Just a slow start?

3 losses and a draw in their first 4 games proved too tough to come back from for Hawkes Bay in this year’s NPC competition.

Semi-finalists for the last 2 seasons, the Napier-based outfit did not register a win until round 5 and will play in the ‘bottom 7′ of next years NPC Competition.

The magpies have too much talent and team spirit to stay down for long. Their roster includes some big names:

  • Zac Guildford, Israel Dagg, Hikawera Elliot, Karl Lowe, Brynn Evans, Ross Kennedy, Jason Shoemark, Kahn Fotuali’i

Hawkes Bay revived their season with a string of good performances winning 4 of their last 5 matches.

The real damage may have been the draws

The magpies had 3 draws this season and although these have been against top opposition (Canbterbury, Waikato and Auckland) – sharing points in close matches seriously damages semi-final prospects – especially when the win was so close (like a last second kick against Auckland in round 9).

2010 NPC Record

Round Result Opponent
1 draw Canbury
2 loss Bay of Plenty
3 loss Tasman
4 loss Southland
5 win Manawatu
6 draw Otago
7 loss Waikato
8 loss Wellington
9 win Taranaki
10 draw Auckland
11 win Northland
12 win North Harbour
13 win Counties/Manukau

What effect will their performance have on the Super Rugby prospects of their players?

The form of an NPC team is the biggest prospect for their players when it comes to gaining Super Rugby contracts.

Changes year-on-year.

  • Southland will probably have a considerable amount of influence in the Otago team againthis time around
  • There will continue to be a strong contingent of Bay of Plenty players in the Chiefs squad
  • The teams at the bottom of the table – Manawatu, Northland, North Harbour, Otago will have scant representation and this includes Hawkes Bay