Auckland vs Counties Manukau is round seven’s headline fixture at Eden Park, and this preview has been refreshed on 1 October 2026 ahead of kick-off. Auckland sit on nine points after four straight defeats, with the latest a 28-12 loss away to Taranaki. Counties Manukau arrive at Eden Park in far better shape, sitting on 11 points after a convincing win over Southland.
A home win would ease the growing pressure on Auckland. Counties Manukau, for their part, want nothing more than to keep their own push up the table firmly on track as the season enters its final stretch.
Form and standings: Auckland seek bounce-back victory
Counties Manukau sit two points clear of Auckland in the table, with the home side having managed only one win all season. Four defeats in a row have followed, the latest that 28-12 reverse away to Taranaki, and it leaves little margin for error against a side building real momentum. There is no easy way back.
Counties Manukau arrive at Eden Park full of running and plenty of form behind them. They beat Southland 47-24 on 6 September 2026, a scoreline that hinted at a dangerous attack heading into round seven, one Auckland will need to contain from the opening whistle.
Confirmed team news for round seven battle
Auckland have made two changes to the pack that started the defeat to Taranaki, with Cordukes and Clark both coming into the forward unit. The backline from that match stays exactly the same.
Counties Manukau have reshuffled their forwards too, bringing Lindenmuth and Moananu into the front row. Takai moves in at lock, and that switch pushes Ngatai-Tafau back into the loose forwards ahead of the trip to Eden Park.
Auckland vs Counties Manukau: Fixture details and kick-off time
Auckland vs Counties Manukau is confirmed for round seven of the NPC, with the match going ahead as planned at Eden Park. Kick-off is set for 2:05pm New Zealand time, which is 3:05am for supporters following along in the UK. Both sides have named their starting line-ups for the contest, and no further changes are expected before kick-off.
What happens next
Auckland will be desperate to end their losing run and settle any nerves before the closing stretch of the regular season gets under way. Counties Manukau, meanwhile, will look to build on that Southland win and keep climbing the standings.
Round seven also brings plenty of other notable fixtures across the wider competition this weekend. Our earlier look at the Bay of Plenty vs Manawatu preview covers that contest in full, and our round-up of rugby news has more from across the competition. Readers can also revisit the original match preview for the build up to this fixture and the context behind it.
