Magpies course set for NPC’s 50th anniversary season

The Magpies’ bid for their elusive first title has been mapped out. Photo / Kerry Marshall, Photosport

The Hawke’s Bay Magpies are set to anchor a home-ground programme around some of their longest-lasting provincial rivals as the NPC celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

In a season of five home and five away matches, the rivalry is expected to be at its McLean Park best for the matches against neighbours the Manawatū Turbos on August 21, a Friday night, and the Taranaki Bulls, on September 27, a Sunday twilight game.

The Magpies played the first NPC first division match, against Auckland, at the park on May 12, 1976, but have never won the title.

They’ve made the final just once, losing by three points to Taranaki in New Plymouth in 2023, but some mana was recovered when the Magpies won the sides’ quarter-final last year.

The Magpies’ bid for that elusive first title starts against Wellington Lions at Hnry Stadium, Wellington, on August 2.

Their last game before the playoffs is also away, against Counties Manukau Steelers at Pukekohe on October 3.

There will be just one home match against the pride of the traditional four main centres, a Friday-night match against current Ranfurly Shield holders and 2025 beaten finalists Otago on September 4.

A trip to Auckland beckons in the third weekend, but the Magpies will not play 2025 champions Canterbury unless they’re matched in the playoffs, with Waikato and Northland also not on the regular-season schedule.

Canterbury beat the Bay in a semi-final in Christchurch last year.

The first home game is against Tasman on August 8, which the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union has set aside to celebrate clubs and schools community rugby.

The Battle of the Bays against Bay of Plenty Steamers on September 19 will be in Tauranga, the third time in a row that the sides have met at Bay of Plenty HQ, going back to the 2023 semi-final won by Hawke’s Bay.

McLean Park has among the bigger average match attendances in the NPC, and HBRU commercial manager Dan Somerville said the union was “working on ways to add to the fan experience and make the games bigger and better for everyone”.

Early Bird season membership closes on March 31, at hbmagpies.flicket.co.nz/memberships.

2026 HAWKE’S BAY MAGPIES DRAW

August 2 (Sunday, 2.05pm), Wellington, at Hnry Stadium, Wellington.

August 8 (Saturday, 7.10pm), Tasman, at McLean Park, Napier.

August 15 (Saturday, 5.05pm), Auckland, at Eden Park, Auckland.

August 21 (Friday, 7.10pm), Manawatū, at McLean Park, Napier.

August 27 (Thursday, 7.10pm), Southland, at Rugby Park, Invercargill.

September 4 (Friday, 7.10pm), Otago, at McLean Park, Napier.

September 13 (Sunday, 2.05pm), North Harbour, at McLean Park, Napier.

September 19 (Saturday, 2.05pm), Bay of Plenty, at Tauranga Domain.

September 27 (Sunday 5.05pm), Taranaki, at McLean Park, Napier.

October 3 (Saturday, 5.05pm), Counties Manukau, at Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe.

Doug Laing is a Hawke’s Bay Today reporter based in Napier, with more than 50 years in journalism covering news and sports events and issues, including a match in the first year of the NPC in 1976.