2021 Bunnings NPC season
Countries	New Zealand
Date	6 August – 20 November
Champions	Waikato
Runners-up	Tasman
Matches played	53
Tries scored	353 (average 6.7 per match)
Top point scorer	Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki) 172 points
Top try scorer	Leicester Fainga'anuku (Tasman) 8 tries
Official website
www.provincial.rugby
← 2020 2022 →

The 2021 Bunnings NPC season was the 16th season of New Zealand's provincial rugby union competition since it turned professional in 2006. The regular season began on August 6, when Manawatu hosted Counties Manukau. It involved the top 14 rugby unions in New Zealand. For sponsorship reasons, the competition was known as the Bunnings NPC and it was the first season under the lead sponsor and to carry the NPC moniker since 2005. The winner of the Championship, Taranaki wasn't promoted to the Premiership due to a format restructure earlier in the season. Despite finishing seventh in the Premiership, Auckland was not relegated to the Championship, having only played two matches due to a resurgence of COVID-19 in the Auckland Region.

The Bunnings NPC standings were sorted by a competition points system. Four points were awarded to the winning team, a draw equaled two points, whilst a loss amounted to zero points. Unions could also win their side a respectable bonus point. To receive a bonus point, they must have scored four tries or more or lose by seven or fewer points or less.^[1] Each team was placed on their total points received. If necessary of a tiebreaker, when two or more teams finish on equal points, the union who defeated the other in a head-to-head got placed higher. In case of a draw between them, the side with the biggest points differential margin got rights to be ranked above. If they were tied on points difference, it was then decided by a highest scored try count or a coin toss.^[2] This seeding format was implemented since the beginning of the 2006 competition.

The competition included a promotion-relegation process with the winner of the Championship receiving automatic promotion to the Premiership, replacing the seventh-placed team in the Premiership which was relegated to the Championship for the following year. The regular season consisted of two types of matches. The internal division matches were when each team played the other six unions in their division once, home or away. The cross-division matches were when each team played four teams from the other division, thus missing out on three teams, each from the opposite division. Each union played home or away games against teams from the other division, making a total of ten competition games for each union.^[3] The finals format allowed the top four teams from each division move on to the semi-finals. The top two division winners, based on table points, received a home semi-final. In the first round of the finals, the semi-finals, the second division winner hosted the third division winner, and the first division winner hosted the fourth division winner. The final was hosted by the top remaining seed.^[4]

Source: Bunnings NPC standings 2021^[5]

The 2021 Bunnings NPC was originally scheduled to play across ten weeks. The competition started on Friday, August 6, with Manawatu taking on Counties Manukau at Central Energy Trust Arena.^[6] On August 18, New Zealand Rugby announced that all rugby in New Zealand would be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[7] In September it was confirmed the competition schedule would continue from Week 7 of the original draw. Auckland, Counties Manukau, Manawatu, North Harbour, Otago, and Southland would have byes due to covid restrictions.^[8] Therefore all rugby matches scheduled between the 20th and 29 August and 3rd to the 5th of September 2021 was postponed.^[9][10]

On 7 October 2021, it was later revealed the Auckland based teams, Auckland, Counties Manukau, and North Harbour would be withdrawn from the competition after being declined its third travel exemption application.^[11] A new draw was released for the remainding four weeks of the season. In addition non-competition matches were implemented so that teams that would have otherwise played Auckland region teams don't go two weeks without a match. These matches will not receive competition points.^[12]

7 August 2021 14:05 NZST

Wellington	54–7	Northland
Try: Taine Plumtree (3) 3', 5', 49' Peter Umaga-Jensen 35' Alex Fidow 38' Julian Savea 61' Bruce Kauika-Petersen 65' Brandyn Laursen 73' Con: Ruben Love (5/6) 4', 6', 36', 39', 50' Brandyn Laursen (2/2) 66', 74' Pen: Ruben Love (0/1)	Report	Try: Jordan Olsen 27' Con: Rivez Reihana (1/1) 28' Cards: Dan Hawkins  80'

Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Referee: Tipene Cottrell

14 August 2021 14:05 NZST

Tasman	16–11	Auckland
Try: Leicester Fainga'anuku 69' Con: Mitchell Hunt (1/1) 70' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (3/6) 25', 40', 58' Cards: Pari Pari Parkinson  80'	Report	Try: Salesi Rayasi 33' Con: Harry Plummer (0/1) Pen: Harry Plummer (2/3) 8', 31'

Trafalgar Park, Nelson Referee: Jonathan Bredin

15 August 2021 14:05 NZST

Waikato	43–37	Wellington
Try: Mosese Dawai 5' Jack Lam 49' Ollie Norris 55' Cortez-Lee Ratima 65' Liam Messam 68' Liam Coombes-Fabling 73' Con: Fletcher Smith (5/6) 50', 56', 66', 69', 74' Pen: Fletcher Smith (1/1) 11'	Report	Try: Pepesana Patafilo (2) 18', 20' Du'Plessis Kirifi 26' Julian Savea 36' Peter Umaga-Jensen 39' Con: Ruben Love (3/5) 28', 38', 40' Pen: Ruben Love (1/3) 9' Brandyn Laursen (1/1) 60' Cards: Julian Savea  43'

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Referee: Cameron Stone

15 August 2021 14:05 NZST

Southland	11–31	Bay of Plenty
Try: Charles Alaimalo 47' Con: Greg Dyer (0/1) Pen: Greg Dyer (0/1) Marty Banks (2/2) 60', 67' Cards: Charles Alaimalo  77'	Report	Try: Mitchell Karpik 22' Sean Wainui 56' Onisi Ratave 68' Nikora Broughton 78' Con: Kaleb Trask (4/4) 23', 57', 69', 79' Pen: Kaleb Trask (1/2) 39'

Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill Referee: Michael Winter

15 August 2021 16:35 NZST

Northland	14–48	Taranaki
Try: Leka Tu'ungafasi 10' Kaliopasi Uluilakepa 64' Con: Rivez Reihana (2/2) 11', 64' Pen: Rivez Reihana (0/1) Cards: Isi Manu  43'	Report	Try: Daniel Waite 36' Ricky Riccitelli 47' Kini Naholo (2) 52', 70' Shaan Waite 60' Daniel Rona 72' Con: Stephen Perofeta (6/6) 36', 48', 54', 61', 71', 73' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (2/2) 33', 43'

Okara Park, Whangārei Referee: Angus Mabey

18 September 2021 14:05 NZST

Taranaki	32–26	Wellington
Try: Stephen Perofeta 5' Michael Bent 21' Jayson Potroz 27' Con: Stephen Perofeta (1/3) 28' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (5/6) 37', 43', 49', 59', 66' Cards: Teihorangi Walden  40'	Report	Try: Wes Goosen 9' Pepesana Patafilo 40' Sam Smith 70' Con: Aidan Morgan (0/2) Ruben Love (1/1) 71' Pen: Aidan Morgan (3/3) 4', 32', 53'

TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood Referee: James Doleman

24 September 2021 19:05 NZST

Tasman	22–39	Waikato
Try: Leicester Fainga'anuku 52' Shannon Frizell 67' Andrew Makalio 72' Con: Mitchell Hunt (2/3) 52', 68' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (1/2) 3'	Report	Try: Matthew Lansdown 24' Liam Coombes-Fabling (2) 27', 77' Gideon Wrampling 42' Cortez-Lee Ratima 55' Con: Fletcher Smith (4/5) 25', 43', 56', 79' Pen: Fletcher Smith (2/2) 14', 63' Cards: Steven Misa  31' Hamilton Burr  66'

Trafalgar Park, Nelson Referee: Nick Briant

25 September 2021 14:05 NZST

Manawatu	31–19	Northland
Try: Ed Fidow 21' Brayden Iose 27' Taniela Filimone 73' Con: Brett Cameron (2/3) 22', 28' Pen: Brett Cameron (4/5) 13', 16', 50', 57'	Report	Try: Jone Macilai-Tori 60' Jonah Mau'u 64' Kaliopasi Uluilakepa 80' Con: Rivez Reihana (0/1) Johnny Cooper (2/2) 66', 80' Cards: Noah Cooper  15'

Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North Referee: Paul Williams

25 September 2021 16:05 NZST

Southland	16–19 (a.e.t.)	Canterbury
Try: Josh Moorby 14' Con: Marty Banks (1/1) 16' Pen: Marty Banks (3/5) 32', 61', 71' Cards: Chris Apoua  52'	Report	Try: Luke Romano 54' Con: Fergus Burke (1/1) 55' Pen: Fergus Burke (4/4) 7', 20', 22', 85' Jack Debreczeni (0/1)

Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill Referee: James Doleman

1 October 2021 19:05 NZST

Northland	38–28	Waikato
Try: Jone Macilai-Tori 16' Kara Pryor 23' Sam Nock 38' Blake Hohaia 46' Sam McNamara 79' Con: Dan Hawkins (5/5) 18', 25', 39', 48', 80' Pen: Dan Hawkins (1/2) 40'	Report	Try: Liam Coombes-Fabling (3) 8', 53', 73' Mitch Jacobson 43' Con: Fletcher Smith (4/4) 10', 44', 54', 75' Cards: D'Angelo Leuila  70'

Okara Park, Whangārei Referee: Mike Fraser

2 October 2021 16:35 NZST

Manawatu	27–14	Otago
Try: Tima Fainga'anuku 9' Josiah Maraku 17' Jarred Adams 42' Con: Brett Cameron (3/3) 10', 18', 43' Pen: Brett Cameron (2/4) 30', 57' Cards: Flyn Yates  65'	Report	Try: Dylan Nel 26' James Lentjes 66' Con: Josh Ioane (2/2) 27', 67'

Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North Referee: Tipene Cottrell

8 October 2021 19:05 NZST

Wellington	35–30 (a.e.t.)	Canterbury
Try: Peter Umaga-Jensen (2) 2', 82' Du'Plessis Kirifi 13' Alex Fidow 80' Con: Ruben Love (3/3) 3', 14', 80' Pen: Ruben Love (3/3) 7', 40', 48' Cards: Alex Fidow  50'	Report	Try: Manasa Mataele (2) 23', 51' Josh McKay 36' Chay Fihaki 58' Con: Fergus Burke (2/4) 37', 53' Pen: Fergus Burke (2/2) 16', 73' Cards: Luke Romano  80'

Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Referee: Paul Williams

9 October 2021 19:05 NZST

Otago	23–30	Taranaki
Try: Sio Tomkinson 39' Dylan Nel 62' Con: Josh Ioane (2/2) 40', 63' Pen: Josh Ioane (3/4) 15', 29', 70' Cards: Sam Fischli  48'	Report	Try: Teihorangi Walden 31' Pita Gus Sowakula 57' Liam Blyde 72' Con: Stephen Perofeta (3/3) 32', 58', 73' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (3/3) 4', 11', 67'

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Referee: Daniel Waenga

15 October 2021 19:05 NZST

Northland	13–24	Otago
Try: Sam Nock 15' Jone Macilai-Tori 37' Con: Dan Hawkins (0/2) Pen: Dan Hawkins (1/2) 51'	Report	Try: Sio Tomkinson (2) 2', 74' James Lentjes 6' Con: Josh Ioane (3/3) 3', 7', 76' Pen: Josh Ioane (1/1) 10' Cards: Will Tucker  66'

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua Referee: Michael Winter

16 October 2021 14:05 NZST

Waikato	26–33	Taranaki
Try: Mosese Dawai 15' James Tucker 18' Beaudein Waaka 52' D'Angelo Leuila 68' Con: Fletcher Smith (3/4) 19', 53', 69' Pen: Fletcher Smith (0/1) Cards: Cortez-Lee Ratima  75'	Report	Try: Daniel Waite 58' Kini Naholo 63' Con: Stephen Perofeta (1/2) 64' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (7/7) 3', 5', 8', 18', 27', 74', 78'

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga Referee: Mike Fraser

16 October 2021 16:35 NZST

Canterbury	26–45	Hawke's Bay
Try: Rameka Poihipi 29' Manasa Mataele 55' Luke Donaldson 57' Mitchell Gibson 70' Con: Fergus Burke (1/1) 30' Jack Debreczeni (2/3) 58', 70'	Report	Try: Geoff Cridge 21' Stacey Ili 26' Lincoln McClutchie 32' Danny Toala 35' Josh Kaifa 40' Jacob Devery 43' Jonah Lowe 72' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (4/6) 23', 33', 36', 40' Tiaan Falcon (1/1) 73' Pen: Tiaan Falcon (0/1) Cards: Joe Apikotoa  59'

Rugby League Park, Christchurch Referee: Stuart Curran

23 October 2021 19:05 NZST

RS – Hawke's Bay	41–14	Waikato
Try: Jacob Devery 2' Danny Toala 22' Neria Fomai (2) 62', 77' Tom Parsons 69' Ollie Sapsford 73' Con: Lincoln McClutchie (4/5) 23', 62', 70', 74' Caleb Makene (0/1) Pen: Lincoln McClutchie (1/1) 54' Cards: Danny Toala  80'	Report	Try: Steven Misa 16' Liam Coombes-Fabling 28' Con: D'Angelo Leuila (2/2) 17', 29' Pen: D'Angelo Leuila (0/1) Cards: James Tucker  71'

McLean Park, Napier Referee: Nick Briant

29 October 2021 19:05 NZST

Canterbury	24–20	Tasman
Try: Fergus Burke 6' Luke Romano 61' Dallas McLeod 75' Con: Fergus Burke (3/3) 7', 62', 76' Pen: Fergus Burke (1/1) 66'	Report	Try: Quentin MacDonald 51' Con: Mitchell Hunt (0/1) Pen: Mitchell Hunt (5/5) 10', 32', 40', 46', 57' Cards: Leicester Fainga'anuku  8' Sam Matenga  13'

Rugby League Park, Christchurch Referee: Tipene Cottrell

30 October 2021 16:35 NZST

Bay of Plenty	33–37	Waikato
Try: Lucas Cashmore 25' Nathan Harris 35' Joe Webber 45' Leroy Carter 51' Emoni Narawa 80' Con: Lucas Cashmore (4/5) 26', 37', 47', 80' Cards: Leroy Carter  40'	Report	Try: Cortez-Lee Ratima (2) 8', 42' Mosese Dawai 40' Rupeni Tamani 70' Con: D'Angelo Leuila (4/4) 9', 40', 43', 71' Pen: D'Angelo Leuila (3/3) 7', 33', 74' Cards: Hamilton Burr  57'

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga Referee: Stuart Curran

3 November 2021 19:05 NZST

Bay of Plenty	22–14	Northland
Try: Peni Lasaqa (2) 4', 24' Manaaki Selby-Rickit 59' Nathan Harris 64' Con: Lucas Cashmore (1/4) 65' Cards: Cassius Misa  48' Viliami Tosi  79'	Report	Try: Blake Hohaia 36' Justin Davies 80' Con: Rivez Reihana (1/1) 37' Dan Hawkins (1/1) 80' Cards: Blake Hohaia  22'

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua Referee: Tipene Cottrell

5 November 2021 19:05 NZST

Waikato	27–25	Otago
Try: James Thompson 40' Ryan Tongia 55' James Tucker 71' Con: D'Angelo Leuila (3/3) 40', 56', 72' Pen: D'Angelo Leuila (2/2) 29', 36'	Report	Try: Freedom Vahaakolo (2) 14', 47' Matt Faddes 63' Con: Josh Ioane (2/3) 48', 65' Pen: Josh Ioane (2/3) 33', 38' Cards: Sam Fischli  28'

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua Referee: Nick Briant

13 November 2021 14:05 NZST

Taranaki	25–13	Southland
Try: Tom Florence 4' Logan Crowley 10' Con: Stephen Perofeta (0/2) Pen: Stephen Perofeta (5/6) 18', 27', 54', 70', 75'	Report	Try: Rory van Vugt 49' Con: Marty Banks (1/1) 50' Pen: Marty Banks (2/3) 15', 22' Cards: Isaac Te Tamaki  80'

TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood Referee: Jonathan Bredin

20 November 2021 14:05 NZST

Taranaki	32–19	Otago
Try: Jared Proffit 4' Daniel Waite 19' Mickey Woolliams 39' Kini Naholo 43' Con: Stephen Perofeta (3/4) 5', 20', 45' Pen: Stephen Perofeta (2/4) 32', 47' Jayson Potroz (0/1) Cards: Jayson Potroz  51'	Report	Try: Josh Hill 6' Vilimoni Koroi 33' Josh Ioane 54' Con: Josh Ioane (2/3) 7', 55'

TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood Referee: Stuart Curran

FB 15 Ryan Tongia RW 14 Liam Coombes-Fabling OC 13 Bailyn Sullivan IC 12 Gideon Wrampling LW 11 Mosese Dawai  51' FH 10 D'Angelo Leuila  58' SH 9 Cortez-Lee Ratima  72' N8 8 Jack Lam  80' OF 7 Mitch Jacobson BF 6 Samipeni Finau RL 5 Hamilton Burr  67' LL 4 James Tucker TP 3 George Dyer  41'  51'  61' HK 2 Rhys Marshall  61' LP 1 Ayden Johnstone (c)  53' Replacements: HK 16 Steven Misa  61' PR 17 Ollie Norris  53' PR 18 Sefo Kautai  41'  51'  61' LK 19 Rupeni Tamani  80' FL 20 Liam Messam  67' SH 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi  72' FH 22 Fletcher Smith  58' FB 23 Beaudein Waaka  51'

FB 15 Andrew Knewstubb RW 14 Timoci Tavatavanawai  65' OC 13 Leicester Fainga'anuku IC 12 Alex Nankivell LW 11 Regan Ware  78' FH 10 Mitchell Hunt SH 9 Louie Chapman  78' N8 8 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta  65' OF 7 Anton Segner BF 6 Jacob Norris RL 5 Quinten Strange (c) LL 4 Antonio Shalfoon  65' TP 3 Sam Matenga  56' HK 2 Andrew Makalio  52' LP 1 Isi Tu'ungafasi  51' Replacements: HK 16 Quentin MacDonald  52' PR 17 Luca Inch  51' PR 18 Isaac Salmon  56' LK 19 Max Hicks  65' FL 20 Hugh Renton  65' SH 21 Noah Hotham  78' WG 22 Macca Springer  78' CE 23 Levi Aumua  65'

Source: The weekly reviews of the matches published on provincial.rugby (see "Report" in the individual match scoring stats).

Source: The weekly reviews of the matches published on provincial.rugby (see "Report" in the individual match scoring stats).

Source: Bunnings NPC Fixtures and Results 2021^[13]

Source: The weekly reviews of the matches published on provincial.rugby (see "Report" in the individual match scoring stats).

Player	Team	Red	Yellow	Sent off match(es)
Sam Fischli	Otago	1	1	vs Taranaki and Waikato
Dan Hawkins	Northland	1	0	vs Wellington
Isi Manu	Northland	1	0	vs Taranaki
Hamilton Burr	Waikato	0	2	vs Tasman and Bay of Plenty
Pari Pari Parkinson	Tasman	0	1	vs Auckland
Julian Savea	Wellington	0	1	vs Waikato
Charles Alaimalo	Southland	0	1	vs Bay of Plenty
Teihorangi Walden	Taranaki	0	1	vs Wellington
Steven Misa	Waikato	0	1	vs Tasman
Noah Cooper	Northland	0	1	vs Manawatu
Chris Apoua	Southland	0	1	vs Canterbury
D'Angelo Leuila	Waikato	0	1	vs Northland
Flyn Yates	Manawatu	0	1	vs Otago
Alex Fidow	Wellington	0	1	vs Canterbury
Luke Romano	Canterbury	0	1	vs Wellington
Will Tucker	Otago	0	1	vs Northland
Cortez-Lee Ratima	Waikato	0	1	vs Taranaki
Joe Apikotoa	Hawke's Bay	0	1	vs Canterbury
James Tucker	Waikato	0	1	vs Hawke's Bay
Danny Toala	Hawke's Bay	0	1	vs Waikato
Leicester Fainga'anuku	Tasman	0	1	vs Canterbury
Sam Matenga	Tasman	0	1	vs Canterbury
Leroy Carter	Bay of Plenty	0	1	vs Waikato
Cassius Misa	Bay of Plenty	0	1	vs Northland
Viliami Tosi	Bay of Plenty	0	1	vs Northland
Blake Hohaia	Northland	0	1	vs Bay of Plenty
Isaac Te Tamaki	Southland	0	1	vs Taranaki
Jayson Potroz	Taranaki	0	1	vs Otago

For the 2021 pre-season, Hawke's Bay accepted Ranfurly Shield challenges from North Otago and Ngāti Porou East Coast.^[14] In their first defence on June 30, Hawke's Bay defeated North Otago 85–0 in Napier. The side scored 13 tries to none. It began with a try to Kienan Higgins on debut from a turnover after four minutes. North Otago then conceded a penalty try and lost lock Manulua Taiti to a yellow card. Hawke’s Bay added a further two tries from Jason Long to lead 28–0 after the first quarter. Another two tries in the last eight minutes gave Hawke's Bay a 42-point lead at halftime. Hawke's Bay also gave a debut to All Black family member Sir Brian Lochore's grandson, Frank Lochore.^[15]

In Hawke's Bay's second defence of the year they scored 15 tries to win 93–5 against Ngāti Porou East Coast. Hawke's Bay number 8 Gareth Evans opened the scoring off due to lineout maul five minutes into the first half. Hawke's Bay had their second try through Josh Kaifa after some good runs from Anzelo Tuitavuki and Dennon Robinson-Bartlett on either wing, then fullback Danny Toala crossed over to make it 17–0 inside 15 minutes. Kaifa, Toala, Tuitavuki, Lincoln McClutchie and replacement prop Pouri Rakete-Stones all crossed for doubles, with McClutchie kicking nine conversions in a personal tally of 28 points. Ngāti Porou East Coast were coached by former New Zealand international Hosea Gear and scored their only try to hooker Jorian Tangaere in the thirtieth minute.^[16]

• Official website