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New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship is ready to begin and once again there will be several players with Major League Rugby experience taking part. Formerly known as the Mitre 10 Cup, this year’s competition is known as the Bunnings NPC for sponsorship reasons.
Three notables have been included in the initial rosters for the top division, known as the Premiership. Former Utah flyhalf Tim O’Malley, who was meant to join Dallas earlier this year, will turn out for defending champions Tasman. Runners-up Auckland count New York flyhalf Dan Hollinshead among their ranks. Free Jacks utility back Beaudein Waaka will again turn out for Waikato.
Northland feature New York back row Kara Pryor and an all-MLR midfield in Blake Hohaia and Rene Ranger, formerly of Utah and Colorado respectively. Canada XV representative Jordan Olsen is again set to skipper the side from his hooker position.
Counties Manukau feature newly-capped Samoa internationals Kalolo Tuiloma and Sam Slade, another who were formerly attached to Utah and Colorado. Ex-Raptors No8 Murphy Taramai is with North Harbour, and ex-Free Jacks prop Donald Brighouse returns for Taranaki.
Two current New England players will suit up for Otago in prop Sef Fa’agase and midfielder Aleki Morris-Lome. Lastly Southland feature ATL winger Rory van Vugt and will be captained by USA international and former San Diego and NOLA flanker Tony Lamborn.
