Watch: Waikato score stunning try less than two minutes into NPC season

It took Waikato less than two minutes to score the opening points of the 2026 National Provincial Championship season, with winger Nathan Stephens kicking off the home side’s point-scoring blitz in a 38-26 win over Bay of Plenty.

Waikato raced out to a relentless 35-0 lead by half-time, having run in five tries to none during a sublime start to the new campaign. Stephens was the first to touch down for a five-pointer, placing the ball down about 98 seconds into the season.

Xavier Roe and Taha Kemara were involved in the lead-up play, as the Mooloos spread the ball towards the left sideline. But the eventual try-scorer made the magic happen, linking up with loose forward-wing utility Oli Mathis, who in turn found fullback Dan Sinkinson.

Sinkinson drew in Steamers fullback Cole Forbes before delivering the final pass to Stephens, who beat a desperate covering tackle attempt from Richiard Judd. Waikato were off to a flyer to kick off the provincial season, setting the tone for the point-scoring avalanche ahead.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Provincial Rugby NZ (@provincialrugby.nz)

First five-eighth Taha Kemara added the extras, before lining up another shot at the poles about 10 minutes later. Waisake Salabiau was next to strike, before Sinkinson added another five to the home side’s score soon after.

Waikato gave their home fans at FMG Stadium Waikato plenty to cheer about during the first 20 minutes, as they played at more than a point per minute. Kemara was sensational during the first half as a whole, with the playmaking finishing with a 15-point haul.

That included a try for Kemara in the 25^th minute, which the No. 10 converted. Mathis then added another try to the team’s tally in the dying stages of the half, with Waikato completing a faultless half of footy.

But the second half was vastly different, with Bay of Plenty clawing their way back into the fight with 26 points of their own. Forbes and Riley Hohepa scored tries each in three minutes before Waikato struck back with an Austin Anderson penalty goal.

Veveni Lasaqa reduced the deficit with two quick tries in the final five minutes, both converted by Jason Robertson. But the damage had been done by Waikato during the first half, as they secured a confidence-building win first up.

“We’ve got a new coaching setup and new systems and men, we just want to play,” captain Kemara said post-game on Sky Sport.

“As you saw, our outside backs, just giving them freedom to just play footy.

“That first half was massively open running rugby and it’s how we want to play but I know that second half was probably not how we wanted to play. There’s two contrasting halves for us.”