Who are the favourites to retain the National Provincial Championship crown for 2026?

By Peter Ryan

A new NPC (National Provincial Championship) season is fast approaching and Canterbury will be looking to defend their crown.

As the club enters its next chapter, a new era is upon us.

The combination of international players and rising stars makes Canterbury the team to beat heading into the season.

The message from the bookmakers is unmistakable. At 5/2, they enter as the clear favourites and the side with the biggest target on their backs.

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Canterbury’s NPC dominance and rich history

Canterbury has a tremendous history, founded in 1879 and joining the NPC competition 97 years later.

They have enjoyed a great deal of success, winning the NPC title 14 times. Canterbury’s legacy is reflected in the extraordinary players it has produced.

From Richie McCaw and Dan Carter to Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Joe Moody and Codie Taylor, the club has helped shape generations of New Zealand rugby.

2025 saw another title head to Canterbury. Finishing top of the table, they tallied 42 points over the campaign.

They amassed eight wins, one draw and one loss in 10 games.

A team that knows how to put points on the board, they scored 326 points across the league while conceding 168.

What truly stood out was their impressive late-season form, winning four out of five games.

The side will be looking to add more titles and build on an iconic history.

Why Canterbury are the team to beat in the NPC

Canterbury head into the competition with a squad packed with talent, led by Alex Robertson, who will be supported by Kieran Coll, Dan Cron and Ryan Crotty.

The forward pack is filled with international talent. Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell and Daniel Lienert-Brown will be looking to make a massive impact come scrum time.

Veteran hooker Codie Taylor will be the heart of the pack. Sam Derry and Cullen Grace will also be vital players for Canterbury.

The biggest story is at fly-half, where Richie Mo’unga will return to New Zealand to compete for Canterbury.

The move could boost his chances of returning to the All Blacks.

The 56-cap international will look to display his talent as the race to become New Zealand’s first-choice World Cup first five-eighth heats up.

Canterbury’s backline is packed with talent and experience, with the likes of Dallas McLeod and Johnny McNicholl in the squad.

Canterbury NPC title odds and betting outlook

As mentioned earlier, Canterbury enter the league as favourites at odds of 5/2, and with this squad, it is hard to argue against that.

According to the bookmakers, their nearest challengers are Taranaki at 9/2. Tasman and Otago both follow at 5/1.

It promises to be a fascinating season of NPC action.

Canterbury have the pedigree, the players and the belief to go all the way.

Now the challenge is to deliver when it matters most and prove once again why they remain one of the great forces in the game

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