Hawke’s Bay vs North Harbour is the standout fixture of round seven in the NPC, with this preview updated on 30 September 2026. Hawke’s Bay remain the only unbeaten side in the competition, sitting top of the table with a perfect 30 points from six matches. North Harbour arrive at McLean Park fourth on the ladder, having won four of their six games so far.
Match preview and updated standings
The standings tell their own story heading into this round. Hawke’s Bay have taken maximum points from every fixture, a record no other side in the competition can match this season.
North Harbour sit fourth with 24 points from six games. Four wins and two defeats have kept them well inside the top-four picture, and a result at McLean Park would strengthen that position further.
Form guide and previous round results
Hawke’s Bay head into round seven off the back of a 35-24 win over Otago, a scoreline that kept their unbeaten run intact. It was the sort of controlled performance that has defined their season so far.
North Harbour’s form has been just as eye-catching, if higher scoring. They beat Northland 57-42 in their last outing, following on from North Harbour’s previous NPC outing against Canterbury. Elsewhere in the competition, results such as Bay of Plenty’s recent NPC fixture show just how tight the table remains outside the top two.
Hawke’s Bay vs North Harbour match overview and team context
Hawke’s Bay host North Harbour at McLean Park in round seven, with the unbeaten leaders defending their 100 per cent record against a side pushing hard for a top-four finish. Hawke’s Bay’s 30 points from six wins put them clear at the top, while North Harbour’s 24 points from four wins keep them fourth.
The context either side brings is clear enough. Hawke’s Bay have won every game without needing to change their approach, and their 35-24 victory over Otago showed a team comfortable managing a lead. North Harbour, by contrast, have shown they can win in a shootout, as their 57-42 result against Northland proved.
That contrast in styles sets up an intriguing test at McLean Park. An unbeaten home side built on control meets a visiting team capable of scoring heavily when the game opens up.
What happens next
No team news or confirmed selections have been released for either side ahead of round seven. Any changes to the matchday squads will be reported once they are officially confirmed.
What is certain is the shape of the table. Hawke’s Bay’s perfect record and North Harbour’s push from fourth place make this one of the more significant fixtures of the round. Further detail on the build-up can be found in our original match update.
