Manawatu vs Taranaki Bulls NPC preview: Confirmed lineups, key matchups and predictions

Manawatu vs Taranaki Bulls: NPC match update

Manawatu welcome Taranaki Bulls to Central Energy Trust Arena for round seven of the NPC, with this preview updated on 28 September 2026. Both sides have won three of their six games so far this season.

Taranaki sit eighth on the table with 18 points. Manawatu are just behind in tenth, on 16. There is little to separate the two clubs on paper, even though history tells a very different story.

A home win would lift Manawatu clear of the bottom of the table. Taranaki, meanwhile, will want a result that keeps them in touch with the sides above them as the competition reaches its business end.

Team news and lineup changes for round seven

Manawatu have made four changes to their starting side. Gavigan comes in at loosehead prop, and MacDonald shifts into the number 10 jersey. Worboys drops to the bench, and Wild takes his place at fullback.

Taranaki have reshuffled their pack and back three. Lawrence and Landon-Lane swap places with Proffit and Pokai, while Sa and Poliko start in the number 5 and 6 jerseys. Ratu comes into the side on the wing.

Both sets of changes suggest coaches are still searching for their best combinations this deep into the season, with round seven a chance to settle a few positions before the run home.

Taranaki Bulls dominance in head-to-head records

Taranaki Bulls have won each of their last 10 matches against Manawatu. That run has held regardless of form or table position, and it makes Taranaki clear favourites on history alone this weekend.

Manawatu will need to end that streak if they want to close the gap on their neighbours. For now, the head-to-head record heavily favours Taranaki, even with both clubs sharing near-identical form in 2026.

What happens next

Manawatu will be hoping to build on their previous outing, covered in our previous Manawatu NPC preview, as they try to find some consistency in the middle rounds of the competition.

For the wider picture across the NPC and the international game, our latest rugby news round-up covers the main talking points from the past week.

Full build-up and analysis first appeared in our original Manawatu vs Taranaki Bulls preview, which this update carries forward with the confirmed team news above.