2021 Bunnings NPC

2021 Bunnings NPC season
2021 Bunnings NPC season
Countries	New Zealand
Date	6 August – 20 November
Champions	Waikato
Runners-up	Tasman
Matches played	53
Tries scored	353 ; (average 6.7 per match)
Top point scorer	Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki); 172 points
Top try scorer	Leicester Fainga'anuku (Tasman); 8 tries
Official website
	www.provincial.rugby
	← 2020 2022 →

The 2021 Bunnings NPC season was the sixteenth season of New Zealand's provincial rugby union competition since it turned professional in 2006. The regular season began on August 6, when Manawatu hosted Counties Manukau. It involved the top fourteen rugby unions of New Zealand. For sponsorship reasons, the competition was known as the Bunnings NPC and it was the first season under the lead sponsor and to carry the NPC moniker since 2005. The winner of the Championship, Taranaki wasn't promoted to the Premiership due to a format restructure earlier in the season. The seventh placed Premiership team, Auckland wasn't relegated to the Championship after not being able to compete after the resurgence of COVID-19 in the Auckland region.

Format

The Bunnings NPC standings were sorted by a competition points system. Four points were awarded to the winning team, a draw equaled two points, whilst a loss amounted to zero points. Unions could also win their side a respectable bonus point. To receive a bonus point, they must have scored four tries or more or lose by seven or fewer points or less.^[1] Each team was placed on their total points received. If necessary of a tiebreaker, when two or more teams finish on equal points, the union who defeated the other in a head-to-head got placed higher. In case of a draw between them, the side with the biggest points deferential margin got rights to be ranked above. If they were tied on points difference, it was then decided by a highest scored try count or a coin toss.^[2] This seeding format was implemented since the beginning of the 2006 competition.

The competition included a promotion-relegation process with the winner of the Championship receiving automatic promotion to the Premiership, replacing the seventh-placed team in the Premiership which was relegated to the Championship for the following year. The regular season consisted of two types of matches. The internal division matches were when each team played the other six unions in their division once, home or away. The cross-division matches were when each team played four teams from the other division, thus missing out on three teams, each from the opposite division. Each union played home or away games against teams from the other division, making a total of ten competition games for each union.^[3] The finals format allowed the top four teams from each division move on to the semi-finals. The top two division winners, based on table points, received a home semi-final. In the first round of the finals, the semi-finals, the second division winner hosted the third division winner, and the first division winner hosted the fourth division winner. The final was hosted by the top remaining seed.^[4]

Standings

Source: Bunnings NPC standings 2021^[5]

Standings progression

Premiership
Team	W1	W2	W3	W4	W5	W6	W7	W8	W9	W10
Auckland	5 (3rd)	6 (4th)	6 (7th)	6 (7th)	6 (7th)	6 (7th)	8 (7th)	8 (7th)	8 (7th)	8 (7th)
Bay of Plenty	0 (6th)	5 (6th)	7 (6th)	8 (6th)	13 (5th)	13 (6th)	15 (6th)	15 (6th)	17 (6th)	24 (6th)
Canterbury	0 (5th)	5 (7th)	9 (4th)	13 (4th)	13 (4th)	15 (5th)	18 (5th)	19 (5th)	23 (5th)	28 (3rd)
Hawke's Bay	0 (7th)	5 (5th)	9 (3rd)	14 (2nd)	14 (3rd)	19 (1st)	26 (1st)	31 (1st)	36 (1st)	38 (1st)
Tasman	4 (4th)	8 (2nd)	13 (1st)	13 (3rd)	18 (1st)	18 (2nd)	20 (4th)	20 (4th)	23 (3rd)	28 (4th)
Waikato	5 (2nd)	10 (1st)	11 (2nd)	16 (1st)	17 (2nd)	17 (3rd)	21 (2nd)	21 (3rd)	26 (2nd)	30 (2nd)
Wellington	5 (1st)	7 (3rd)	8 (5th)	9 (5th)	11 (6th)	16 (4th)	21 (3rd)	23 (2nd)	23 (4th)	25 (5th)
Championship
Team	W1	W2	W3	W4	W5	W6	W7	W8	W9	W10
Counties Manukau	0 (6th)	0 (6th)	0 (7th)	0 (7th)	0 (7th)	0 (7th)	2 (7th)	2 (7th)	2 (7th)	2 (7th)
Manawatu	4 (1st)	5 (2nd)	5 (2nd)	9 (2nd)	13 (2nd)	18 (2nd)	20 (2nd)	21 (2nd)	22 (2nd)	24 (2nd)
North Harbour	0 (5th)	4 (3rd)	4 (3rd)	4 (3rd)	4 (4th)	4 (5th)	6 (5th)	6 (5th)	6 (6th)	6 (6th)
Northland	0 (7th)	0 (7th)	1 (6th)	1 (6th)	6 (3rd)	6 (3rd)	8 (4th)	8 (4th)	10 (4th)	12 (5th)
Otago	4 (3rd)	4 (4th)	4 (4th)	4 (4th)	4 (5th)	5 (4th)	11 (3rd)	15 (3rd)	15 (3rd)	20 (3rd)
Southland	1 (4th)	1 (5th)	1 (5th)	2 (5th)	2 (6th)	2 (6th)	4 (6th)	4 (6th)	9 (5th)	13 (4th)
Taranaki	4 (2nd)	9 (1st)	13 (1st)	18 (1st)	18 (1st)	22 (1st)	28 (1st)	33 (1st)	33 (1st)	39 (1st)
The table above shows a team's progression throughout the season. For each week, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall division log position in brackets.
Key:	win	draw	loss	bye

Regular season

The 2021 Bunnings NPC was originally scheduled to play across ten weeks. The competition started on Friday, August 6, with Manawatu taking on Counties Manukau at Central Energy Trust Arena.^[6] On August 18, New Zealand Rugby announced that all rugby in New Zealand would be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[7] In September it was confirmed the competition schedule would continue from Week 7 of the original draw. Auckland, Counties Manukau, Manawatu, North Harbour, Otago, and Southland would have byes due to covid restrictions.^[8] Therefore all rugby matches scheduled between the 20th and 29 August and 3rd to the 5th of September 2021 was postponed.^[9]^[10]

On 7 October 2021, it was later revealed the Auckland based teams, Auckland, Counties Manukau, and North Harbour would be withdrawn from the competition after being declined its third travel exemption application.^[11] A new draw was released for the remainding four weeks of the season. In addition non-competition matches were implemented so that teams that would have otherwise played Auckland region teams don't go two weeks without a match. These matches will not receive competition points.^[12]

Week 1

	6 August 2021	Manawatu	39–21	Counties Manukau	Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
	19:05 NZST	Try: Drew Wild 26' Brett Cameron 40' Ray Niuia 76' Con: Brett Cameron (3/3) 27', 40', 77' Pen: Brett Cameron (6/9) 7', 14', 33', 47', 53', 70'	Report	Try: Alamanda Motuga 45' Kalolo Tuiloma 80' Con: Jarrod Halliday (1/1) 46' Luteru Laulala (0/1) Pen: Jarrod Halliday (3/3) 4', 32', 37'	Referee: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

	7 August 2021	Taranaki	33–19	Hawke's Bay	Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
	14:05 NZST	Try: Bradley Slater 18', 51' Vereniki Tikoisolomone 80' Con: Stephen Perofeta (3/3) 19', 52', 80' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (4/5) 4', 10', 22', 26'	Report	Try: Lincoln McClutchie 31' Devan Flanders 40' Ash Dixon 68' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (1/2) 40' Tiaan Falcon (1/1) 69'	Referee: Jonathan Bredin (New Zealand)

	7 August 2021	Wellington	54–7	Northland	Sky Stadium, Wellington
	14:05 NZST	Try: Taine Plumtree 3', 5', 49' Peter Umaga-Jensen 35' Alex Fidow 38' Julian Savea 61' Bruce Kauika-Petersen 65' Brandyn Laursen 73' Con: Ruben Love (5/6) 4', 6', 36', 39', 50' Brandyn Laursen (2/2) 66', 74' Pen: Ruben Love (0/1)	Report	Try: Jordan Olsen 27' Con: Rivez Reihana (1/1) 28' Cards: Dan Hawkins 80'	Referee: Tipene Cottrell (New Zealand)

	7 August 2021	Otago	26–19	Southland	Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
	16:35 NZST	Try: Sam Gilbert 16' Freedom Vahaakolo 79' Con: Vilimoni Koroi (1/1) 17' Sam Gilbert (1/1) 80' Pen: Josh Ioane (1/1) 6' Vilimoni Koroi (3/3) 39', 62', 66'	Report	Try: Greg Pleasants-Tate 20' Con: Marty Banks (1/1) 21' Pen: Marty Banks (4/4) 40', 52', 56', 77'	Referee: Daniel Waenga (New Zealand)

	8 August 2021	Bay of Plenty	14–27	Tasman	Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
	14:05 NZST	Try: Luke Campbell 27' Sean Wainui 43' Con: Kaleb Trask (2/2) 28', 44' Pen: Kaleb Trask (0/1)	Report	Try: Tim O'Malley 39' Quentin MacDonald 47', 55' Con: Mitchell Hunt (3/3) 39', 48', 55' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (2/2) 18', 31'	Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

	8 August 2021	North Harbour	15–28	Waikato	QBE Stadium, Albany
	14:05 NZST	Try: Bryn Hall 10' Moses Leo 72' Con: Bryn Gatland (1/2) 73' Pen: Bryn Gatland (1/1) 8'	Report	Try: Mosese Dawai 35', 62' Sekope Lopeti-Moli 44' Mitch Jacobson 59' Con: Fletcher Smith (4/4) 37', 45', 60', 64' Pen: Fletcher Smith (0/1)	Referee: Nick Hogan (New Zealand)

	8 August 2021	Auckland	35–24	Canterbury	Eden Park, Auckland
	16:35 NZST	Try: AJ Lam 3', 23', 34' Harry Plummer 76' Con: Harry Plummer (3/4) 24', 36', 77' Pen: Harry Plummer (3/4) 11', 14', 61'	Report	Try: Manasa Mataele 43' Corey Kellow 48' Shilo Klein 72' Con: Fergus Burke (3/3) 44', 49', 73' Pen: Fergus Burke (1/1) 32'	Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

Week 2

	13 August 2021	Counties Manukau	6–14	North Harbour	Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
	19:05 NZST	Pen: Jarrod Halliday (2/3) 44', 68'	Report	Try: Shaun Stevenson 70' Con: Bryn Gatland (0/1) Pen: Bryn Gatland (3/3) 6', 24', 38'	Referee: Daniel Waenga (New Zealand)

	14 August 2021	Tasman	16–11	Auckland	Trafalgar Park, Nelson
	14:05 NZST	Try: Leicester Fainga'anuku 69' Con: Mitchell Hunt (1/1) 70' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (3/6) 25', 40', 58' Cards: Pari Pari Parkinson 80'	Report	Try: Salesi Rayasi 33' Con: Harry Plummer (0/1) Pen: Harry Plummer (2/3) 8', 31'	Referee: Jonathan Bredin (New Zealand)

	14 August 2021	Canterbury	25–22	Manawatu	Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
	14:05 NZST	Try: Chay Fihaki 6', 32' Shilo Klein 20' Mitchell Drummond 44' Con: Fergus Burke (1/4) 33' Pen: Fergus Burke (1/1) 56'	Report	Try: Logan Henry 4' Jarred Adams 68' Shamus Hurley-Langton 75' Con: Brett Cameron (2/3) 4', 69' Pen: Brett Cameron (1/1) 25'	Referee: Marcus Playle (New Zealand)

	14 August 2021	RS – Hawke's Bay	34–10	Otago	McLean Park, Napier
	16:35 NZST	Try: Neria Fomai 29' Lolagi Visinia 35' Stacey Ili 52' Josh Kaifa 65' Jonah Lowe 80' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (2/3) 30', 36' Tiaan Falcon (1/2) 80' Pen: Tiaan Falcon (1/1) 72'	Report	Try: Freedom Vahaakolo 19' Con: Vilimoni Koroi (1/1) 20' Pen: Vilimoni Koroi (1/2) 42'	Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

	15 August 2021	Waikato	43–37	Wellington	FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
	14:05 NZST	Try: Mosese Dawai 5' Jack Lam 49' Ollie Norris 55' Cortez-Lee Ratima 65' Liam Messam 68' Liam Coombes-Fabling 73' Con: Fletcher Smith (5/6) 50', 56', 66', 69', 74' Pen: Fletcher Smith (1/1) 11'	Report	Try: Pepesana Patafilo 18', 20' Du'Plessis Kirifi 26' Julian Savea 36' Peter Umaga-Jensen 39' Con: Ruben Love (3/5) 28', 38', 40' Pen: Ruben Love (1/3) 9' Brandyn Laursen (1/1) 60' Cards: Julian Savea 43' to 53'	Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

	15 August 2021	Southland	11–31	Bay of Plenty	Rugby Park, Invercargill
	14:05 NZST	Try: Charles Alaimalo 47' Con: Greg Dyer (0/1) Pen: Greg Dyer (0/1) Marty Banks (2/2) 60', 67' Cards: Charles Alaimalo 77'	Report	Try: Mitchell Karpik 22' Sean Wainui 56' Onisi Ratave 68' Nikora Broughton 78' Con: Kaleb Trask (4/4) 23', 57', 69', 79' Pen: Kaleb Trask (1/2) 39'	Referee: Michael Winter (New Zealand)

	15 August 2021	Northland	14–48	Taranaki	Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei
	16:35 NZST	Try: Leka Tu'ungafasi 10' Kaliopasi Uluilakepa 64' Con: Rivez Reihana (2/2) 11', 64' Pen: Rivez Reihana (0/1) Cards: Isi Manu 43'	Report	Try: Daniel Waite 36' Ricky Riccitelli 47' Kini Naholo 52', 70' Shaan Waite 60' Daniel Rona 72' Con: Stephen Perofeta (6/6) 36', 48', 54', 61', 71', 73' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (2/2) 33', 43'	Referee: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

Week 3

	17 September 2021	Waikato	19–20	Canterbury	FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
	19:05 NZST	Try: Samipeni Finau 40' Sam Cooper 68' Tepaea Cook-Savage 80' Con: Fletcher Smith (2/3) 40', 69' Pen: Fletcher Smith (0/1)	Report	Try: Waisake Naholo 15' Henry Stowers 50' Fergus Burke 73' Con: Fergus Burke (1/3) 51' Pen: Fergus Burke (1/1) 64'	Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

	18 September 2021	Taranaki	32–26	Wellington	TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood
	14:05 NZST	Try: Stephen Perofeta 5' Michael Bent 21' Jayson Potroz 27' Con: Stephen Perofeta (1/3) 28' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (5/6) 37', 43', 49', 59', 66' Cards: Teihorangi Walden 40' to 50'	Report	Try: Wes Goosen 9' Pepesana Patafilo 40' Sam Smith 70' Con: Aidan Morgan (0/2) Ruben Love (1/1) 71' Pen: Aidan Morgan (3/3) 4', 32', 53'	Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)

	18 September 2021	Northland	29–48	Tasman	Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei
	16:35 NZST	Try: Sam Nock 9' Scott Gregory 28' Kaliopasi Uluilakepa 40' Jordan Olsen 49' Raikabula Momoedonu 76' Con: Rivez Reihana (1/4) 50' Johnny Cooper (1/1) 77' Pen: Rivez Reihana (0/1)	Report	Try: Jacob Norris 15' Leicester Fainga'anuku 23', 60' Mitchell Hunt 25' Mark Telea 32', 69' Timoci Tavatavanawai 63' Shannon Frizell 80' Con: Mitchell Hunt (4/8) 24', 33', 69', 80'	Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

	19 September 2021	RS – Hawke's Bay	36–33 (a.e.t.)	Bay of Plenty	McLean Park, Napier
	14:05 NZST	Try: Ash Dixon 14' Solomone Funaki 21' Pouri Rakete-Stones 31' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (3/3) 15', 22', 32' Pen: Lincoln McClutchie (3/3) 29', 37', 63' Tiaan Falcon (2/2) 80', 84'	Report	Try: Emoni Narawa 5' Luke Campbell 18' Onisi Ratave 25', 77' Sean Wainui 59' Con: Kaleb Trask (2/3) 19', 26' Otere Black (2/2) 60', 78' Pen: Kaleb Trask (0/1)	Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

Bye/s: Auckland, Counties Manukau, Manawatu, North Harbour, Otago, and Southland

Week 4

	24 September 2021	Tasman	22–39	Waikato	Trafalgar Park, Nelson
	19:05 NZST	Try: Leicester Fainga'anuku 52' Shannon Frizell 67' Andrew Makalio 72' Con: Mitchell Hunt (2/3) 52', 68' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (1/2) 3'	Report	Try: Matthew Lansdown 24' Liam Coombes-Fabling 27', 77' Gideon Wrampling 42' Cortez-Lee Ratima 55' Con: Fletcher Smith (4/5) 25', 43', 56', 79' Pen: Fletcher Smith (2/2) 14', 63' Cards: Steven Misa 31' to 41' Hamilton Burr 66' to 76'	Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

	25 September 2021	Manawatu	31–19	Northland	Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
	14:05 NZST	Try: Ed Fidow 21' Brayden Iose 27' Taniela Filimone 73' Con: Brett Cameron (2/3) 22', 28' Pen: Brett Cameron (4/5) 13', 16', 50', 57'	Report	Try: Jone Macilai-Tori 60' Jonah Mau'u 64' Kaliopasi Uluilakepa 80' Con: Rivez Reihana (0/1) Johnny Cooper (2/2) 66', 80' Cards: Noah Cooper 15' to 25'	Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

	25 September 2021	Southland	16–19 (a.e.t.)	Canterbury	Rugby Park, Invercargill
	16:05 NZST	Try: Josh Moorby 14' Con: Marty Banks (1/1) 16' Pen: Marty Banks (3/5) 32', 61', 71' Cards: Chris Apoua 52' to 62'	Report	Try: Luke Romano 54' Con: Fergus Burke (1/1) 55' Pen: Fergus Burke (4/4) 7', 20', 22', 85' Jack Debreczeni (0/1)	Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)

	26 September 2021	Wellington	28–31	Hawke's Bay	Sky Stadium, Wellington
	14:05 NZST	Try: Vince Aso 67' Tyrone Thompson 78', 80' Con: Ruben Love (2/3) 79', 80' Pen: Aidan Morgan (3/3) 35', 42', 47'	Report	Try: Ash Dixon 10' Jonah Lowe 21' Lolagi Visinia 37' Solomone Funaki 71' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (3/3) 11', 22', 38' Tiaan Falcon (1/1) 72' Pen: Lincoln McClutchie (1/1) 3'	Referee: Stuart Curran (New Zealand)

	26 September 2021	Bay of Plenty	28–55	Taranaki	Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
	16:35 NZST	Try: Aidan Ross 26' Sekuini Tanimo 63' Viliami Tosi 71' Chase Tiatia 74' Con: Otere Black (4/4) 27', 64', 72', 75'	Report	Try: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 18', 32' Logan Crowley 40' Kini Naholo 53' Vereniki Tikoisolomone 59', 80' Liam Blyde 65' Con: Stephen Perofeta (7/7) 19', 33', 40', 54', 60', 66', 80' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (2/2) 5', 58'	Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

Bye/s: Auckland, Counties Manukau, North Harbour, and Otago

Week 5

	1 October 2021	Northland	38–28	Waikato	Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei
	19:05 NZST	Try: Jone Macilai-Tori 16' Kara Pryor 23' Sam Nock 38' Blake Hohaia 46' Sam McNamara 79' Con: Dan Hawkins (5/5) 18', 25', 39', 48', 80' Pen: Dan Hawkins (1/2) 40'	Report	Try: Liam Coombes-Fabling 8', 53', 73' Mitch Jacobson 43' Con: Fletcher Smith (4/4) 10', 44', 54', 75' Cards: D'Angelo Leuila 70'	Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

	2 October 2021	Bay of Plenty	33–32	Wellington	Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
	14:05 NZST	Try: Alefosio Tapili 16' Justin Sangster 35' Leroy Carter 48' Viliami Tosi 61' Emoni Narawa 80' Con: Otere Black (3/4) 17', 36', 80' Luke Campbell (1/1) 62'	Report	Try: James O'Reilly 19' Tomasi Alosio 40' Aidan Morgan 45' Sam Smith 66' Tyrone Thompson 71' Richard Judd 75' Con: Ruben Love (1/4) 40' Aidan Morgan (0/2)	Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

	2 October 2021	Manawatu	27–14	Otago	Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
	16:35 NZST	Try: Tima Fainga'anuku 9' Josiah Maraku 17' Jarred Adams 42' Con: Brett Cameron (3/3) 10', 18', 43' Pen: Brett Cameron (2/4) 30', 57' Cards: Flyn Yates 65' to 75'	Report	Try: Dylan Nel 26' James Lentjes 66' Con: Josh Ioane (2/2) 27', 67'	Referee: Tipene Cottrell (New Zealand)

	3 October 2021	Tasman	51–14	Southland	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
	14:05 NZST	Try: Timoci Tavatavanawai 2', 8' Macca Springer 11' Leicester Fainga'anuku 22', 61' Levi Aumua 34' Regan Ware 72' Con: Mitchell Hunt (5/6) 9', 12', 23', 35', 63' William Havili (0/1) Pen: Mitchell Hunt (2/2) 27', 32'	Report	Try: Marty Banks 29' Solomon Alaimalo 43' Con: Marty Banks (2/2) 30', 44'	Referee: Jonathan Bredin (New Zealand)

Bye/s: Auckland, Canterbury, Counties Manukau, Hawke's Bay, North Harbour, and Taranaki

Week 6

	8 October 2021	Wellington	35–30 (a.e.t.)	Canterbury	Sky Stadium, Wellington
	19:05 NZST	Try: Peter Umaga-Jensen 2', 82' Du'Plessis Kirifi 13' Alex Fidow 80' Con: Ruben Love (3/3) 3', 14', 80' Pen: Ruben Love (3/3) 7', 40', 48' Cards: Alex Fidow 50' to 60'	Report	Try: Manasa Mataele 23', 51' Josh McKay 36' Chay Fihaki 58' Con: Fergus Burke (2/4) 37', 53' Pen: Fergus Burke (2/2) 16', 73' Cards: Luke Romano 80'	Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

	9 October 2021	RS – Hawke's Bay	34–22	Tasman	McLean Park, Napier
	16:35 NZST	Try: Ere Enari 4' Brendon O'Connor 14' Lolagi Visinia 17' Stacey Ili 29' Neria Fomai 56' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (3/5) 15', 30', 58' Pen: Lincoln McClutchie (0/1) Tiaan Falcon (1/1) 79'	Report	Try: Shannon Frizell 34' Con: Mitchell Hunt (1/1) 35' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (5/5) 11', 21', 28', 40', 53'	Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)

	9 October 2021	Otago	23–30	Taranaki	Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
	19:05 NZST	Try: Sio Tomkinson 39' Dylan Nel 62' Con: Josh Ioane (2/2) 40', 63' Pen: Josh Ioane (3/4) 15', 29', 70' Cards: Sam Fischli 48' to 58'	Report	Try: Teihorangi Walden 31' Pita Gus Sowakula 57' Liam Blyde 72' Con: Stephen Perofeta (3/3) 32', 58', 73' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (3/3) 4', 11', 67'	Referee: Daniel Waenga (New Zealand)

	10 October 2021	Southland	27–38	Manawatu	Rugby Park, Invercargill
	14:05 NZST	Try: Tony Lamborn 22' Solomon Alaimalo 34' Matt Whaanga 50' Con: Marty Banks (3/3) 23', 35', 51' Pen: Marty Banks (2/3) 5', 7'	Report	Try: Brett Cameron 40' Ed Fidow 46', 56' Liam Mitchell 74' Con: Brett Cameron (3/4) 40', 47', 57' Pen: Brett Cameron (4/5) 18', 29', 66', 79'	Referee: Jonathan Bredin (New Zealand)

Bye/s: Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, North Harbour, Northland, and Waikato

Week 7

	15 October 2021	Northland	13–24	Otago	Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
	19:05 NZST	Try: Sam Nock 15' Jone Macilai-Tori 37' Con: Dan Hawkins (0/2) Pen: Dan Hawkins (1/2) 51'	Report	Try: Sio Tomkinson 2', 74' James Lentjes 6' Con: Josh Ioane (3/3) 3', 7', 76' Pen: Josh Ioane (1/1) 10' Cards: Will Tucker 66' to 76'	Referee: Michael Winter (New Zealand)

	16 October 2021	Waikato	26–33	Taranaki	Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
	14:05 NZST	Try: Mosese Dawai 15' James Tucker 18' Beaudein Waaka 52' D'Angelo Leuila 68' Con: Fletcher Smith (3/4) 19', 53', 69' Pen: Fletcher Smith (0/1) Cards: Cortez-Lee Ratima 75'	Report	Try: Daniel Waite 58' Kini Naholo 63' Con: Stephen Perofeta (1/2) 64' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (7/7) 3', 5', 8', 18', 27', 74', 78'	Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

	16 October 2021	Canterbury	26–45	Hawke's Bay	Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
	16:35 NZST	Try: Rameka Poihipi 29' Manasa Mataele 55' Luke Donaldson 57' Mitchell Gibson 70' Con: Fergus Burke (1/1) 30' Jack Debreczeni (2/3) 58', 70'	Report	Try: Geoff Cridge 21' Stacey Ili 26' Lincoln McClutchie 32' Danny Toala 35' Josh Kaifa 40' Jacob Devery 43' Jonah Lowe 72' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (4/6) 23', 33', 36', 40' Tiaan Falcon (1/1) 73' Pen: Tiaan Falcon (0/1) Cards: Joe Apikotoa 59' to 69'	Referee: Stuart Curran (New Zealand)

	16 October 2021	Manawatu	16–36	Wellington	Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
	19:05 NZST	Try: Ray Niuia 43' Con: Brett Cameron (1/1) 44' Pen: Brett Cameron (3/3) 6', 30', 56'	Report	Try: Peter Umaga-Jensen 2' Du'Plessis Kirifi 10' James O'Reilly 48' Alex Fidow 51' Ruben Love 77' Con: Ruben Love (4/5) 4', 49', 53', 79' Pen: Ruben Love (1/1) 61'	Referee: Nick Hogan (New Zealand)

Bye/s: Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, North Harbour, Southland, and Tasman

Week 8

	22 October 2021	Otago	22–20	Canterbury	Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
	19:05 NZST	Try: Freedom Vahaakolo 36' Con: Josh Ioane (1/1) 38' Pen: Josh Ioane (5/7) 40', 59', 63', 70', 77'	Report	Try: Sam Dickson 20' Fergus Burke 29' Con: Fergus Burke (2/2) 21', 31' Pen: Fergus Burke (1/1) 27' Alex Harford (1/1) 73'	Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)

	23 October 2021	Taranaki	47–35	Manawatu	TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood
	14:05 NZST	Try: Penalty try 31' Liam Blyde 32', 39' Stephen Perofeta 53' Vereniki Tikoisolomone 72' Josh Jacomb 76' Con: Stephen Perofeta (3/5) 40', 54', 78' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (3/5) 14', 22', 69'	Report	Try: Josiah Maraku 6' Tima Fainga'anuku 46' Ed Fidow 60' Griffin Culver 63' Drew Wild 80' Con: Stewart Cruden (5/5) 7', 47', 61', 64', 80'	Referee: Daniel Waenga (New Zealand)

	23 October 2021	RS – Hawke's Bay	41–14	Waikato	McLean Park, Napier
	19:05 NZST	Try: Jacob Devery 2' Danny Toala 22' Neria Fomai 62', 77' Tom Parsons 69' Ollie Sapsford 73' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (4/5) 23', 62', 70', 74' Caleb Makene (0/1) Pen: Lincoln McClutchie (1/1) 54' Cards: Danny Toala 80'	Report	Try: Steven Misa 16' Liam Coombes-Fabling 28' Con: D'Angelo Leuila (2/2) 17', 29' Pen: D'Angelo Leuila (0/1) Cards: James Tucker 71'	Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

Bye/s: Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, North Harbour, Northland, Southland, Tasman, and Wellington

Week 9

	29 October 2021	Canterbury	24–20	Tasman	Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
	19:05 NZST	Try: Fergus Burke 6' Luke Romano 61' Dallas McLeod 75' Con: Fergus Burke (3/3) 7', 62', 76' Pen: Fergus Burke (1/1) 66'	Report	Try: Quentin MacDonald 51' Con: Mitchell Hunt (0/1) Pen: Mitchell Hunt (5/5) 10', 32', 40', 46', 57' Cards: Leicester Fainga'anuku 8' to 18' Sam Matenga 13' to 23'	Referee: Tipene Cottrell (New Zealand)

	30 October 2021	Southland	37–33	Northland	Rugby Park, Invercargill
	14:05 NZST	Try: Josh Moorby 25' Solomon Alaimalo 30' Matthew James 48' Greg Pleasants-Tate 57' Con: Marty Banks (4/4) 26', 32', 49', 58' Pen: Marty Banks (3/3) 14', 22', 38'	Report	Try: Pisi Leilua 5' Dan Hawkins 19' Rene Ranger 65' Jone Macilai-Tori 80' Con: Dan Hawkins (2/4) 21', 65' Pen: Dan Hawkins (3/3) 3', 40', 45'	Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand

	30 October 2021	Bay of Plenty	33–37	Waikato	Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
	16:35 NZST	Try: Lucas Cashmore 25' Nathan Harris 35' Joe Webber 45' Leroy Carter 51' Emoni Narawa 80' Con: Lucas Cashmore (4/5) 26', 37', 47', 80' Cards: Leroy Carter 40' to 50'	Report	Try: Cortez-Lee Ratima 8', 42' Mosese Dawai 40' Rupeni Tamani 70' Con: D'Angelo Leuila (4/4) 9', 40', 43', 71' Pen: D'Angelo Leuila (3/3) 7', 33', 74' Cards: Hamilton Burr 57' to 67'	Referee: Stuart Curran (New Zealand)

	30 October 2021	Manawatu	31–40	Hawke's Bay	Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
	19:05 NZST	Try: Shamus Hurley-Langton 17' Liam Mitchell 36' Nehe Milner-Skudder 46', 80' Con: Brett Cameron (3/3) 19', 37', 47' Stewart Cruden (1/1) 80' Pen: Brett Cameron (1/1) 31'	Report	Try: Ollie Sapsford 24', 34', 50' Pouri Rakete-Stones 60' Kienan Higgins 66', 71' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (1/2) 25' Caleb Makene (4/4) 51', 61', 67', 72'	Referee: Daniel Waenga (New Zealand)

Bye/s: Auckland, Counties Manukau, North Harbour, Otago, Taranaki, and Wellington

Week 10

	3 November 2021	Bay of Plenty	22–14	Northland	Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
	19:05 NZST	Try: Peni Lasaqa 4', 24' Manaaki Selby-Rickit 59' Nathan Harris 64' Con: Lucas Cashmore (1/4) 65' Cards: Cassius Misa 48' to 58' Viliami Tosi 79'	Report	Try: Blake Hohaia 36' Justin Davies 80' Con: Rivez Reihana (1/1) 37' Dan Hawkins (1/1) 80' Cards: Blake Hohaia 22' to 32'	Referee: Tipene Cottrell (New Zealand)

	5 November 2021	Waikato	27–25	Otago	Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
	19:05 NZST	Try: James Thompson 40' Ryan Tongia 55' James Tucker 71' Con: D'Angelo Leuila (3/3) 40', 56', 72' Pen: D'Angelo Leuila (2/2) 29', 36'	Report	Try: Freedom Vahaakolo 14', 47' Matt Faddes 63' Con: Josh Ioane (2/3) 48', 65' Pen: Josh Ioane (2/3) 33', 38' Cards: Sam Fischli 28'	Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

	6 November 2021	Tasman	34–22	Wellington	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
	14:05 NZST	Try: Quentin MacDonald 7' Jacob Norris 13' Leicester Fainga'anuku 17' Levi Aumua 25' Anton Segner 80' Con: Mitchell Hunt (3/5) 18', 26', 80' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (1/1) 39'	Report	Try: Taine Plumtree 28' Jackson Garden-Bachop 45' Tyrone Thompson 74' Con: Aidan Morgan (2/3) 30', 46' Pen: Aidan Morgan (1/1) 53'	Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

	6 November 2021	Canterbury	40–28	Bay of Plenty	Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
	16:35 NZST	Try: Chay Fihaki 3' Dallas McLeod 7', 27' Waisake Naholo 37', 51' Con: Fergus Burke (3/5) 4', 7', 52' Pen: Fergus Burke (2/4) 59', 80' Chay Fihaki (1/1) 72'	Report	Try: Leroy Carter 10' Veveni Lasaqa 20' Lucas Cashmore 48' Con: Lucas Cashmore (2/3) 11', 49' Pen: Lucas Cashmore (3/3) 15', 26', 30'	Referee: Jonathan Bredin (New Zealand)

	7 November 2021	Taranaki	24–10	Southland	TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood
	14:05 NZST	Try: Kini Naholo 28' Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 53' Vereniki Tikoisolomone 59' Con: Stephen Perofeta (3/3) 30', 55', 60' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (1/1) 40'	Report	Try: Charles Alaimalo 6' Con: Greg Dyer (1/1) 7' Pen: Greg Dyer (1/1) 18'	Referee: Stuart Curran (New Zealand)

Bye/s: Auckland, Counties Manukau, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, and North Harbour

Play-offs

Semi-finals

12 November 2021
19:05 NZST

Manawatu	16–44	Otago
Try: Brayden Iose 63' Josiah Maraku 79' Con: Drew Wild (0/2) Pen: Stewart Cruden (2/3) 26', 44'	Report	Try: Josh Hill 38' Sam Gilbert 46' Vilimoni Koroi 52' Freedom Vahaakolo 67', 74' Con: Josh Ioane (4/4) 40', 47', 53', 68' Cameron Millar (1/1) 75' Pen: Josh Ioane (3/4) 10', 18', 61'

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
Referee: Nick Hogan (New Zealand)

13 November 2021
14:05 NZST

Taranaki	25–13	Southland
Try: Tom Florence 4' Logan Crowley 10' Con: Stephen Perofeta (0/2) Pen: Stephen Perofeta (5/6) 18', 27', 54', 70', 75'	Report	Try: Rory van Vugt 49' Con: Marty Banks (1/1) 50' Pen: Marty Banks (2/3) 15', 22' Cards: Isaac Te Tamaki 80'

TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood
Referee: Jonathan Bredin (New Zealand)

13 November 2021
16:35 NZST

Hawke's Bay	27–33	Tasman
Try: Jonah Lowe 12' Tom Parsons 20' Marino Mikaele-Tu'u 40' Geoff Cridge 50' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (2/4) 22', 52' Pen: Lincoln McClutchie (1/1) 65'	Report	Try: Andrew Makalio 9' Andrew Knewstubb 23' Timoci Tavatavanawai 28' Leicester Fainga'anuku 69' Con: Mitchell Hunt (2/4) 8', 25' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (3/3) 4', 17', 75'

McLean Park, Napier
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

13 November 2021
19:05 NZST

Waikato	17–14	Canterbury
Try: Rhys Marshall 28' Bailyn Sullivan 38' Con: D'Angelo Leuila (2/2) 29', 39' Pen: D'Angelo Leuila (1/2) 54'	Report	Try: Corey Kellow 45' Con: Fergus Burke (0/1) Pen: Chay Fihaki (0/1) Fergus Burke (3/3) 25', 59', 65'

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Referee: Daniel Waenga (New Zealand)

Finals

20 November 2021
14:05 NZST

Taranaki	32–19	Otago
Try: Jared Proffit 4' Daniel Waite 19' Mickey Woolliams 39' Kini Naholo 43' Con: Stephen Perofeta (3/4) 5', 20', 45' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (2/4) 32', 47' Jayson Potroz (0/1) Cards: Jayson Potroz 51' to 61'	Report	Try: Josh Hill 6' Vilimoni Koroi 33' Josh Ioane 54' Con: Josh Ioane (2/3) 7', 55'

TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood
Referee: Stuart Curran (New Zealand)

20 November 2021
19:05 NZST

Waikato	23–20	Tasman
Try: Bailyn Sullivan 33', 48' Con: D'Angelo Leuila (2/2) 33', 50' Pen: D'Angelo Leuila (2/3) 9', 40' Fletcher Smith (1/1) 72'	Report	Try: Regan Ware 27' Quinten Strange 67' Con: Mitchell Hunt (2/2) 28', 68' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (2/3) 38', 46'

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)


FB	15	Ryan Tongia
RW	14	Liam Coombes-Fabling
OC	13	Bailyn Sullivan
IC	12	Gideon Wrampling
LW	11	Mosese Dawai	51'
FH	10	D'Angelo Leuila	58'
SH	9	Cortez-Lee Ratima	72'
N8	8	Jack Lam	80'
OF	7	Mitch Jacobson
BF	6	Samipeni Finau
RL	5	Hamilton Burr	67'
LL	4	James Tucker
TP	3	George Dyer	41'	51'	61'
HK	2	Rhys Marshall	61'
LP	1	Ayden Johnstone (c)	53'
Replacements:
HK	16	Steven Misa	61'
PR	17	Ollie Norris	53'
PR	18	Sefo Kautai	41'	51'	61'
LK	19	Rupeni Tamani	80'
FL	20	Liam Messam	67'
SH	21	Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi	72'
FH	22	Fletcher Smith	58'
FB	23	Beaudein Waaka	51'


FB	15	Andrew Knewstubb
RW	14	Timoci Tavatavanawai	65'
OC	13	Leicester Fainga'anuku
IC	12	Alex Nankivell
LW	11	Regan Ware	78'
FH	10	Mitchell Hunt
SH	9	Louie Chapman	78'
N8	8	Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta	65'
OF	7	Anton Segner
BF	6	Jacob Norris
RL	5	Quinten Strange (c)
LL	4	Antonio Shalfoon	65'
TP	3	Sam Matenga	56'
HK	2	Andrew Makalio	52'
LP	1	Isi Tu'ungafasi	51'
Replacements:
HK	16	Quentin MacDonald	52'
PR	17	Luca Inch	51'
PR	18	Isaac Salmon	56'
LK	19	Max Hicks	65'
FL	20	Hugh Renton	65'
SH	21	Noah Hotham	78'
WG	22	Macca Springer	78'
CE	23	Levi Aumua	65'

Statistics

Leading point scorers

No.	Player	Team	Points	Average	Details
1	Stephen Perofeta	Taranaki	172	17.20	2 T, 30 C, 34 P, 0 D
2	Mitchell Hunt	Tasman	123	12.30	1 T, 23 C, 24 P, 0 D
3	Brett Cameron	Manawatu	107	15.29	2 T, 17 C, 21 P, 0 D
4	Fergus Burke	Canterbury	97	9.70	3 T, 17 C, 16 P, 0 D
5	Josh Ioane	Otago	82	10.25	1 T, 16 C, 15 P, 0 D
6	Marty Banks	Southland	77	9.63	1 T, 12 C, 16 P, 0 D
7	Lincoln McClutchie	Hawke's Bay	77	8.56	2 T, 23 C, 7 P, 0 D
8	Ruben Love	Wellington	58	7.25	1 T, 19 C, 5 P, 0 D
9	Fletcher Smith	Waikato	56	5.60	0 T, 22 C, 4 P, 0 D
10	D'Angelo Leuila	Waikato	55	5.00	1 T, 13 C, 8 P, 0 D

Source: The weekly reviews of the matches published on provincial.rugby (see "Report" in the individual match scoring stats).

Leading try scorers

No.	Player	Team	Tries	Average
1	Leicester Fainga'anuku	Tasman	8	0.80
2	Freedom Vahaakolo	Otago	7	0.78
3	Liam Coombes-Fabling	Waikato	7	0.64
4	Kini Naholo	Taranaki	6	0.67
5	Peter Umaga-Jensen	Wellington	5	0.63
6	Mosese Dawai	Waikato	5	0.50
7	Vereniki Tikoisolomone	Taranaki	5	0.50
8	Taine Plumtree	Wellington	4	0.67
9	Tyrone Thompson	Wellington	4	0.67
10	Jone Macilai-Tori	Northland	4	0.57

Source: The weekly reviews of the matches published on provincial.rugby (see "Report" in the individual match scoring stats).

Points by week

Team	1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		Total		Average
Auckland	35	24	11	16	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	46	40	23.00	20.00
Bay of Plenty	14	27	31	11	33	36	28	55	33	32	0	0	0	0	0	0	33	37	50	54	222	252	27.75	31.50
Canterbury	24	35	25	22	20	19	19	16	0	0	30	35	26	45	20	22	24	20	40	28	228	242	25.33	26.89
Counties Manukau	21	39	6	14	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	27	53	13.50	26.50
Hawke's Bay	19	33	34	10	36	33	31	28	0	0	34	22	45	26	41	14	40	31	0	0	280	197	35.00	24.63
Manawatu	39	21	22	25	0	0	31	19	27	14	38	27	16	36	35	47	31	40	0	0	239	229	29.88	28.63
North Harbour	15	28	14	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	29	34	14.50	17.00
Northland	7	54	14	48	29	48	19	31	38	28	0	0	13	24	0	0	33	37	14	22	167	292	20.88	36.50
Otago	26	19	10	34	0	0	0	0	14	27	23	30	24	13	22	20	0	0	25	27	144	170	20.57	24.29
Southland	19	26	11	31	0	0	16	19	14	51	27	38	0	0	0	0	37	33	10	24	134	222	19.14	31.71
Taranaki	33	19	48	14	32	26	55	28	0	0	30	23	33	26	47	35	0	0	24	10	302	181	37.75	22.63
Tasman	27	14	16	11	48	29	22	39	51	14	22	34	0	0	0	0	20	24	34	22	240	187	30.00	23.38
Waikato	28	15	43	37	19	20	39	22	28	38	0	0	26	33	14	41	37	33	27	25	261	264	29.00	29.33
Wellington	54	7	37	43	26	32	28	31	32	33	35	30	36	16	0	0	0	0	22	34	270	226	33.75	28.25

Source: Bunnings NPC Fixtures and Results 2021^[13]

Tries by week

Team	1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		Total		Average
Auckland	4	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	4	2.50	2.00
Bay of Plenty	2	3	4	1	5	3	4	7	5	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	4	7	7	32	31	4.00	3.88
Canterbury	3	4	4	3	3	3	1	1	0	0	4	4	4	7	2	1	3	1	5	3	29	27	3.22	3.00
Counties Manukau	2	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	4	1.00	2.00
Hawke's Bay	3	3	5	1	3	5	4	3	0	0	5	1	7	4	6	2	6	4	0	0	39	23	4.88	2.88
Manawatu	3	2	3	4	0	0	3	3	3	2	4	3	1	5	5	6	4	6	0	0	26	31	3.25	3.88
North Harbour	2	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	4	1.50	2.00
Northland	1	8	2	6	5	8	3	3	5	4	0	0	2	3	0	0	4	4	2	4	24	40	3.00	5.00
Otago	2	1	1	5	0	0	0	0	2	3	2	3	3	2	1	2	0	0	3	3	14	19	2.00	2.71
Southland	1	2	1	4	0	0	1	1	2	7	3	4	0	0	0	0	4	4	1	3	13	25	1.86	3.57
Taranaki	3	3	6	2	3	3	7	4	0	0	3	2	2	4	6	5	0	0	3	1	33	24	4.13	3.00
Tasman	3	2	1	1	8	5	3	5	7	2	1	5	0	0	0	0	1	3	5	3	29	26	3.63	3.25
Waikato	4	2	6	5	3	3	5	3	4	5	0	0	4	2	2	6	4	5	3	3	35	34	3.89	3.78
Wellington	8	1	5	6	3	3	3	4	6	5	4	4	5	1	0	0	0	0	3	5	37	29	4.63	3.63

For	Against

Source: The weekly reviews of the matches published on provincial.rugby (see "Report" in the individual match scoring stats).

Sanctions

Player	Team	Red	Yellow	Sent off match(es):
Sam Fischli	Otago	1	1	vs. Taranaki and Waikato
Dan Hawkins	Northland	1	0	vs. Wellington
Isi Manu	Northland	1	0	vs. Taranaki
Hamilton Burr	Waikato	0	2	vs. Tasman and Bay of Plenty
Pari Pari Parkinson	Tasman	0	1	vs. Auckland
Julian Savea	Wellington	0	1	vs. Waikato
Charles Alaimalo	Southland	0	1	vs. Bay of Plenty
Teihorangi Walden	Taranaki	0	1	vs. Wellington
Steven Misa	Waikato	0	1	vs. Tasman
Noah Cooper	Northland	0	1	vs. Manawatu
Chris Apoua	Southland	0	1	vs. Canterbury
D'Angelo Leuila	Waikato	0	1	vs. Northland
Flyn Yates	Manawatu	0	1	vs. Otago
Alex Fidow	Wellington	0	1	vs. Canterbury
Luke Romano	Canterbury	0	1	vs. Wellington
Will Tucker	Otago	0	1	vs. Northland
Cortez-Lee Ratima	Waikato	0	1	vs. Taranaki
Joe Apikotoa	Hawke's Bay	0	1	vs. Canterbury
James Tucker	Waikato	0	1	vs. Hawke's Bay
Danny Toala	Hawke's Bay	0	1	vs. Waikato
Leicester Fainga'anuku	Tasman	0	1	vs. Canterbury
Sam Matenga	Tasman	0	1	vs. Canterbury
Leroy Carter	Bay of Plenty	0	1	vs. Waikato
Cassius Misa	Bay of Plenty	0	1	vs. Northland
Viliami Tosi	Bay of Plenty	0	1	vs. Northland
Blake Hohaia	Northland	0	1	vs. Bay of Plenty
Isaac Te Tamaki	Southland	0	1	vs. Taranaki
Jayson Potroz	Taranaki	0	1	vs. Otago

Ranfurly Shield

Pre-season challenges

For the 2021 pre-season, Hawke's Bay accepted Ranfurly Shield challenges from North Otago and Ngāti Porou East Coast.^[14] In their first defence on June 30, Hawke's Bay defeated North Otago 85–0 in Napier. The side scored thirteen tries to none. It began with a try to Kienan Higgins on debut from a turnover after four minutes. North Otago then conceded a penalty try and lost lock Manulua Taiti to a yellow card. Hawke’s Bay added a further two tries from Jason Long to lead twenty-eight points to nil after the first quarter. Another two tries in the last eight minutes gave Hawke's Bay a forty-two point lead at halftime. Hawke's Bay also gave a debut to All Black family member Sir Brian Lochore's grandson, Frank Lochore.^[15]

In Hawke's Bay's second defence of the year they scored fifteen tries to win 93–5 against Ngāti Porou East Coast. Hawke's Bay number 8 Gareth Evans opened the scoring off due to lineout maul five minutes into the first half. Hawke's Bay had their second try through Josh Kaifa after some good runs from Anzelo Tuitavuki and Dennon Robinson-Bartlett on either wing, then fullback Danny Toala crossed over to make it seventeen points to nil inside fifteen minutes. Kaifa, Toala, Tuitavuki, Lincoln McClutchie and replacement prop Pouri Rakete-Stones all crossed for doubles, with McClutchie kicking nine conversions in a personal tally of twenty-eight points. Ngāti Porou East Coast were coached by former New Zealand international Hosea Gear and scored their only try to hooker Jorian Tangaere in the thirtieth minute.^[16]

30 June 2021
19:05 NZST

Hawke's Bay	85–0	North Otago
Try: Kienan Higgins 4' Penalty try 10' Jason Long 18', 22' Lolagi Visinia 32', 52' Tom Parsons 40' Jacob Devery 43' Anzelo Tuitavuki 46' Josh Kaifa 58', 77' Danny Toala 68' Namatahi Waa 72' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (9/11) 5', 19', 23', 33', 40', 44', 47', 73', 77' Danny Toala (0/1)	Preview Report

McLean Park, Napier
Referee: Michael Winter (New Zealand)

24 July 2021
15:00 NZST

Hawke's Bay	93–5	Ngāti Porou East Coast
Try: Gareth Evans 5' Josh Kaifa 10', 41' Danny Toala 14', 51' Anzelo Tuitavuki 21', 46' Kianu Kereru-Symes 26' Dennon Robinson-Bartlett 34' Namatahi Waa 39' Lincoln McClutchie 57', 72' Pouri Rakete-Stones 62', 74' Elijah Martin 64' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (9/15) 6', 22', 40', 47', 58', 63', 65', 73', 75'	Preview Report	Try: Jorian Tangaere 30' Con: Te Rangi Fraser (0/1)

McLean Park, Napier
Referee: Stuart Curran (New Zealand)

References

^ "Adjustment to Mitre 10 Heartland Championship bonus points system". Rugby Heartland. 2 September 2016.
^ "New Zealand Rugby Union Competition Regulations Handbook 2016" (PDF). New Zealand Rugby. Archived from the original (pdf) on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
^ "2010 ITM Cup Competition Structures". Manawatu Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
^ "ITM Cup Finals schedule". All Blacks. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
^ "Historical Standings". New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
^ "Action-Packed Rugby Schedule Ahead With 2021 Domestic Rugby Draws Announced Today". 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
^ "All rugby in New Zealand this weekend cancelled or postponed". New Zealand Rugby. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
^ "Domestic and Community Rugby to Resume Outside of Auckland". 7 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
^ "All rugby postponed or cancelled this weekend, following latest Covid update". New Zealand Rugby. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
^ "Domestic and community rugby to remain on hold". New Zealand Rugby. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
^ "Bunnings Warehouse NPC to continue without Auckland based teams". Bunnings NPC. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
^ "Bunnings Warehouse NPC draw confirmed for rest of the season". Bunnings NPC. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
^ "Historical Fixtures and Results". New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
^ "East Coast earn pre-season Shield challenge against Magpies in Napier". Hawke's Bay Today. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
^ "Old Golds game, but outclassed". Otago Daily News. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
^ "Ranfurly Shield: Hawke's Bay rack up 90 in fifth defence, against East Coast". Stuff. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.

External links

Official website

[1] "Adjustment to Mitre 10 Heartland Championship bonus points system". Rugby Heartland. 2 September 2016.

[2] "New Zealand Rugby Union Competition Regulations Handbook 2016" (PDF). New Zealand Rugby. Archived from the original (pdf) on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2017.

[3] "2010 ITM Cup Competition Structures". Manawatu Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2010.

[ITM_Cup_Finals_schedule-4] "ITM Cup Finals schedule". All Blacks. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2012.

[5] "Historical Standings". New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 1 October 2022.

[6] "Action-Packed Rugby Schedule Ahead With 2021 Domestic Rugby Draws Announced Today". 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.

[7] "All rugby in New Zealand this weekend cancelled or postponed". New Zealand Rugby. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

[8] "Domestic and Community Rugby to Resume Outside of Auckland". 7 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.

[9] "All rugby postponed or cancelled this weekend, following latest Covid update". New Zealand Rugby. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.

[10] "Domestic and community rugby to remain on hold". New Zealand Rugby. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.

[11] "Bunnings Warehouse NPC to continue without Auckland based teams". Bunnings NPC. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.

[12] "Bunnings Warehouse NPC draw confirmed for rest of the season". Bunnings NPC. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.

[13] "Historical Fixtures and Results". New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 1 October 2022.

[East_Coast_earn_pre-season_Shield_challenge_against_Magpies_in_Napier-14] "East Coast earn pre-season Shield challenge against Magpies in Napier". Hawke's Bay Today. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.

[15] "Old Golds game, but outclassed". Otago Daily News. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.

[16] "Ranfurly Shield: Hawke's Bay rack up 90 in fifth defence, against East Coast". Stuff. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.

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