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North Harbour vs Northland Predictions - Northland to upset the odds and edge North Harbour in NPC clash

Nigel Williams

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Nigel Williams 1 hour ago

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Northland have beaten North Harbour in their last 2 encounters.
Northland are in strong form, winning 4 of the last 5 games.
Recommendation: Northland to cover +6.5 handicap.

Northland to upset the odds and edge North Harbour in NPC clash (Getty Images)

North Harbour vs Northland Predictions

Northland to upset the odds after having won the two recent meetings against favourites North Harbour. Northland arrive high on confidence and maintaining strong form under coach Ryan Martin, following their monumental defensive efforts in the campaign, including a successful Ranfurly Shield defence against Tasman. My best bet is Northland to cover the +6.5 handicap.

North Harbour vs Northland Predictions
Head-to-Head
North Harbour Form
North Harbour Injuries & Team News
Northland Form
Northland Injuries & Team News

North Harbour has won 3 of the last 5 matches against Northland.
North Harbour has won 3 of their last 5 matches.
North Harbour lost 43-40 to Manawatu in their previous match.
Northland has won 4 of their last 5 matches.
Northland beat Tasman 20-10 in their previous match.

Head-to-Head

North Harbour has won three of the last five meetings against Northland.

Northland has won the two recent meetings against North Harbour.

North Harbour Form

North Harbour narrowly lost 43-40 to Manawatu in a thrilling National Provincial Championship Round 5 match at the Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North, after trailing 27-21 at halftime.

Manawatu slotted three early second-half penalties to build a 43-28 buffer, before North Harbour mounted a fierce comeback with a late double from Coby Miln, narrowing the gap to just three points before time ran out.

North Harbour has had a decent run in their 2026 campaign, winning three of their last five matches. They lost to Tasman (31-29), before beating Counties Manukau (59-19), Wellington (47-7), and Auckland (27-19), and losing to Manawatu (43-40).

North Harbour are fourth in the NPC table with 19 points after five matches of the 2026 campaign.

North Harbour Injuries & Team News

Starting XV: 1 Tony Tafa, 2 Bryn Gordon, 3 Leka Tu'ungafasi, 4 Gus Farnan, 5 Jack Lee, 6 Tristyn Cook, 7 Jed Melvin, 8 George Reeves, 9 Nui Muriwai, 10 Coby Miln, 11 Rory Taylor, 12 Oscar Koller, 13 Tom Barham, 14 Israel Leota, 15 Kade Banks.

Replacements: 16 Moses Hafoka, 17 Oscar Cowley-Andrea, 18 Riley Tofilau, 19 Victor Olaaiga, 20 Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Finau Paea, 23 Tyler Pulini.

Northland Form

Northland successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield with a hard-fought 20-10 victory over Tasman at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei, after going into the break level at 10-10.

This marked Northland's first successful home defence of the Ranfurly Shield in decades, keeping the Log o' Wood in the North.

Both sides traded blows early, with Tasman opening the scoring before Jordan Trainor responded for Northland, leaving it deadlocked at 10-10 at the break.

Captain Rivez Reihana crashed over near the posts in the 75th minute to seal the win for Northland.

Northland has been in solid form this season, winning four of their last five matches. They beat Manawatu (40-14), lost to the Bay of Plenty (34-31), before beating Taranaki (42-0), Canterbury (36-12), and Tasman (20-10).

Northland are second in the NPC table with 21 points after five matches of the 2026 campaign.

Northland Injuries & Team News

Starting XV: 1 Olly Ryan, 2 Heath MacEwan, 3 Daniel Botha, 4 Josh Goodhue, 5 Darcy Holwell, 6 Grady Forbes, 7 Zac Shanks, 8 Terrell Peita, 9 Josh Renton, 10 Jade Stewart, 11 James Ramm, 12 Corey Evans, 13 Hudson Creighton, 14 Nathan Salmon, 15 Jordan Trainor.

Replacements: 16 Jordan Hutchings, 17 Esile Fono, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Allan Craig, 20 Lachie Hooper, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Heremaia Murray.

Verdict

North Harbour v Northland

Northland to upset the odds after having won the two recent meetings against favourites North Harbour.

Northland +6.5

Handicap

@1,91 - 1 Unit

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