1976 National Provincial Championship

The 1976 season was the inaugural year of the National Provincial Championship (NPC), also known for sponsorship reasons as the Radio New Zealand National Championship, a provincial rugby union competition in New Zealand. Bay of Plenty were the winners of Division 1, while Taranaki and South Canterbury were the winners of Division 2 North Island and Division 2 South Island respectively.

Division 1

Standings

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	Pts
1	Bay of Plenty	10	8	1	1	195	112	+83	25	17
2	Manawatu (RS)	10	7	1	1	142	104	+38	17	15
3	Auckland	10	6	1	3	160	133	+27	19	13
4	Canterbury	10	6	0	4	153	118	+35	20	12
5	Counties	10	6	0	4	118	107	+11	20	12
6	Wellington	10	5	1	4	165	122	+43	20	11
7	Otago	10	4	2	4	106	148	+42	11	10
8	Hawke's Bay	10	4	0	6	125	130	−5	18	8
9	Marlborough	10	3	0	7	146	192	−46	19	6
10	Southland	10	2	1	7	105	161	−56	13	5
11	North Auckland	10	0	1	9	76	164	−88	8	1

Results

May

12 May 1976

Hawke's Bay	7–10	Auckland
Try: R. L. Stuart Pen: R. K. Whinham		Try: T. M. Saseve Pen: S. L. Watt Drop: M. K. Sisam

McLean Park, Napier
Referee: W. L. Adlam (Wanganui)

19 May 1976

Canterbury	23–9	Marlborough
Try: S. C. Cartwright T. W. Mitchell M. R. MacEwan J. K. Phillips Con: M. D. Heffernan (2) Pen: M. D. Heffernan		Pen: S. W. P. Marfell (3)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Referee: D. H. Millar (Otago)

June

7 June 1976

Manawatu	23–13	Wellington
Tries: D.L. Rollerson (2), K. W. Granger Con: D.L. Rollerson Pen: D.L. Rollerson (2)		Tries: G.W. Skipper Pen: C.J. Currie (2) Drop: B.W. Cederwall

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
Referee: C. P. Gregan (Waikato)

16 June 1976

Counties	12–19	Auckland
Tries: L.J. Hughes, A.G. Dalton, Patrick Yates		Tries: T.G. Morrison (2) Con: S.L. Watts Pen: S.L. Watts (2) Drop: P.J. Parlane

The Stadium, Pukekohe
Referee: I. J. Clarke (Waikato)

26 June 1976

North Auckland	3–12	Auckland
Pen: S. Semenoff		Tries: D.L. Palmer Con: S.L. Watt Pen: S.L. Watt Drop: H.K. Whiu

Okara Park, Whangārei
Referee: K. H. Lynch (Poverty Bay)

26 June 1976

Counties	4–15	Wellington
Tries: Patrick Yates		Tries: Grant Grifith Con: C.J. Currie Pen: C.J. Currie (3)

The Stadium, Pukekohe
Referee: M. G. Farnworth (Auckland)

July

3 July 1976

Bay of Plenty	9–10	Counties
Pen: T.J. Waaka (2) Drop: L.J. Brake		Tries: R.J. Palmer, H.J. Habraken Con: G.K. Taylor

The Stadium, Rotorua
Referee: D. Cooper (Poverty Bay)

8 July 1976

Manawatu	19–6	North Auckland
Tries: M.G. Watts, M.W. Donaldson, G.S. Bowater Con: D.L. Rollerson (2) Drop: D.L. Rollerson		Pen: B.H. McCarroll (2)

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
Referee: B. W. Duffy (Taranaki)

10 July 1976

Wellington	13–0	North Auckland
Tries: Stu Wilson, K.L. Phelan Con: C.J. Currie Pen: C.J. Currie

Athletic Park, Wellington
Referee: B. Williams (West Coast)

13 July 1976

Marlborough	24–17	North Auckland
Tries: D.W. Neal (2), B.P. Dwyer Con: K.G. Sutherland (3) Pen: K.G. Sutherland Drop: R.E. Gordon		Tries: P.R. Halse (2), D.A. Haynes Con: B.H. McCarroll Pen: B.H. McCarroll

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
Referee: N. C. Thomas (Manawatu)

17 July 1976

Southland	9–23	Manawatu
Tries: C.R. Davis Con: G.T. Valli Pen: G.T. Valli		Tries: P.W. Broederlow, K.G. Maharey, M.A. Wright, D.L. Rollerson Con: D.L. Rollerson (2) Drop: D.L. Rollerson

Rugby Park, Invercargill
Referee: L. Te Au (South Canterbury)

20 July 1976

Otago	0–0	Manawatu

Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin
Referee: J. G. MacDonald (North Otago)

20 July 1976

Marlborough	15–25	Auckland
Tries: D.W. Neal, M.J. Best Con: K.G. Sutherland (2) Pen: K.G. Sutherland		Tries: T.G. Morrison, H.K. Whiu, B.G. Ashworth, G.J. Rich Con: S.L. Watt (3) Pen: S.L. Watt

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
Referee: A. Creighton (Otago)

24 July 1976

Hawke's Bay	33–10	Marlborough
Tries: R.P. Hunter (3), I.G. Grant, R.P. Bremmer Con: R.D. Cox (2) Pen: R.D. Cox (3)		Tries: M.J. Best Pen: K.G. Sutherland Drop: R.E. Gordon

Nelson Park, Hastings
Referee: D. R. Buckland (Wellington)

27 July 1976

Counties	10–6	Marlborough
Tries: R.J. Palmer Pen: R.N. Lendrum Drop: R.N. Lendrum		Tries: S.W.P. Marfell Con: K.G. Sutherland

The Stadium, Pukekohe
Referee: R. C. Francis (Wairarapa Bush)

31 July 1976

Marlborough	13–24	Bay of Plenty
Tries: P.G. Neal Pen: K.G. Sutherland (3)		Tries: E.J.T. Stokes (2), J.B. Spry, Allan McNaughton, Graham Moore Con: Gregory Rowlands

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
Referee: N. B. Whittaker (Manawatu)

August

4 August 1976

Wellington	18–18	Bay of Plenty
Tries: G.W. Skipper Con: B.W. Cederwall Pen: B.W. Cederwall (4)		Pen: Gregory Rowlands (4), T.J. Waaka Drop: Gregory Rowlands

Athletic Park, Wellington
Referee: M. G. Farnworth (Auckland)

7 August 1976

Manawatu	9–28	Bay of Plenty
Pen: D.L. Rollerson (2), S.M. Murphy		Tries: E.J.T. Stokes, N.M. Taylor, J.T. Kamizona, L. Keepa Con: Gregory Rowlands (3) Pen: Gregory Rowlands (2)

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
Referee: R. J. Watson (North Auckland)

7 August 1976

Southland	9–10	Otago
Pen: G.T. Valli (2) Drop: N.J. Polson		Tries: Kenneth Mitchell Pen: B.W. Wilson Drop: B.A. Guthrie

Rugby Park, Invercargill
Referee: T. F. Doocey (Canterbury)

11 August 1976

Otago	6–18	Hawke's Bay
Pen: B.W. Wilson (2)		Tries: T.J. Carter, P.J. Ryan, D.S. McCarroll Con: R.D. Cox (3)

Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin
Referee: B. Williams (West Coast)

11 August 1976

Manawatu	15–10	Canterbury
Tries: P.W. Broederlow Con: D.L. Rollerson Pen: D.L. Rollerson (2) Drop: Brian Morris		Tries: Vance Stewart, M.D. Heffernan Con: M.D. Heffernan

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
Referee: W. L. Adlam (Wanganui)

14 August 1976

Southland	6–7	Hawke's Bay
Pen: G.T. Valli (2)		Tries:R.L. Stuart Pen: R.D. Cox

Rugby Park, Invercargill
Referee: J. Walker (Otago)

14 August 1976

North Auckland	13–21	Canterbury
Tries: M.J. Gunson Pen: B.H. McCarroll (2), R.D. Laurie		Tries: S.C. Cartwright (2), J.K. Phillips, A.C.R. Jefferd Con: M.D. Heffernan Pen: M.D. Heffernan

Okara Park, Whangārei
Referee: J. R. Innes (Counties)

17 August 1976

Bay of Plenty	12–6	Canterbury
Tries: Graham Moore Con: Gregory Rowlands Pen: Gregory Rowlands Drop: L.J. Brake		Pen: R.G. Wilson (2)

The Domain, Tauranga
Referee: K. H. Lynch (Poverty Bay)

18 August 1976

Auckland (RS)	9–9	Southland
Pen: S.L. Watt (3)		Tries: D.R. Saunders Con: G.T. Valli Pen: G.T. Valli

Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: B. W. Duffy (Taranaki)

21 August 1976

Auckland (RS)	10–12	Manawatu
Tries: Andy Haden, T.G. Morrison Con: S.L. Watt		Tries: D.L. Rollerson Con: D.A. Hales Pen: D.L. Rollerson Drop: D.L. Rollerson

Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: C. P. Gregan (Waikato)

21 August 1976

Canterbury	13–6	Hawke's Bay
Tries: A.J. Wyllie, S.C. Cartwright Con: M.D. Heffernan Pen: M.D. Heffernan		Pen: R.D. Cox (2)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Referee: G. L. Harrison (Wellington)

21 August 1976

Bay of Plenty	27–12	Southland
Tries: E.J.T. Stokes (2), P.M. Horrocks, A.C. Brown, Graham Moore Con: Gregory Rowlands, T.J. Waaka Pen: Gregory Rowlands		Tries: L.M. Rutledge Con: G.T. Valli Pen: G.T. Valli (2)

The Domain, Whakatāne
Referee: J. P. G. Pring (Auckland)

24 August 1976

Counties	12–14	Manawatu
Tries: Patrick Yates (2) Con: M.M. Codlin (2)		Tries: K.W. Granger, D.L. Rollerson, M.G. Watts Con: D.A. Hales

The Stadium, Pukekohe
Referee: L. Paul

24 August 1976

North Auckland	9–15	Southland
Tries: M.M. Dyer Con: B.H. McCarroll Pen: B.H. McCarroll		Tries: L.M. Rutledge, A.A. McGregor Con: G.T. Valli (2) Pen: G.T. Valli

Okara Park, Whangārei
Referee: K. H. Lawrence (Bay of Plenty)

28 August 1976

Auckland	28–31	Bay of Plenty
Tries: T.G. Morrison, D.N. Thorn, G.J. Rich Con: S.L. Watt (2) Pen: S.L. Watt (3) Drop: P.M. Richards		Tries: A.C. Brown, N.M. Taylor, Graham Moore Con: Gregory Rowlands (2) Pen: Gregory Rowlands (4) Drop: L.J. Brake

Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: D. H. Millar (Otago)

28 August 1976

Hawke's Bay	25–16	North Auckland
Tries: D.S. McCarroll (2), P.J. Durham (2), R.P. Hunter Con: R.D. Cox Pen: R.D. Cox		Tries: H.K. Sowman, D.A. Haynes, M.J. Gunson Con: B.H. McCarroll (2)

McLean Park, Napier
Referee: A. Bailey (Wellington)

28 August 1976

Otago	16–6	Counties
Tries: T.J. Burcher Pen: B.W. Wilson (3) Drop: B.W. Wilson		Pen: M.M. Codlin (2)

Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin
Referee: A. R. Taylor (Canterbury)

28 August 1976

Wellington	14–15	Canterbury
Tries: Stu Wilson (2) Pen: R.S. Cleland (2)		Tries: P.A. Macfie, Don Stewart Con: M.D. Heffernan (2) Pen: M.D. Heffernan

Athletic Park, Wellington
Referee: W. L. Adlam (Wanganui)

September

1 September 1976

Southland	10–19	Counties
Tries: M.A. Mitchell, G.T. Valli Con: G.T. Valli		Tries: R.N. Lendrum, Peter Clotworthy, J. Rawiri Con: R.N. Lendrum (2) Pen: R.N. Lendrum

Rugby Park, Invercargill
Referee: S. C. Miller (South Canterbury)

4 September 1976

Auckland	16–26	Otago
Tries: G.L. Colling, G.J. Rich Con: S.L. Watt Pen: S.L. Watt (2)		Tries: L.A. Clark, M.W.R. Jaffray, A.C. Barton, B.W. Wilson Con: B.W. Wilson (2) Pen: B.W. Wilson (2)

Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: P. A. McDavitt (Wellington)

4 September 1976

Hawke's Bay	13–25	Wellington
Tries: Junior Paraha, P.J. Durham Con: R.D. Cox Pen: R.D. Cox		Tries: W.G. Proctor (2), Stu Wilson (2) Con: R.S. Cleland (3) Pen: R.S. Cleland

Nelson Park, Hastings
Referee: K. H. Lynch (Poverty Bay)

4 September 1976

Canterbury	6–11	Counties
Pen: M.D. Heffernan (2)		Tries: Patrick Yates (2) Drop: R.N. Lendrum

Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Referee: B. M. Dawson (Southland)

4 September 1976

Marlborough	28–12	Southland
Tries: B.R. Ford, R.E. Gordon, John Davie, D.W. Neal Con: K.G. Sutherland (3) Pen: K.G. Sutherland Drop: K.R. Hodges		Tries: L.M. Rutledge (2) Con: G.T. Valli (2)

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
Referee: J. G. MacDonald (North Otago)

4 September 1976

North Auckland	3–17	Bay of Plenty
Pen: R.D. Laurie		Tries: Graham Moore, N.M. Taylor, Gregory Rowlands Con: Gregory Rowlands Pen: Gregory Rowlands

Okara Park, Whangārei
Referee: C. P. Gregan (Waikato)

8 September 1976

North Auckland	3–3	Otago
Pen: R.D. Laurie		Pen: B.W. Wilson

Okara Park, Whangārei
Referee: R. J. Watson (North Auckland)

12 September 1976

Canterbury	16–7	Southland
Tries: G.E. Brain Pen: M.D. Heffernan (4)		Tries: C.R. Davis Drop: B.J. McKechnie

Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Referee: D. H. Millar (Otago)

12 September 1976

Manawatu(RS)	15–3	Hawke's Bay
Tries: M.G. Watts, A.C. Innes Con: D.L. Rollerson (2) Pen: D.L. Rollerson		Pen: R.D. Cox

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
Referee: J. P. G. Pring (Auckland)

12 September 1976

Wellington	9–12	Auckland
Tries: G.W. Skipper Con: R.S. Cleland Pen: R.S. Cleland		Tries: T.G. Morrison, Andy Haden Con: S.L. Watt (2)

Athletic Park, Wellington
Referee: N. C. Thomas (Manawatu)

13 September 1976

Bay of Plenty	19–6	Otago
Tries: J.T. Kamizona, P.M. Horrocks, L.J. Brake Con: Gregory Rowlands (2) Pen: Gregory Rowlands		Pen: B.W. Wilson (2)

The Stadium, Rotorua
Referee: W. L. Adlam (Wanganui)

15 September 1976

Counties	15–6	North Auckland
Tries: E.S. McRobbie, R.N. Lendrum Con: M.M. Codlin (2) Pen: M.M. Codlin		Pen: Ross McAllister (2)

The Stadium, Pukekohe
Referee: B. W. Duffy (Taranaki)

16 September 1976

Southland	16–13	Wellington
Tries: J.W. Ellis, R.A. Ramsey, D.R. Saunders Con: G.T. Valli (2)		Tries: G.W. Skipper, W.G. Proctor Con: R.S. Cleland Pen: C.J. Currie

Rugby Park, Invercargill
Referee: B. Williams (West Coast)

18 September 1976

Auckland	19–9	Canterbury
Tries: D.N. Thorn, J.S. McLachlan Con: S.L. Watt Pen: S.L. Watt (3)		Pen: M.D. Heffernan (3)

Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: N. B. Whittaker (Manawatu)

18 September 1976

Otago	7–29	Wellington
Tries: J.S. Colling Pen: B.W. Wilson		Tries: I.N. Stevens (2), P.B. Quinn, S.S. Wilson Con: C.J. Currie (2) Pen: C.J. Currie (2) Drop: J.P. Gougan

Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin
Referee: L. Te Au (South Canterbury)

18 September 1976

Marlborough	13–12	Manawatu
Tries: John Davie, B.R. Ford Con: K.G. Sutherland Pen: K.G. Sutherland		Pen: D.L. Rollerson (3) Drop: B. Wright

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
Referee: G. L. Harrison (Wellington)

18 September 1976

Bay of Plenty	10–7	Hawke's Bay
Tries: Gregory Rowlands Pen: Gregory Rowlands (2)		Tries: D.S. McCarroll Pen: R.D. Cox

The Stadium Rotorua
Referee: J. R. Innes (Counties)

22 September 1976

Otago	20–14	Marlborough
Tries: T.J. Burcher, A.C. Barton, M.W.R. Jaffray Con: B.W. Wilson Pen: B.W. Wilson Drop: B.W. Wilson		Tries: B.R. Ford, B.A. Kenny Pen: K.G. Sutherland (2)

Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin
Referee: B. M. Dawson (Southland)

25 September 1976

Canterbury	34–12	Otago
Tries: D.J. Stewart (2), John Munro, A.C.R. Jefferd, J.C. Ashworth Con: M.D. Heffernan (4) Pen: M.D. Heffernan Drop: T.L. Mehrtens		Tries: R.A. Roy Con: B.W. Wilson Pen: B.W. Wilson (2)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Referee: A. Bailey (Wellington)

25 September 1976

Wellington	16–14	Marlborough
Tries: S.S. Wilson, W.G. Proctor Con: C.J. Currie Pen: C.J. Currie (2)		Tries: A.R. Sutherland (3) Con: K.G. Sutherland

Athletic Park, Wellington
Referee: R. C. Francis (Wairarapa Bush)

25 September 1976

Hawke's Bay	6–19	Counties
Pen: R.K. Whinham (2)		Tries: H.P. Milner (2), Patrick Yates, O.T. Burnside Drop: R.N. Lendrum

McLean Park, Napier
Referee: P. A. McDavitt (Wellington)

Division 2 (North Island)

Standings

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	Pts
1	Taranaki	8	8	0	0	209	49	+160	28	16
2	Wanganui	8	7	0	1	216	87	+129	31	14
3	King Country	8	4	1	3	110	144	−34	9	9
4	Poverty Bay	8	4	0	4	92	115	−23	11	8
5	Waikato	8	4	0	4	173	76	+97	28	8
6	Wairarapa Bush	8	4	0	4	98	107	−9	13	8
7	East Coast	8	2	0	6	41	214	−173	6	4
8	Thames Valley	8	1	1	6	70	128	−58	6	3
9	Horowhenua	8	1	0	7	94	183	−89	15	2

Results

May

8 May 1976

Horowhenua	11–12	East Coast
Tries: M.D. Nutting, L.R. Robinson Pen: L.R. Robinson		Pen: V.J. Takarangi (4)

Park Domain Oval, Levin
Referee: C. J. Pedley (Wanganui)

June

7 June 1976

Wanganui	12–32	Taranaki
Tries: R.B. Dallison Con: R.B. Barrell Pen: R.B. Barrell (2)		Tries: A.I. Scown (2), J. O'Sullivan, R.P. Wharehoka, Herbie Kowhai Con: Paul Martin (2), S.C. Davidson Drop: Paul Martin, I.J. Snook

Spriggens Park, Wanganui
Referee: N. C. Thomas (Manawatu)

16 June 1976

Waikato	23–3	Thames Valley
Tries: P.C. Gilbert (2), A.L. Clark, R.G. Myers Con: A.W. Baker (2) Pen: A.W. Baker		Pen: W.G. Bax

Rugby Park, Hamilton
Referee: H. K. Innes (North Auckland)

19 June 1976

Wanganui	45–4	Horowhenua
Tries: A.B. Middleton (2), R.B. Barrell (2), F.W. Hill, R.B. Dallison, R.R.W. Manson Con: R.B. Barrell (4) Pen: R.B. Barrell (3)		Tries: M.G. Brodie

Spriggins Park, Wanganui
Referee: K. H. Lawrence (Bay of Plenty)

26 June 1976

Thames Valley	4–12	East Coast
Tries: D.O. Strange		Tries: T.M. Keelan, W. Truman, J. McClutchie

Rugby Park, Waihi
Referee: G. R. Urbahn (North Auckland)

July

3 July 1976

East Coast	0–22	Poverty Bay
		Tries: G.R. Newlands Pen: G.B. Ross (5) Drop: G.B Ross

Uawa Domain, Tolaga Bay
Referee: L. R. Woodgate (Bay of Plenty)

14 July 1976

Thames Valley	9–9	King Country
Pen: W.G. Bax (3)		Try: M.R. Kidd Con: J.R. Barr Pen: J.R. Barr

Sports Domain, Te Aroha
Referee: I. A. Burrell (Bay of Plenty)

24 July 1976

Wanganui	28–9	King Country
Tries: R.J. Murray, R.B. Dallison, P.A. Bailey, R.B. Stafford, A.B. Middleton Con: R.B. Barrell (4)		Pen: J.R. Barr (3)

Spriggens Park, Wanganui
Referee: C. Anderson (Nelson Bays)

28 July 1976

King Country	6–3	Wairarapa Bush
Tries: P. Bowen Con: J.R. Barr		Pen: N.F. Kjestrup

The Domain, Taumarunui
Referee: G. Klatt (Counties)

31 July 1976

Waikato	7–8	Wairarapa Bush
Tries: K.M. Greene Pen: A.W. Baker		Tries: K.W. Carter (2)

Rugby Park, Hamilton
Referee: B. Marsh (Hawke's Bay)

August

7 August 1976

Horowhenua	11–16	Thames Valley
Tries: M.D. Nutting, M.G. Brodie Pen: M.G. Brodie		Tries: Pita Cherrington, D.O. Strange Con: K.D. Moloney Pen: K.D. Moloney (2)

Park Domain Oval, Levin
Referee: I. W. Diprose (Buller)

10 August 1976

Wairarapa Bush	20–11	Thames Valley
Tries: A.J. O'Neill Con: N.F. Kjestrup Pen: N.F. Kjestrup (2)		Tries: D.O. Strange, D.G. McMillan Pen: A.H. Fisher

Memorial Park, Masterton
Referee: A. Bailey (Wellington)

12 August 1976

Poverty Bay	13–6	Thames Valley
Tries: G.B. Ross, M. Whitehead Con: G.B. Ross Pen: G.B. Ross		Pen: K.D. Moloney (2)

Rugby Park, Gisborne
Referee: L. Watkins (Hawke's Bay)

14 August 1976

Wairarapa Bush	18–4	East Coast
Tries: A.J. O'Neill, R.E. Robertson Con: N.F. Kjestrup (2) Pen: N.F. Kjestrup (2)		Tries: R.N. Falcon

Rugby Park, Pahiatua
Referee: W. J. Bringans (Wellington)

14 August 1976

Taranaki	16–6	King Country
Tries: J. O'Sullivan, G.N.K. Mourie Con: S.C. Davidson Pen: S.C. Davidson (2)		Tries: M.R. Kidd Con: N.W. Pye

Rugby Park, New Plymouth
Referee: N. C. Thomas (Manawatu)

17 August 1976

Thames Valley	12–20	Wanganui
Pen: W.G. Bax (4)		Tries: R.R.W. Manson, R.B. Dallison, V.B. Patrick Con: R.B. Barrell Pen: R.B. Barrell (2)

The Domain, Paeroa
Referee: E. G. Pennell (Auckland)

18 August 1976

King Country	9–8	Poverty Bay
Tries: D.M. Flavell Con: N.W. Pye Drop: M.D. Fluker		Tries: P.J. Duncan, G.W. Allen

Island Reserve, Ōtorohanga
Referee: L. R. Woodgate (Bay of Plenty)

19 August 1976

East Coast	3–54	Wanganui
Pen: H.T. Roberts		Tries: R.J. Murray (3), V.B. Patrick (2), Douglas Patchett, R.R.W. Manson, J.E. Knofflock, penalty try Con: R.B. Barrell (6) Pen: R.B. Barrell (2)

Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
Referee: K. H. Lynch (Poverty Bay)

21 August 1976

Poverty Bay	7–17	Wanganui
Tries: R.A. Newlands Pen: John Whittle		Tries: J.E. Knofflock, Douglas Patchett Pen: R.B. Barrell (2) Drop: L.W. Stowell

Rugby Park, Gisborne
Referee: P. A. Arthur (Auckland)

21 August 1976

King Country	13–47	Waikato
Tries: M.R. Kidd, J.W. Tarrant Con: J.R. Barr Pen: J.R. Barr		Tries: R.B. Litt (2), K.J. Magill, M.B. Taylor, A.L. Clark, R.G. Myers, P.C. Gilbert Con: A.W. Baker (5) Pen: A.W. Baker (3)

The Domain, Taumarunui
Referee: H. L. Miller (Counties)

21 August 1976

Taranaki	6–3	Horowhenua
Pen: S.C. Davidson (2)		Pen: M.G. Brodie

Rugby Park, New Plymouth
Referee: C. Aitken (Nelson Bays)

26 August 1976

East Coast	0–41	Taranaki
		Tries: S.B. Brophy, D.G. Avison, R.B. McEldowney, I.M. Eliason, J. O'Sullivan, A.I. Scown Con: D.G. Avison (4) Pen: D.G. Avison (3)

Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
Referee: G. Way (Thames Valley)

28 August 1976

Poverty Bay	6–43	Taranaki
Pen: G.B. Ross (2)		Tries: R.J. Fraser (2), S.B. Brophy (2), R.P. Wharehoka Con: D.G. Avison Pen: D.G. Avison (3) Drop: I.R. Snook (4)

Rugby Park, Gisborne
Referee: I. Burrell (Bay of Plenty)

28 August 1976

Horowhenua	12–23	Wairarapa Bush
Tries: R.C. Pulowski, M.G. Brodie Con: M.G. Brodie (2)		Tries: Michael Barnes (2), B.J. McConnochie, B.B. Patrick Con: N.F. Kjestrup (2) Pen: N.F. Kjestrup

Park Domain Oval, Levin
Referee: L. D. Daines (Marlborough)

28 August 1976

Wanganui	21–7	Waikato
Tries: R.R.W. Manson, G.D. Mitchinson Con: R.B. Barrell (2) Pen: R.B. Barrell (3)		Tries: Michael Deane Pen: A.W. Baker

Spriggins Park, Wanganui
Referee: T. F. Doocey (Canterbury)

September

4 September 1976

Poverty Bay	15–14	Waikato
Tries: Nigel Shanks, S.J. Spence Con: John Whittle (2) Pen: John Whittle		Tries: C. Ormsby, R.G. Myers Drop: B. Taylor (2)

Rugby Park, Gisborne
Referee: N. B. Whittaker (Manawatu)

4 September 1976

Taranaki	42–10	Wairarapa Bush
Tries: S.B. Brophy (2), J. O'Sullivan (2), G.N.K. Mourie, D.S. Loveridge, I.M. Eliason Con: D.G. Avison (4) Pen: D.G. Avison Drop: Paul Martin		Tries: N.P. Sargent Pen: N.F. Kjestrup (2)

Rugby Park, New Plymouth
Referee: C. J. Pedley (Wairarapa Bush)

7 September 1976

East Coast	0–39	Waikato
		Tries: M.B. Taylor (2), R.B. Litt (2), K.J. Magill, P.C. Gilbert, G.L. Irwin, D.R. McGlashan Con: A.W. Baker (2) Pen: A.W. Baker

Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
Referee: V. Thurston (Hawke's Bay)

8 September 1976

King Country	29–23	Horowhenua
Tries: M.R. Kidd (3), Graham Potaka, N.W. Pye, D.M. Flavell Con: M.J. Lang (3) Pen: M.J. Lang		Tries: P.L. Martin (2), M.D. Nutting, J.W. Luoni Con: M.G. Brodie (2) Pen: M.G. Brodie

Rugby Park, Te Kūiti
Referee: C. W. Alford (King Country)

11 September 1976

Waikato	33–7	Horowhenua
Tries: C. Ormsby (2), K.M. Greene (2), J.W. O'Rourke Con: R.B. Litt (2) Pen: R.B. Litt (3)		Tries: M.D. Nutting Pen: M.G. Brodie

Rugby Park, Hamilton
Referee: P. R. Harpur (King Country)

11 September 1976

Wairarapa Bush	3–6	Poverty Bay
Pen: N.F. Kjestrup		Tries: G.R. Newlands Con: John Whittle

Memorial Park, Masterton
Referee: J. G. O. Stubbs (King Country)

15 September 1976

Horowhenua	23–15	Poverty Bay
Tries: M.D. Nutting (3), G.H. Hobson Con: M.G. Brodie (2) Pen: M.G. Brodie		Tries: G.W. Thompson, B.H. Sherriff Con: G.B. Ross (2) Pen: G.B. Ross

Park Domain Oval, Levin
Referee: J. Luckin (Taranaki)

16 September 1976

Thames Valley	9–20	Taranaki
Tries: Huia Martin Con: W.G. Bax Pen: W.G. Bax (3)		Tries: D.S. Loveridge, J. O'Sullivan Pen: D.G. Avison (3) Drop: I.R. Snook

Rugby Park, Waihi
Referee: K. H. Lawrence (Bay of Plenty)

18 September 1976

Wairarapa Bush	13–19	Wanganui
Tries: B.B. Patrick Pen: N.F. Kjestrup (3)		Tries: R.B. Barrell, R.J. Murray Con: R.B. Barrell Pen: R.B. Barrell (3)

Memorial Park, Masterton
Referee: L. Auckram (Horowhenua)

18 September 1976

Waikato	3–9	Taranaki
Pen: A.W. Baker		Tries: G.N.K. Mourie Con: D.G. Avison Pen: Paul Martin

Rugby Park, Hamilton
Referee: R. J. Watson (North Auckland)

18 September 1976

King Country	25–10	East Coast
Tries: B.W. Donovan (2), M.R. Kidd, R.J. Takiari Con: M.J. Lang (3) Pen: I.A. McDonald		Tries: J. Morice, H. Reedy Con: H.T. Roberts

Island Reserve, Ōtorohanga
Referee: L. R. Woodgate (Bay of Plenty)

Division 2 (South Island)

Standings

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	Pts
1	South Canterbury	5	4	0	1	103	39	+64	14	8
2	Buller	5	3	0	2	64	40	+24	9	6
3	Nelson Bays	5	3	0	2	72	77	−5	11	6
4	Mid Canterbury	5	2	1	2	50	55	−5	6	5
5	West Coast	5	1	1	3	59	63	−4	6	3
6	North Otago	5	1	0	4	41	115	−74	6	2

Results

June

7 June 1976

Buller	9–14	Nelson Bays
Tries: C.F. Cochrane Con: G.W. Hart Pen: G.W. Hart		Tries: S.W. Robertson, P.A. Burgess, R. Neighbours Con: M. Hodgson

Victoria Square, Westport
Referee: J. G. MacDonald (North Otago)

July

17 July 1976

Nelson Bays	17–14	Mid Canterbury
Tries: C.C. Haigh (2) Pen: W.B. Lucre (3)		Tries: Peter MacGregor, M.H.L. Tapley Pen: M.H.L. Tapley (2)

Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Referee: L. Auckram (Horowhenua)

21 July 1976

Buller	6–7	Mid Canterbury
Pen: G.W. Hart (2)		Tries: M.H.L. Tapley Pen: M.H.L. Tapley

Victoria Square, Westport
Referee: T. K. Armstrong (Canterbury)

24 July 1976

West Coast	9–9	Mid Canterbury
Tries: G.J. Cook Con: R.F. Nelson Pen: R.F. Nelson		Pen: M.H.L. Tapley

Cass Square, Hokitika
Referee: P. R. Harpur (King Country)

31 July 1976

West Coast	6–16	Buller
Pen: R.F. Nelson		Tries: C.A. Fussell, P.G. Alexander Con: G.W. Hart Pen: G.W. Hart (2)

Rugby Park, Greymouth
Referee: G. Way (Thames Valley)

August

7 August 1976

Nelson Bays	24–3	North Otago
Tries: S.W. Robertson, W.B. Lucre, C.C. Haigh, G. Organ Con: W.B. Lucre Pen: W.B. Lucre (2)		Pen: P.R. Whyte

Rugby Park, Motueka
Referee: R. A. Brown (Wairarapa Bush)

14 August 1976

Mid Canterbury	17–13	North Otago
Tries: A.J. Grieve (2), M.H.L. Tapley Con: M.H.L. Tapley Pen: M.H.L. Tapley		Tries: R.J. May, P.R. Whyte Con: P.R. Whyte Pen: P.R. Whyte

Showgrounds, Ashburton
Referee: L. M. Craven (Marlborough)

14 August 1976

South Canterbury	15–9	West Coast
Tries: R.S. Heron Con: D.A. Nicol Pen: D.A. Nicol (3)		Tries: C.R. Skates Con: R.F. Nelson Pen: R.F. Nelson

Fraser Park, Timaru
Referee: K. McLoughlin (Otago)

17 August 1976

North Otago	16–7	West Coast
Tries: P. Johnson, P.R. Whyte, W.J. Cooper Con: P.R. Whyte (2)		Tries: B.G. Davidson Pen: R.F. Nelson

Centennial Park, Oamaru
Referee: M. Jarvis (Southland)

21 August 1976

Buller	14–7	South Canterbury
Tries: A.M. Mundy (2), J.R. Dickson Con: G.W. Hart		Tries: R.S. Heron Pen: D.A. Nicol

Victoria Square, Westport
Referee: R. C. Francis (Wairarapa Bush)

24 August 1976

Nelson Bays	10–23	South Canterbury
Tries: G.J. Lummis Pen: W.B. Lucre (2)		Tries: P.J. Grant, R.S. Heron, A.M. McLaren Con: D.A. Nicol Pen: D.A. Nicol (3)

Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Referee: B. G. Whale (Wairarapa Bush)

September

4 September 1976

Mid Canterbury	3–10	South Canterbury
Pen: M.H.L. Tapley		Tries: R.S. Heron Pen: D.A. Nicol Drop: A.M. Goddard

Showgrounds, Ashburton
Referee: A. Creighton (Otago)

4 September 1976

Nelson Bays	7–28	West Coast
Tries: C.C. Haigh Pen: W.B. Lucre		Tries: G.J. Cook (2), J.A. Steffan Con: R.F. Nelson (2) Pen: R.F. Nelson (2) Drop: R.F. Nelson, G.J. Cook

Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Referee: A. W. Lilley (Mid Canterbury)

11 September 1976

South Canterbury	48–3	North Otago
Tries: R.S. Heron (2), G.D. Hannan (2), I.D. Palmer, A.M. McLaren, N.F. Richards, Paul Hewitson Con: D.A. Nicol (5) Pen: D.A. Nicol (2)		Pen: P.R. Whyte

Fraser Park, Timaru
Referee: M. Jarvis (Southland)

18 September 1976

North Otago	6–19	Buller
Tries: Richard McNamara Con: B. Simpson		Tries: A.M. Mundy (2), L.W. Kearns Con: T.G. Aldridge Pen: T.G. Aldridge (2)

Centennial Park, Oamaru
Referee: A. Gormack (Southland)

Promotion/relegation matches

As North Auckland came last in Division 1, the unbeaten winners of Division 2 (North Island), Taranaki, were promoted to Division 1 to replace them.

South Canterbury won Division 2 (South Island), giving them a promotion play-off against Southland; they lost the game 24–11 remained in Division 2.

References

thesilverfern.co.nz

National Provincial Championship (1976–2005)

Seasons

1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
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2004
2005