All Blacks put on NPC duty

NEWS: Sixteen members of the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad will represent their provincial unions in the final round-robin stage of the NPC this weekend.

George Bower will be available for Otago when they travel to face Northland on Friday.

Saturday’s four NPC matches will also each feature at least one of the Rugby Championship squad.

Dalton Papali’i and Cam Roigard are available for Counties Manukau when they are hosted by Manawatū at Massey University.

Southland and North Harbour have Ethan de Groot and Mark Tele’a at their service when they meet in Invercargill.

Billy Proctor set to bolster Wellington when they take on Hawkes Bay and Samipeni Finau available for Waikato to face All Blacks teammates George Bell and Sam Darry in the Canterbury team.

A further seven players are available for Sunday’s two matches – Tasman versus Taranaki and Auckland versus Bay of Plenty.

Tasman will have Ethan Blackadder, Noah Hotham and David Havili ready to help defend the Ranfurly Shield for the last time this season.

Stephen Perofeta is eyeing a return from his calf injury to assist Taranaki’s Shield challenge.

Pasilio Tosi is set to play for Bay of Plenty and both Harry Plummer and Patrick Tuipulotu are available for Auckland.