Two All Blacks fly home from Sydney to bolster NPC semi-finalists

Both Taranaki and Canterbury have been handed a huge boost ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Hilux NPC semi-final, with Josh Jacomb and Jamie Hannah returning to New Zealand early.

The duo missed out on All Blacks selection for both Bledisloe Cup Tests, but were in the 34-man squad that travelled to Sydney ahead of the second Test match against the Wallabies.

But the All Blacks confirmed on Sunday morning that the duo would turn out for their respective franchises, having flown home straight after the warm-up at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Jacomb’s last appearance for Taranaki was in their home victory over Hawke’s Bay, which featured Scott and Beauden Barrett at Jarred Profit Stadium.

Hannah has also missed a period of time, having been called up to the All Blacks squad for the third time in 2026, with the lock’s last appearance in red-and-black coming in their 34-21 home victory over Southland.

All Blacks assistant coach Neil Barnes confirmed to media in Sydney on Saturday night that Northland’s Simon Parker will suit up for the Taniwha in the Hilux NPC final.

“Absolutely, he’s [Parker] on a flight tomorrow [Sunday]. We’ve had an attitude all the way along that we’ll support the competitions where we can, and so respect the NPC. We’ve tried to release as many players as we can.

“The NPC has gone down great guns at the moment. Anybody was able to beat anybody, and so pleased that Taniwha had the season they’ve had.

“But yeah, for the Canterbury boys and the Taranaki boys. I hope they have a good game tomorrow and that the right team comes out on top.”

The Northland Taniwha will host Taranaki if the Bulls were to beat Canterbury on Sunday afternoon, while they would travel to Christchurch and face Canterbury if Alex Robertson’s side clinch a home final over Taranaki.