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Waikato vs Bay of Plenty Predictions - Waikato backed in opening 2026 NPC clash

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Ralph Staniforth 1 hour ago

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Bay of Plenty have won 4 of last 5 vs Waikato.
Waikato are home underdogs, offering value.
Both teams miss internationals due to All Blacks tour.

Waikato to start season with a home win (Getty Images)

Waikato vs Bay of Plenty Predictions

This is expected to be a tight opening match to the 2026 NPC in New Zealand. Bay of Plenty are slight favourites having won four of their last five against the hosts, however, the bookmakers only have a 1.5 handicap set.

Waikato vs Bay of Plenty Predictions
Head to Head
Waikato Form
Bay of Plenty Form
Waikato vs Bay of Plenty Team News

While the history of this fixture is against Waikato, I feel, at home on the opening day, they are good value at even money.

Waikato have lost 2 of their last 3 NPC matches (2025)
Bay of Plenty have won 4 of their last 5 NPC matches (2025).
Bay of Plenty have won 4 of their last 5 matches against Waikato.
Bay of Plenty finished 3rd on the 2025 NPC table.

Head to Head

Over the last five matches, Bay of Plenty have managed four wins compared to Waikato’s one.

Waikato Form

Waikato will be looking for vast improvement on their 2025 NPC performance. They were inconsistent throughout, finishing seventh with six wins and four defeats.

They did enough to make the quarterfinals through, where they put up a massive fight against the eventual runners-up, Otago away from home. In the end, Waikato went down 44-41 in a pulsating knockout clash.

Bay of Plenty Form

Bay of Plenty finished the 2025 NPC in third place, five points off Otago in second and six off Canterbury at the top.

The semi-final is where Bay of Plenty’s run came to an end after an impressive season. They lost 41-17 away to Otago in that semi-final, a disappointing performance to end their season.

Nevertheless, Bay of Plenty have been consistent in the NPC over the last few years and much is expected from them once again.

Waikato vs Bay of Plenty Team News

Both teams will be missing their international stars throughout the season, or for at least the vast majority of it as the All Blacks are touring South Africa from the beginning of August.

Verdict

Waikato v Bay of Plenty

Waikato are backed to win at home against Bay of Plenty in round one of the 2026 NPC.

Waikato Win

Result

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Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town.

He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side. Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport.

Over the last seven years he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa.

Ralph has been betting on sports for the last ten years. He’s knowledgeable on numerous topics including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and golf.

He supports Manchester United (football), Cheetahs (rugby), Knights (cricket) and has a newly found appreciation for Dominic Thiem on the tennis courts.