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‘Every chance of getting it done this year’: Could Hawke’s Bay make NPC history?
Sport Nation • September 22nd, 2026 7:51 am
Hawkes Bay players celebrate a try | Photo: Kerry Marshall/Photosport
With just two regular-season rounds remaining, the race for the NPC finals is wide open, with only two points separating the top five teams.
Northland, Otago and Hawke's Bay sit on 32 points, while North Harbour has 31 and Canterbury round out the top five with 30 points, comfortably ahead of the rest of the competition.
But it is Hawke's Bay that Sky Sport commentator Ken Laban believes could go all the way and claim the NPC title for the first time in the province’s history.
“I give Hawke's Bay every chance of getting it done this year,” he told Sport Nation ahead of the team's clash against 7th-placed Taranaki on Sunday.
“They’ve been a form horse, they're experienced, they are well coached, their tactics are good, they are very sharp, they are very aggressive up front.”
Izzy acknowledges true home of 'The Bay' after Steamers' win over his Magpies | Scotty & Izzy
And to go one further, Laban also believes Hawke’s Bay may face North Harbour in the final, with Harbour’s forward pack and breakdown work making a strong impression.
“I just remember commentating Harbour a few weeks ago when they absolutely tore Wellington apart and I thought they were very structured.
“I thought that their forwards and their relentless aggression at the break-down was pretty special."
Listen to the full interview below:
