The Hilux NPC Form XV: Standout performers across the 2026 season

The 50th NPC is done and dusted. Who would make a Form XV in 2026? Plenty of surprising, eye-catching new talent emerged, alongside familiar names who stepped up.

1. Esile Fono (Northland) 

Had a torrid time in the final, but scrum power was a massive part of Northland’s fairytale run in 2026. Fono should debut in Super Rugby Pacific 2027. His massive improvement, work ethic and consistency are very appealing.

2. Brodie McAlister (Canterbury)

With the former All Black in the roster, Canterbury have won 12 of their last 13 games. The most accurate lineout thrower in the competition helped himself to two tries from lineout drives when Canterbury took the Ranfurly Shield off Otago and dotted down three times in a 62-26 slaying of Waikato in the semi-finals. Made 91 tackles and over 60 carries in 498 minutes.

3. Marcel Renata (Northland) 

The titan of the Taniwha scrum, which dismantled several opponents in 2026; just ask Taranaki (42-0), Canterbury (36-12) and Tasman (20-10). The Maori All Blacks prop was rewarded for his graft with two tries in the 38-19 semi-final win against Otago.

4. TK Howden (Manawatu) 

Manawatu won five games in 2026, their most successful campaign since 2014. Workhorse lock TK Howden was an inspirational leader. He ranked in the top ten for tackles made (169) and lineouts won (44). Howden had similar numbers in Super Rugby Pacific. He is a very consistent professional.

5. Hunter Morrison (Hawke’s Bay)

The former New Zealand Under-20s representative endured a chequered few years in professional rugby until a breakout NPC this season that saw him secure a contract with the Hurricanes. Hawke’s Bay won their first six games, and Morrison was awesome in all of them, scoring tries in victories against Wellington (52-33), Tasman (50-19), Manawatu (59-17), and Southland (36-21).

He frequently ranked near the top in tackles and carries. In the second half of the season, centurion Geoff Cridge and taller young prospect Tom Allen were the preferred starters, but the Magpies never had the same verve with Morrison less often on the field.

6. Dom Gardiner (Canterbury)

In Round 2, pilfered a legendary turnover to settle Canterbury’s successful 19-15 challenge of the Ranfurly Shield against Otago. He never stopped working. He ranked in the top three for carries (167) and tackles (183). Gardiner is a player who could start in many international XVs.

7.  Lucas Casey (Otago)

The Kerikeri Kid was named Highlanders Rookie of the Year in Super Rugby Pacific for his breakout campaign. Remarkably, in the NPC he tied Karl Te Nana’s 29-year-old record for tries in nine consecutive games. Additionally, Casey ranked in the top 30 for tackles made and turnovers won.

An honourable mention goes to fellow Highlander Sean Withy, who topped the competition tackle count for Southland with 182. Counties stalwart Adam Brash (174) also ranked among the top ten tacklers and was a huge influence for the Steelers, who ended the season with the Ranfurly Shield. Canterbury’s Corey Kellow has filled the boots of tackling machine Tom Christie.

8. Christian Lio-Willie (Otago)

A real talisman for Otago, ranking in the top ten for tries, carries, lineouts and offloads. Hasn’t figured much in the All Blacks conversation this year, but perhaps he should. He rarely lets you down.

9. Bryn Hall (North Harbour)

Many veterans returning from long spells overseas for the NPC appear to be going through the motions. Not 34-year-old North Harbour halfback, Bryn Hall. Hall’s leadership, option-taking, kicking, and speed of distribution were major reasons for North Harbour’s resurgence. Hall, who won 78 of 93 games at the Crusaders, including six Super titles, has signed for the defending champion Hurricanes in 2027.

10. Reviz Rehiana (Northland)

The leading points scorer in the NPC with 128, booted 18 points in Northland’s 38-19 win over Otago in the semi-final. He scored 15 of 20 in their first Ranfurly Shield defence against Tasman and kicked 11 in their successful challenge against Canterbury. Rehiana kicks better in general play than any ten in the competition and has a silky range of attacking skills. If another All Blacks ten were injured, would Rehiana be next cab off the rank?

11. Rory Taylor (North Harbour)

Secured a Blues contract with a breakout campaign. He ranked in the top ten in tries scored (7), clean breaks (23), defenders beaten (44), and meters gained (1039). Taylor was one of those players who could make something happen from nothing. He also showed a good boot, solid defensive qualities, and rapid improvement, as did North Harbour, who jumped from one win in 2025 to six in 2026.

12. Jake Te Hiwi (Otago)

Played 11 games and ranked inside the top ten for defenders beaten with 45. Though he scored only one try in a 57-33 win over Tasman, he played several fine matches. Most notably in destroying Wellington (61-22), both outings against Hawke’s Bay, and in the wins against Counties Manukau (50-21) and Auckland (45-42).

13. Dallas McLeod (Canterbury)

The former All Blacks centre will leave for Exeter in England in career-best form. He scored seven tries in 2026, including an outrageous chip-and-chase try in Canterbury’s 62-26 quarter-final thrashing of Waikato in Christchurch.

Rock solid on defence and always heading forward on the carry, McLeod departs New Zealand with a fine body of work. He played 67 games and won 48 for the Crusaders, winning five Super Rugby titles. With Canterbury, he has played 79 games, scoring 34 tries and winning the 2025 and 2026 NPC titles.

14. Kyren Taumoefolau (Tasman)

Smashed the NPC Division 1 record for most tries in a season with 19, beating Terry Wright of Auckland in 1984 and Brendan Laney of Otago in 1998 by four tries. He scored at least one try in nine of 11 games. He bagged five in a 50-35 win against Counties Manukau and four in a 50-33 hiding of Waikato. He topped the NPC for meters gained (1154), clean breaks (26), and defenders beaten (55).

15. Sam Nemec-Vial (Otago)

Rated in the top ten for most tries scored (9), metres gained on the carry (665), defenders beaten (41), and clean breaks (16). Lively and consistent, Nemec-Vial of Czech and Kiwi ancestry models his game on former All Blacks Rugby World Cup-winning fullback Ben Smith, who, like Nemec-Vial, played for King’s High School First XV and Green Island rugby club.

Taranaki’s Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens had an outstanding campaign and can’t be far away from international footy.