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This weekend will be the final preseason hit-out for New Zealand’s provincial squads before the Bunnings NPC officially kicks off on August 5. As has now become custom, numerous players who have suited up in Major League Rugby will be taking part. Many will return in 2023, though a choice few may yet pick up Super Rugby deals if they can impress the selectors.
A change in format this year has seen the two-division approach ended in favor of two conferences – the Odds and Evens – which represent rankings from last season. Instead of Premiership and Championship finals taking place, there will be just a single title up for grabs with the two four teams from each conference advancing to the knock-out stage.
In the Odds Conference, Seawolves star AJ Alatimu will play for Counties Manukau, joining fellow Samoa international Sam Slade at the Steelers. Slade previously played in MLR for the Colorado Raptors. San Diego prop Joe Walsh and former ATL vice-captain Rory van Vugt are on the books for Southland.
Hawke’s Bay will have Austin prop Namatahi Waa and Utah standout Caleb Makene among their ranks, while Otago can call upon New York lock Will Tucker. Nehe Milner-Skudder has signed up with the Wellington Lions.
More ‘New Yorkers’ can be found in the Evens Conference. Manawatu will have Jason Emery and Ed Fidow in their backline, while Free Jacks flanker Slade McDowall and ex-Austin lock Potu Leavasa are also with the Turbos. Nic Mayhew will prop up the North Harbour scrum with former Colorado flanker Michael Curry also in their pack.
The Free Jacks are heavily represented at Taranaki with hooker Mills Sanerivi, lock Stan van den Hoven, and back row Jesse Parete all present. Former New England prop Donald Brighouse is another who will line up for the Bulls this season.
Auckland have five players representing four MLR clubs among their ranks. Old Glory flanker Felix Kalapu joins Free Jacks No8 Terrell Peita in the back row stables. Utah lock Jamie Lane is there while Warriors forwards coach Robbie Abel has put on the boots again in the front row. San Diego winger Tomas Aoake completes the quintet.
Legion fans can also cheer on hooker Matt Moulds at Northland, who again feature former Colorado center Rene Ranger. A pair of props in Seattle’s Sam Matenga and Toronto’s Isaac Salmon have returned to Tasman. Canterbury doesn’t have any MLR players they do feature US-born hooker Shilo Klein.
