---
title: "Auckland vs Bay of Plenty NPC preview: Confirmed lineups"
canonical: "https://readrugbyunion.com/2026/08/27/auckland-bay-of-plenty-2026/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jonny Black"
section: "News"
published: "2026-08-27T20:59:05Z"
modified: "2026-08-27T20:59:11Z"
---

# Auckland vs Bay of Plenty NPC preview: Confirmed lineups

| Home team | Auckland |
| --- | --- |
| Away team | Bay of Plenty |
| Venue | Eden Park |
| Competition | NPC |
| Kick-off time | 8:10 am (UK) 7:10 pm (NZ) |
| Watch Live in the UK | NPC Youtube Channel |

Auckland vs Bay of Plenty preview as the sides meet in round five of the NPC.

The teams sit eighth and ninth in the table after four games. The Bay of Plenty have won two matches, while also picking up five bonus points, while Auckland have only won one match, but with four bonus points are sitting on eight points.

Read more match previews for all your rugby action [here](https://readrugbyunion.com/matchpreviews/)

## Auckland vs Bay of Plenty confirmed lineups

- **Auckland** · **Bay of Plenty**
- **Forwards**
- Fusitu’a · **1** · Kumeroa
- Pole · **2** · Kolose
- Ta’avao · **3** · Mafileo
- Cribb · **4** · Ah Kuoi
- Beehre · **5** · Knight
- Clark · **6** · Johnston
- Platt · **7** · Lasaqa
- Nofoagatotoa · **8** · Broughton
- **Backs**
- Fines-Leleiwasa · **9** · Sinton
- Harford · **10** · Cashmore
- Saunoa · **11** · Van Vugt
- Taele · **12** · Paul
- Latu · **13** · Armstrong
- Spencer · **14** · Ware
- Simpson · **15** · Forbes
- **Replacements**
- Fonokalafi · **16** · Tupou
- Ake · **17** · Rounds
- Faleafa · **18** · F Vakasiuola
- Cordukes · **19** · A Vakasiuola
- Woodley · **20** · Felise
- Arscott · **21** · Judd
- Foliaki · **22** · Hohepa
- Tito-Harris · **23** · Lea

## Recent Form:

**Auckland (Home team):**

| **Result** | **Date** | **Competition** | **Opponent** | **Score** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Loss | 22nd August 2026 | NPC | North Harbour | 27-19 |
| Loss | 15th August 2026 | NPC | Hawkes Bay | 31-44 |
| Won | 8th August 2026 | NPC | Wellington | 34-31 |
| Loss | 1st August 2026 | NPC | Canterbury | 38-31 |
| Loss | 3rd October 2025 | NPC | Otago | 17-51 |

Auckland have only won one game so far this year, coming in round two. In their last two matches they have lost by just outside losing bonus point range. Against North Harbour, Auckland held the lead after 33 minutes, but two tries for the opposition left them 24-14 behind at the break. Auckland would score early in the second half, but a Harbour penalty would push them past the bonus point margin.

**Bay of Plenty (Away team):**

| **Result** | **Date** | **Competition** | **Opponent** | **Score** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Won | 22nd August 2026 | NPC | Taranaki | 28-24 |
| Loss | 15th August 2026 | NPC | Canterbury | 33-28 |
| Won | 8th August 2026 | NPC | Northland | 34-31 |
| Loss | 30th July 2026 | NPC | Waikato | 38-26 |
| Loss | 17th October 2025 | NPC Playoffs | Otago | 41-17 |

Bay of Plenty bounced back from their Ranfurly Shield defeat in gameweek three, with a win over Taranaki. The Bay of Plenty were 21-7 ahead at half-time and despite two Taranaki tries shortly after the break a Nikora Broughton extended the lead out enough that a late Taranaki try would still give the Bay of Plent the victory.

## Auckland vs Bay of Plenty head-to-head record (last five matches):

| Date | Competition | Winner | Score |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 6th October 2024 | NPC | Bay of Plenty | 24-26 |
| 6th August 2023 | NPC | Auckland | 30-32 |
| 21st August 2022 | NPC | Bay of Plenty | 17-21 |
| 2nd October 2020 | NPC | Auckland | 16-20 |
| 24th August 2019 | NPC | Auckland | 19-13 |

The last five meetings between these team have been decided by less than one score with the last two games being won by two points by the away side. An away victory has taken place in the last four games.