NPC Round 8 Predictions & Tips
Round 8 of the 2025 NPC (Getty Images)
Round 8 of the 2025 NPC takes place this weekend on 19, 20 & 21 September 2025. With just a few more rounds remaining before the playoffs, every game is crucial, and teams cannot afford bad results. Here we have the previews, team news and best bets for all the NPC fixtures in round 8.
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19 Sep 2025Manawatu vs Bay of Plenty Predictions - Bay of Plenty to register fourth consecutive win away from home
- Bay of Plenty have beaten Manawatu 4 times consecutively.
- Manawatu solid at home but struggle vs Bay of Plenty.
- Bay of Plenty favoured to cover the handicap.
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19 Sep 2025North Harbour vs Northland Predictions - Northland to condemn North Harbour to another defeat
- Northland have won 4 and lost 3 this season.
- North Harbour are winless in this edition of the NPC.
- Northland are tipped to cover the -1.5 handicap against North Harbour.
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18 Sep 2025Taranaki vs Hawkes Bay Predictions - Hawkes Bay to take a step closer to home playoff in NPC
- Taranaki are slight favorites but have won only 1 of their last 4 matches.
- Hawkes Bay are in strong form with 2 recent wins and sit third on the table.
- Prediction: Hawkes Bay expected to cover the 4.5-point handicap and could win away.
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18 Sep 2025Canterbury vs Otago Predictions - Canterbury set to beat Otago in top of the table clash
- Canterbury leads NPC with 7 wins and strong home record.
- Otago displays good form, but struggles in Canterbury.
- Canterbury favoured to beat Otago.
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18 Sep 2025Wellington vs Southland Predictions - Wellington to keep unbeaten record against Southland intact
- Wellington have won all 10 NPC meetings vs Southland.
- Southland enter contest after two heavy defeats.
- Wellington predicted to cover -11.5 handicap.
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18 Sep 2025Counties Manukau vs Auckland Predictions - Auckland set to beat Counties Manukau away from home
- Auckland have won 3 of last 5 vs Counties Manukau.
- Counties Manukau strong last match, but have struggle at home vs Auckland.
- Auckland favoured to cover -3.5 handicap.
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17 Sep 2025Tasman vs Waikato Predictions - Tasman set for bonus point win against Waikato
- Tasman has won 8 of the last 10 games vs Waikato.
- Tasman recently lost 2 matches but remain title contenders.
- Waikato are inconsistent, losing 2 of last 3, and have fewer bonus points.
NPC Round 8 Fixtures
Friday, 19 September
Taranaki vs Hawkes Bay
Saturday, 20 September
Wellington vs Southland
Counties Manukau vs Auckland
Canterbury vs Otago
Tasman vs Waikato
Sunday, 21 September
North Harbour vs Northland
Manawatu vs Bay of Plenty
