Counties Manukau vs Taranaki Predictions - Counties Manukau can challenge Taranaki in NPC clash

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 3 hours ago

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Ralph Staniforth 3 hours ago

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Taranaki expected to win against Counties Manukau in NPC.
Counties Manukau predicted to stay within 13.5 points.
Taranaki might rest key players but remain favorites.

Counties Manukau can get close at home against Taranaki (Getty Images)

Counties Manukau vs Taranaki Predictions

Taranaki should have the power to get the win, even if they rest a few players. However, despite losing four in a row, Counties Manukau have shown glimpses of quality throughout. I am backing the hosts to get within 13.5 points.

Counties Manukau vs Taranaki Predictions
Head to Head
Counties Manukau Form
Counties Manukau Team News
Taranaki Form
Taranaki Team News

Counties Manukau have lost their last 4 matches.
Taranaki have won 3 of their last 4 matches.
Taranaki have won 7 of their last 8 matches against Counties Manukau.

Head to Head

Taranaki have won their last three matches against Counties Manukau and seven of their last eight. Last season, Taranaki won 31-15 at home.

Counties Manukau Form

Counties Manukau come into this fifth round NPC clash with four defeats to start the season. They are second from bottom having picked up three bonus points in their four defeats.

Manukau lost their opening game 54-14 at Hawkes Bay before going down 39-22 at home to Bay of Plenty That was followed by a narrow 27-26 at Waikato a week later.

Last weekend, Counties Manukau challenged Otago for most of the game but lost out 33-19 after 80 minutes.

Counties Manukau Team News

Counties Manukau are desperate for a result and will see this as a game to potentially kick-start their season. Expect their strongest available side on Saturday morning.

Taranaki Form

Taranaki are second on the table, three points off top after winning three of their opening four fixtures in the 2025 NPC.

The season began with three straight wins as Taranaki beat Northland 23-3 at home before a 46-24 success against North Harbour in round two. A superb performance in round three saw Taranaki humiliate Auckland 50-8 away from home.

In a very tightly contested fixture at home last weekend, Taranaki suffered a surprise 23-22 loss to Waikato. That will be a tough result to swallow, but the former champions will need to bounce back this weekend.