{"id":31100,"date":"2026-07-31T09:37:32","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T21:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/?p=31100"},"modified":"2026-07-31T09:37:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T21:37:33","slug":"new-zealand-npc-tips-preview-round-1-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/2026\/07\/new-zealand-npc-tips-preview-round-1-3\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand NPC Tips & Preview | Round 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Waikato<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Bay of Plenty<\/div>\n
Thursday, 7:10pm | FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton<\/div>\n
Bay of Plenty -2.5 ($1.95)<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Waikato were never able to really get going in 2025 and they will be expecting more in 2026. Finishing with a 6-4 record before being bundled out in the quarterfinals by Otago, it was a mediocre showing from the Mooloos and they’re largely running it back with the same squad. Veteran first five-eighths Lima Sopoaga and Aaron Cruden have hung up their boots after doing some heavy lifting for Waikato last year, with Taha Kemara set to have a big season in the #10 jersey, while Bailyn Sullivan, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Tepaea Cook-Savage and Gideon Wrampling have all moved on. Still, there is plenty of class in this outfit, including Oli Mathis, Xavier Roe and Daniel Sinkinson, which should see the Mooloos stay competitive, but it’s a very tough first matchup.<\/p>\n

Bay of Plenty also had their season ended by Otago last season, this time in the semifinals, but they certainly have the tools to go further in 2026. They have retained almost all of their first-string team, while welcoming back former Steamer Joe Webber, alongside his sevens buddies Frank Vaenuku and Roderick Solo. With experience throughout the pack, in the form of Kurt Eklund, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Nikora Broughton, as well as in the backs through Reon Paul, Lucas Cashmore, Cole Forbes and the aforementioned sevens squad, this is a very dangerous BOP outfit.<\/p>\n

It’s a pair of strong 23s named for Thursday’s season opener, and the Mooloos deserve respect at home, but I expect BOP to get more and more comfortable as the game goes on, seeing them come out on top. At just a 2.5-point line, BOP are the bet.<\/p>\n

Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n

Best: Bay of Plenty -2.5 ($1.95)
\nValue: Power Plays \u2014 Cole Forbes OR Reon Paul 1st Try Scorer & BOP Score 35+ Points ($21)
\nTry Scorer: Reon Paul ($17 First, $x Anytime)
\nSame Game Multi: Reon Paul Try \/ Daniel Sinkinson Try \/ Kurt Eklund Try ($16.08)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\t\t\t\n Bet Now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n