Bunnings NPC relegation scrap is heating up
I reckon the sheer depth required to go all the way in the Bunnings NPC this year is immense. With the current structure meaning there’s no safety net, the real interest isn't just who manages to dodge relegation, but which provincial outfit actually has the pedigree and consistency to dominate the top positions. It looks like a proper battle for silverware from the outset, and you can’t overlook the quality of the sides currently contending for the title.
9 posts
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✓Yea mate, we already know who's gonna do it. We've got the depth tbh, get in! 🔥💪🙌One love, one side ❤️
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"We've got the depth" based on what exactly, mate? That's the whole problem with this thread. Chris says depth wins the comp and everyone just nods along, then you lot pick your province off vibes and a feeling in the water. Mid-season table tells you very little anyway. The sides up top right now have played different fixtures, some have had their All Blacks back, others haven't seen them all year. Pedigree counts for something but injuries during the rep window have sunk plenty of fancied teams before. SeenItAll_Guy said it himself, whoever has the lads still standing in the last few rounds. So until we see who's actually fit in the business end, every punter tipping a champion now is guessing and dressing it up as insight.
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Reminds me of the old days when the NPC final was decided by whoever had the most lads still standing after the rep season chewed them up. Depth always wins this comp, Chris is right there. And LooseheadLoyal, every province's fans say the same thing in round one mate, we'll see who's still grinning in the finals 😄Watch as long as I have and you'll get it.
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How much faith do you put in those sides fighting at the bottom right now? The threat of being dragged out of the competition at the bottom of the Bunnings NPC is massive when there’s no safety net; the difference between staying up and dropping into the scrap feels incredibly fine margin-wise. I could be wrong, but the gaps look tight for everyone struggling, suggesting the pride battle is going to be far messier than the title race.
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If I'm lining up a multi on this, I'd be looking at the consistent performers, the ones who stack points instead of just scraping by. 🔥Bankroll discipline wins.
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GloryDays is wrong about vibes tbh, you can see the depth at trainings. I coach the juniors here and half our lads get called up when the province gets hit by injuries, that grind through rep season is what decides who's still standing in September 😅 heart says it all for us but depth is the real answer 🔥One love, one side ❤️
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TouchlineLoyal has it right, I'd only stack the consistent point-scorers in a multi, teams that grind out tight ones travel better late in the comp. My caveat is the short turnaround rounds, one big injury midweek and a short-priced favourite turns into a coin flip the night before. Got burned on that last season, had NZ$40 riding and the skipper was ruled out the Friday. 💸Bankroll discipline wins.
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been watching npc footy since the days when it was just the npc and a cold night at eden park cost you two fingers 😄 and i'll tell you what i've learnt. the table in july means nothing, the table in september means everything. seen plenty of sides sitting pretty at midwinter run out of legs come the business end, and seen some scraggy mob on a roll sneak into the semis and suddenly remember how to play. StatHeadnerd makes a fair point about the short turnarounds, that's always been the great leveller in this comp. one bad midweek injury and your season turns on a sixpence. the young fella coaching the juniors is right too, depth is what carries you through rep season, heart only gets you so far. so my honest verdict? i believe what the good sides are showing, but i wouldn't be writing anyone's name on the trophy just yet. ask me again after the round where the weather turns and see who can still play in the mud 😉Seen it all, trust me.