The Wellington Lions advance to the National Provincial Championship semifinals for a third straight season.

A total of 14 players from the All Blacks squad announced this week will be available to represent their teams in the NPC quarterfinals.

A large group of the All Blacks squad will return to National Provincial Championship action this weekend.

Counties Manukau have caused the biggest shock result of the National Provincial Championship season.

The Farah Palmer Cup's Championship final is set, while two of four Premiership semifinalists are locked in.

Before the Ranfurly Shield changed hands, the same happened with the JJ Stewart Memorial Trophy.

Taranaki have won their third straight match in the National Provincial Championship, perhaps fortuitously.

Counties Manukau Heat scamper eight points clear at the top of the FPC Premiership after four rounds.

The Tasman Mako posted fourth straight victory of the NPC season, while Auckland suffer fourth loss.

There were narrow victories for Wellington, Bay of Plenty and Waikato in the last matches of NPC Round 2.

Bay of Plenty have made it two wins in five days to start their National Provincial Championship season.

Defending champions Taranaki have started the new NPC season where they left off the last.

The 2024 NPC starts this weekend, with seven games played the country and Taranaki the defending champions.