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Christian Lio-Willie returns to the Otago side for their NPC match away to Wellington this weekend

Christian Lio-Willie returns to the Otago side for their NPC match away to Wellington this weekend

13 August 2025

Lio-Willie, after missing All Blacks selection for the Rugby Championship after two tests against France, was rested last week against Hawke's Bay.

New Zealand under-20s halfback Dylan Pledger has been given his first NPC start for Otago.

Elsewhere, wing Caleb Tangitau has been named on Auckland's bench for their Saturday afternoon home game against Taranaki, having been out of rugby since the start of April when he suffered a groin injury playing for the Highlanders.

Captain David Havili moves to fullback for Tasman's visit to Northland, with Leicester Fainga'anuku starting at centre after returning to New Zealand rugby last week off the wing.

NPC COVERAGE WITH ENZED SAFETY BLACKWOODS. TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

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Other Rugby News

30 Aug: Canterbury are showing no signs of relinquishing their dominance of the 20-25 men's NPC

30 Aug: The Canterbury men's rugby team have maintained their unbeaten run in the NPC

30 Aug: South Africa may not have been at their best so far in an up-and-down Rugby Championship but a former Springbok is tipping his old side to get up big-time for the All Blacks

30 Aug: A rare NPC feat will be celebrated at Rangiora this afternoon with hooker Ben Funnell to bring up 100 games for Canterbury

30 Aug: The presence of injured loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker has motivated the Black Ferns ahead of their second Rugby World Cup game against Japan

29 Aug: A potential remedy to one of the All Blacks' Achilles heels in 20-25 is back on the rugby field this weekend

29 Aug: The Wellington Phoenix have reacted to missing out on the inaugural OFC Professional League in 20-26 ... calling their omission "nonsensical"

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Canterbury are showing no signs of relinquishing their dominance of the 20-25 men's NPC More...

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A road freight association's raising concerns a yet-to-be-strengthened Hawkes Bay bridge's costing the region millions 18:57

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Canterbury are showing no signs of relinquishing their dominance of the 20-25 men's NPC 18:37

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Tennis:
To the US tennis Open, where Brit Cameron Norrie's lost his seventh match from seven outings against Novak Djokovic 17:37

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Motoring:
High winds are expected on Auckland's Harbour Bridge through to nine this evening 16:17

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