(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Top Five NPC Performers of Round Two
By Adam Julian
The second round of the NPC saw strong performances from Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, and Hawke’s Bay, reinforcing their credentials as title contenders. Meanwhile, defending champions Wellington bounced back impressively from an opening loss by defeating Waikato in Hamilton.
Here are the five standout players from Round 2:
James Mullan (Northland)
Coming off the bench at halftime, hooker James Mullan lit up the game with a hat-trick that helped Northland overcome Southland 22-17. Despite limited Super Rugby experience, Mullan made a big impact with powerful lineout drives and 11 strong carries. His accuracy in set pieces and physical play proved crucial in Northland’s win.
Akira Ieremia (Wellington)
Wellington rebounded with a 35-24 victory over Waikato, with Ieremia playing a key role. He contributed to two tries and scored one himself, helping to halt Waikato’s comeback efforts. Ieremia was active across the field, making 12 carries and six tackles, while Wellington dominated the lineout battle.
Wellington’s Caleb Delany reached his 50th game milestone with a match-high 17 tackles, and Jackson Garden-Bachop became the club’s second-highest points scorer in NPC history, surpassing All Black John Gallagher.
Daniel Rona (Taranaki)
Centre Daniel Rona delivered another consistent performance for Taranaki, scoring an important try and making 12 carries with two line breaks in their close contest with North Harbour. Rona’s durability and try-scoring ability continue to shine after a strong season with the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific.
Tom Christie (Canterbury)
In a tight match, Tom Christie’s relentless defense stood out as he made 21 tackles and won three turnovers, including the crucial final steal that sealed Canterbury’s 19-15 win over Auckland. Christie’s work ethic and composure under pressure are key to Canterbury’s success as they chase another NPC title.
Lucas Cashmore (Bay of Plenty)
Cashmore made the most of his starting opportunity, scoring a 25-meter solo try and carrying the ball 10 times to help Bay of Plenty secure a 39-22 win against Counties Manukau. His smart decision-making and strong running (73 meters gained) were vital in the Steamers’ victory.
Counties’ hooker Ioane Moananu impressed off the bench with two tries, highlighting his underrated talent ahead of his move to the Waratahs in 2026.
