NPC Team of the Week: Incredible round

THIS WEEK'S VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: In a truly incredible round of rugby, the NPC placings are almost set for 2018.

In the Championship, Waikato can only be caught at the top if the points difference in their match and Hawkes' Bay's totals 126 in the Magpies' favour.

Along with those two Otago and Northland round out the top four with Bay of Plenty no longer able to catch either, even with a game in hand.

In the Premiership, Tasman, Canterbury and Auckland will fight for top spot with either North Harbour (who play Auckland) or Wellington (who play Taranaki) joining them.

Relegation looms large for the once-proud Taranaki, who need to beat Wellington and hope Counties lose to Canterbury.

In the first match of the week, Bay of Plenty's forwards were brutal and clinical (losing not a single breakdown) and their new flyhalf Trask is one to watch.

But three intercept tries were the difference in the match as Otago scored significantly more points, 45-34.

Wellington started strongly but ran out of puff as Auckland dominated the final quarter with three tries, two while Wellington openside, Mateaki Kafatolu, was in the bin.

Auckland jumped back to the top of the Premiership, albeit briefly, with the 24-29 win.

Friday and Saturday were for thrashings.

Hawkes' Bay came back from 17-nil down in the first quarter to completely trounce a Manawatu who had several of their stars back, 45-17.

First up on Saturday, Waikato sent a message to its Championship rivals, putting 10 tries past fourth placed Northland, winning 28-71 away from home.

Northland's bonus point got them clear of any Bay of Plenty chase.

Counties Manukau couldn't quite get the losing bonus points against North Harbour, that they needed to remove themselves completely from the drop zone.

But they certainly got close with superb second and fourth quarters, however, a lack of ball hurt them and they just couldn't build enough pressure to turn into points.

Every time they drew closer, Harbour for easy scores, finally ending the game 36-26.

In easily the dirtiest match this season, Taranaki lost Jarrad Hoeata in the 6th minute for a punch to the head.

Canterbury #8 Hugh Renton was yellow carded for a late shoulder to Ricky Riccitelli early in the second half and 9 minutes later replacement prop Dan Lienert-Brown was red carded for a headbutt to Riccitelli's face.

The Christchurch hosts trucked on, smashing a hapless Taranaki 41-7.

Southland got oh-so close to a victory on Sunday against Bay of Plenty, but fell agonisingly short, 22-26.

Lastly, Tasman jumped ahead of everyone with a bonus point win over Otago, 21-47.

With only a match against Hawkes' Bay left, Tasman are in with a real shot of home advantage throughout the playoffs, but Auckland have a game in hand.

Next Round:

The relegation/playoff spot decider of the competition is when Taranaki host Wellington, primetime Friday night. The second match on Saturday is the final Ranfurly Shield challenge of the year with Otago taking on the holders, Waikato. One of the fiercest matches will be on Sunday, with the Battle of the Bridge as North Harbour head south to take on Auckland.

Team of the Week - Round Eight:

15 - Will Jordan (Tasman):

Another terrific performance from the rising star. A hat-trick and 158 metres carried. Special mention to George Bridge (Canterbury), Vilimoni Koroi (Otago) and Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (Hawkes' Bay).

Bubbling Under: Shaun Stevenson (North Harbour)

14 - Tyler Campbell (Waikato):

Campbell has worked his way into the regular starting spot for the Mooloos with his speed and allusive running style.

Bubbling Under: Jonah Lowe (Hawkes' Bay)

13 - Braydon Ennor (Canterbury):

Ennor is making a name for himself one spot in from his Canterbury spot on the wing. Look out Ryan Crotty, Ennor is after your spot.

A lot of mentions for outside centre this week: Bailyn Sulivan (Waikato), Rene Ranger (Northland), Sio Tomkinson (Otago in their second match of the round) and Matt Faddes (Otago in their first match).

Bubbling Under: Rob Thompson (Manawatu)

12 - Quinn Tupaea (Waikato):

The double step for his first try was impressive but his 95-metre sprint for his intercept try sealed this position and Player of the Round!

Bubbling Under: Tinoai Faiane (Auckland)

11 - Sevu Reece (Waikato):

Everyone following the NPC knows how good Reece is at finishing, but this week he also had a hand in several others' tries, with a great quick tap setting up Sullivan's second.

Bubbling Under: Tima Fainga'anuku (Tasman)

10 - Mitch Hunt (Tasman):

Great showing by the Crusaders' backup. Hunt was crucial in Tasman's big first half lead over Otago. Special mention to Brett Cameron (Canterbury).

Bubbling Under: Josh Ioane (Otago)

9 - Mitchell Drummond (Canterbury):

Another calculated and assured performance from the Crusaders and Under 20s star. With this sort of consistency a recall to the All Blacks can't be too far off.

Bubbling Under: Brad Weber (Hawkes' Bay)

8 - Dylan Nel (Otago):

Another no-nonsense performance with 17 tackles, none missed and 18 carries making Nel the hardest working forward in the competition. Special mention to Akira Ioane (Auckland) and Teariki Ben-Nicholas (Wellington).

Bubbling Under: Jesse Parete (Taranaki)

7 - Dillon Hunt (North Harbour):

Showing that he's not a single season wonder, Hunt continues to impress with ball in hand to go along with his determination at the breakdown.

Bubbling Under: Dalton Papali'i (Auckland)

6 - James Tucker (Waikato):

Tucker shifted to the outside of the scrum this week and put in his traditional wrecking-ball performance. Special mention to Evan Olmstead (Auckland).

Bubbling Under: Billy Harmon (Canterbury)

5 - Kane Laupepe (Bay of Plenty):

Destroyed the Otago pack with his carries and breakdown work. If his backs had followed suit the southerners wouldn't have had a chance.

Bubbling Under: Michael Allardice (Hawkes' Bay)

4 - Luke Romano (Canterbury):

Whether starting or coming off the bench, this veteran is showing he still has what it takes to play at the highest level.

Bubbling Under: Tom Parsons (Hawkes' Bay)

3 - Marcel Renata (Auckland):

Renata is having his best season and his hard work is earning dividends for Auckland with their best season in years.

Bubbling Under: Sione Mafileo (North Harbour)

2 - Asafo Aumua (Wellington):

He's not just doing the big charges this year, Aumua's getting stuck in on defence (with 9 tackles) and becoming an accurate lineoutsman (12 lineouts, all won).

Bubbling Under: Tom Crozier (Bay of Plenty)

1 - Wyatt Crockett (Tasman):

Crockett has his name almost permanently inked into this spot with his hugely dominant scrummaging.

Bubbling Under: Alex Hodgman (Canterbury)

Previous selections

Team of the Week - Round Seven: 15 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (Hawkes' Bay), 14 Regan Ware (Taranaki), 13 Braydon Ennor (Canterbury), 12 Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato), 11 Tevita Li (North Harbour), 10 Mitch Hunt (Tasman), 9 Jamie Booth (Manawatu), 8 Marino Mikaele Tu'u (Hawkes' Bay), 7 Dillon Hunt (North Harbour):, 6 Billy Harmon (Canterbury), 5 James Tucker (Waikato), 4 Tom Parsons (Hawkes' Bay), 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott (Waikato), 2 Andrew Makalio (Tasman), 1 Wyatt Crockett (Tasman).

Team of the Week - Round Six: 15 George Bridge (Canterbury), 14 Matt Duffie (North Harbour), 13 Levi Aumua (Tasman), 12 Scott Gregory (Northland), 11 Ben Lam (Wellington), 10 Mitch Hunt (Tasman), 9 Finlay Christie (Tasman), 8 Thomas Waldrom (Wellington), 7 Mitchell Jacobson (Waikato), 6 Pita Sowakula (Taranaki), 5 James Tucker (Waikato), 4 James Blackwell (Wellington), 3 Marcel Renata (Auckland), 2 James Parsons (North Harbour), 1 Wyatt Crockett (Tasman).

Team of the Week - Round Five: 15 Wes Goosen (Wellington), 14 Mitchell Scott (Otago), 13 Matt Faddes (Otago), 12 Tinoai Faiane (Auckland), 11 Sevu Reece (Waikato), 10 Fletcher Smith (Waikato), 9 Jono Kitto (Northland), 8 Dylan Nel (Otago), 7 Dalton Papali'i (Auckland), 6 Vaea Fifita (Wellington), 5 Paripari Parkinson (Tasman), 4 Ben Fotheringham (Southland), 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott (Waikato), 2 James Parsons (North Harbour), 1 Wyatt Crockett (Tasman).

Team of the Week - Round Four: 15 Wes Goosen (Wellington), 14 Nigel Ah Wong (Counties Manukau), 13 Rob Thompson (Manawatu), 12 Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato), 11 Sevu Reece (Waikato), 10 Fletcher Smith (Waikato), 9 Brad Weber (Hawkes' Bay), 8 Dylan Nel (Otago), 7 Mitchell Jacobson (Waikato), 6 Mitchell Crosswell (Taranaki), 5 Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury), 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland), 3 Kalolo Tuiloma (Counties Manukau), 2 Robbie Abel (Auckland), 1 Sam Prattley (Auckland).

Team of the Week - Round Three: 15 Wes Goosen (Wellington), 14 Ben Lam (Wellington), 13 Rob Thompson (Manawatu), 12 Teihorangi Walden (Taranaki), 11 Jona Nareki (Otago), 10 Mitch Hunt (Tasman), 9 Te Toirua Tahuriorangi (Taranaki), 8 Akira Ioane (Auckland), 7 Mitch Karpik (Bay of Plenty), 6 Dalton Papali'i (Auckland), 5 Jack Whetton (Auckland), 4 Luke Romano (Canterbury), 3 Angus Ta'avao (Taranaki), 2 Asafo Aumua (Wellington), 1 Reuben O'Neill (Taranaki).

Team of the Week - Round Two: 15 Will Jordan (Tasman), 14 Melani Nanai (Auckland), 13 Rob Thompson (Manawatu), 12 Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wellington), 11 Manasa Mataele (Taranaki), 10 Matthew Lansdown (Waikato), 9 Brad Weber (Hawkes' Bay), 8 Sam Henwood (Counties Manukau), 7 Mitch Karpik (Bay of Plenty), 6 Liam Mitchell (Manawatu), 5 Ben Nee Nee (North Harbour), 4 Luke Romano (Canterbury), 3 Angus Ta'avao (Taranaki), 2 Ash Dixon (Hawkes' Bay), 1 Ross Wright (Northland).

Team of the Week - Round One: 15 Shaun Stephenson (North Harbour), 14 Seta Tamanivalu (Taranaki), 13 Levi Aumua (Tasman), 12 Matthew Johnson (Southland), 11 Rene Ranger (Northland), 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop (Wellington), 9 Richard Judd (Bay of Plenty), 8 Akira Ioane (Auckland), 7 Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki), 6 Ethan Blackadder (Tasman), 5 Aaron Carroll (Bay of Plenty), 4 Quinton Strange (Tasman), 3 Marco Fepulea'i (Auckland), 2 Andrew Makalio (Tasman), 1 Wyatt Crockett (Tasman).

By Richard Neal