NPC semi-finals down the years

Table topper was not always a finalist

There were not always semi-finals in the NPC, New Zealand's premier domestic competition. Originally there was just a league system. Semi-finals, and finals, only began in 1992, after 16 years of a league system.

In 1992 the top teams in the NPC Division One, at the end of the round robin matches, played in semi-finals. The teams, in order, were Auckland, Otago, North Harbour and Waikato.

As now, the top team (one) played the team placed fourth and team No.2 played No.3.

In 1992 four beat one and two needed extra time to beat three. Four then went on to smash two in the Final. Waikato beat Otago 40-5. Incredible.

The knock-out ending to the NPC was an immediate success in terms of spectators. The crowds at matches were greater than those for home Tests, greater than Auckland's record 56th defence of the Ranfurly Shield, against neighbours North Harbour.

In 1993 Waikato finished top of the table, but were knocked out in the semis. In 1997 Waikato topped the table, but Counties knocked them out. In 2002 Otago ended top and did not make the Final. That year four beat one and three beat two … and then four beat three in the final.

Semi-finals down the years:

1992:
Waikato 27-21 Auckland
Otago 26-23 North Harbour

1993:
Auckland 43-20 North Harbour
Otago 46-22 Waikato

1994:
Auckland 33-16 Otago
North Harbour 59-27 Canterbury

1995:
Auckland 60-26 North Harbour
Otago 41-32 Counties

1996:
Auckland 59-18 Otago
Counties 46-15 Canterbury

1997:
Counties-Manukau 43-40 Waikato
Canterbury 21-15 Auckland

1998:
Otago 61-12 Taranaki
Waikato 32-13 Canterbury

1999:
Auckland 38-30 North Harbour
Wellington 38-17 Waikato

2000:
Wellington 48-23 Auckland
Canterbury 31-23 Taranaki

2001:
Canterbury 53-22 Auckland
Otago 37-10 North Harbour

2002:
Waikato 41-37 Otago
Auckland 29-23 Canterbury

2003:
Auckland 39-32 Otago
Wellington 30-29 Waikato

2004:
Wellington 28-16 Waikato
Canterbury 44-12 Bay of Plenty