris and Codemeru ‘Cody’ Vai on the wings. Both Tito-Harris and Vai successfully switched from sevens to Super Rugby Pacific, starring with the Highlanders and Blues, respectively. 

Payton Spencer is the other Aucklander with sevens experience, having debuted for the All Blacks Sevens at the Sydney Sevens in early 2023. Spencer made five appearances for the Blues last season, seeing him earn higher honours with the Maori All Blacks. 

Canterbury vs Auckland

One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

Saturday at 7:10 pm NZST

Canterbury: Finlay Brewis, Brodie McAlister (c), Jermaine Ainsley, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Torian Barnes, Louie Chapman, Andrew Knewstubb, Kurtis MacDonald, Jone Rova, Dallas McLeod, Ngatungane Punivai, Chay Fihaki.

Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, Lewis Ponini, Seb Calder, Liam Jack, Finn McLeod, Tyson Bellworthy, Richie Mo’unga, Tevita Latu.

Auckland: Joshua Fusitua (cc), Soane Vikena, Angus Ta’avao-Matau, Tai Cribb, Joshua Beehre, Che Clark, Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo, Titi Nofoagatotoa, James Arscott, Stephen Perofeta (cc), Xavier Tito-Harris, Pita Ahki, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai, Rico Simpson.

Replacements: Nathaniel Pole, Ben Ake, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Harvey Cordukes, Randall Baker, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Garouw Basson, Payton Spencer.

All Blacks Sevens brothers Rob and Brady Rush will both start for Northland against Manawatu on Sunday afternoon. Rob starts in the loose forwards alongside Terrell Peita and Lachie Hooper, who is the younger brother of Wallabies enforcer Tom Hooper. 

Brady joins Nathan Salmon and Jordan Trainor in the outside backs, the latter of which is coming off another MLR season. Hudson Creighton and Heremaia Murray are the starting centres, and both have Super Rugby Pacific experience withAustralian clubs.

Northland vs Manawatu

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

Sunday at 2:05 pm NZST

Northland: Esile Fono, James Mullan, Marcel Renata, Josh Goodhue, Allan Craig, Rob Rush, Lachie Hooper, Terrill Peita, Sam Nock, Rivez Reihana (c), Brady Rush, Hudson Creighton, Heremaia Murray, Nathan Salmon, Jordan Trainor.

Replacements: Heath Macewan, Olly Ryan, Daniel Botha, Sam Caird, Grady Forbes, Josh Renton, Jade Stewart, Reuben Stewart.

Manawat? Turbos: Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Chris Finau, Flyn Yates, Taine Roiri, Robert Harley, Te Kamaka Howden (c), Rory Woods, Brayden Iose, Jordi Viljoen, Reece MacDonald, James Tofa, Ngani Laumape, Kyle Brown, Taniela Filimone, Drew Wild.

Replacements: Alani Fakava, Joseph Gavigan, Logan Wallace, Reuben Allen, Mosese Bason, Doug Philipson, Liam O’Connor, John Tapueluelu.

Riley Williams is another talent with SVNS Series experience named to play in the opening round of the NPC season. Williams have been selected on the bench for the Wellington lions, who host Hawke’s Bay at Hnry Stadium on Sunday. 

Du’Plessis Kirifi serves as vice-captain after missing out on All Blacks selection for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry in South Africa. Caleb Delany will lead the Lions, who have won two NPC titles since the 2022 and 2024 campaigns. 

Wellington vs Hawke’s Bay

Hnry Stadium, Wellington

Sunday at 5:05 pm NZST

Wellington Lions: Jake Turnbull, James O’Reilly, Samuela Tawake, Caleb Delany (c), Hugo Plummer, Dominic Ropeti, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Matolu Petaia, Logan Henry, Callum Harkin, Reo Matsushita, Divad Palu, Jackson Ropata, Losi Filipo, Cameron Burgess.

Replacements: Penieli Poasa, Geordie Bean, Alex Hewitt, Kenkichi Yanagawa, Sione Halalilo, Murphy Taramai, Riley Williams, Piri Paraone.

Hawke’s Bay Magpies: Clement Castets, Tyrone Thompson, Joe Apikotoa, Tom Allen, Hunter Morrison, Frank Lochore (c), Cooper Flanders, Tiaki Fabish, Folau Fakatava, Harry Godfrey, Neria Fomai, Lukas Ripley, Bailyn Sullivan, Jonah Lowe, Will Cole.

Replacements: Kianu Kereru-Symes, Hadlee Hay-Horton, Lolani Faleiva, Geoff Cridge, Sam Smith, Kade Manuel, Anaru Paenga-Morgan, Nic Benn.

Other games

Tasman vs North Harbour

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

Friday at 7:10 pm NZST

Tasman Mako: Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Eli Oudenryn, Vea Taumoefolau, Lopeti Faifua, Antonio Shalfoon, Tayne Hemopo, Rory Scott, Johnny Lee (c), Noah Hotham, William Havili, Kyren Taumoefolau, David Havili, Cooper Roberts, Leo Marfell, Taine Robinson.

Replacements: Dylan Irvine, Tom Heywood, Sione Mafi, Hunter Leppien, Matt Lowe, Mason Lund, Cooper Grant, Nic Sauira.

North Harbour: Tony Tafa, Bryn Gordon, Leka Tu’ungafasi, Tristyn Cook, Jack Lee, James Fiebig, Motikiai Murray, Jed Melvin (c), Bryn Hall, Cameron Howell, Rory Taylor, Oskar Koller, Leo Gordon, Thomas Barham, Kade Banks.

Replacements: Moses Hafoka, Oscar Cowley-Andrea, Riley Tofilau, Gus (Angus) Farnan, George Reeves, Nui Muriwai, Coby Miln, Tyler Pulini.