The National Provincial Championship, also known in short as the NPC or commercially known as the 'Radio New Zealand National Championship', was the predecessor to the current ITM Cup and Heartland Championship in New Zealand rugby. 1976 was the first year of the National Provincial Championship, 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
These were the NPC Division 1 standings for the 1976 season.
Radio New Zealand National Championship 1976 Division 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||
Games
May 1976
| 12 May 1976 | Hawke's Bay | 7 – 10 | Auckland | McLean Park, Napier | ||
| Try: R.L. Stuart Pen: R.K. Whinham | Try: T.M. Saseve Pen: S.L. Watt Drop: M.K. Sisam | Referee: W.L. Adlam (Wanganui) |
| 19 May 1976 | Canterbury | 23 – 9 | Marlborough | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | ||
| 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) | Referee: D.H. Millar (Otago) |
June 1976
| 7 June 1976 | Manawatu | 23 – 13 | Wellington | Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North | ||
| Tries: D.L. Rollerson (2), K. W. Granger Con: D.L. Rollerson | Tries: G.W. Skipper Pen: C.J. Currie (2) | Referee: C.P. Gregan ( Waikato ) |
| 16 June 1976 | Counties | 12 – 19 | Auckland | The Stadium, Pukekohe | ||
| Tries: L.J. Hughes, A.G. Dalton, Patrick Yates | Tries: T.G. Morrison (2) Con: S.L. Watts | Referee: I.J. Clarke ( Waikato) |
| 26 June 1976 | North Auckland | 3 – 12 | Auckland | Okara Park Stadium, Whangarei | ||
| Pen: S. Semenoff | Tries: D.L. Palmer Con: S.L. Watt | Referee: K.H. Lynch ( Poverty Bay) |
| 26 June 1976 | Counties | 4 – 15 | Wellington | The Stadium, Pukekohe | ||
| Tries: Patrick Yates | Tries: Grant Grifith Con: C.J. Currie | Referee: M.G. Farnworth ( Auckland) |
July 1976
| 3 July 1976 | Bay of Plenty | 9 – 10 | Counties | The Stadium, Rotorua | ||
| Pen: T.J. Waaka (2) Drop: L.J. Brake | Tries: R.J. Palmer, H.J. Habraken Con: G.K. Taylor | Referee: D. Cooper ( Poverty Bay) |
| 8 July 1976 | Manawatu | 19 – 6 | North Auckland | Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North | ||
| Tries: M.G. Watts, M.W. Donaldson, G.S. Bowater Con: D.L. Rollerson (2) | Pen: B.H. McCarroll (2) | Referee: B.W. Duffy ( Taranaki) |
| 10 July 1976 | Wellington | 13 – 0 | North Auckland | Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
| Tries: Stu Wilson, K.L. Phelan Con: C.J. Currie | Referee: B. Williams ( West Coast) |
| 13 July 1976 | Marlborough | 24 – 17 | North Auckland | Lansdowne Park, Blenheim | ||
| Tries: D.W. Neal (2), B.P. Dwyer Con: K.G. Sutherland (3) | Tries: P.R. Halse (2), D.A. Haynes Con: B.H. McCarroll | Referee: N.C. Thomas ( Manawatu) |
| 17 July 1976 | Southland | 9 – 23 | Manawatu | Rugby Park, Invercargill | ||
| Tries: C.R. Davis Con: G.T. Valli | Tries: P.W. Broederlow, K.G. Maharey, M.A. Wright, D.L. Rollerson Con: D.L. Rollerson (2) | 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 | Lansdowne Park, Blenheim | ||
| Tries: D.W. Neal, M.J. Best Con: K.G. Sutherland (2) | Tries: T.G. Morrison, H.K. Whiu, B.G. Ashworth, G.J. Rich Con: S.L. Watt (3) | Referee: A. Creighton ( Otago) |
| 24 July 1976 | Hawke's Bay | 33 – 10 | Marlborough | Nelson Park, Hastings | ||
| Tries: R.P. Hunter (3), I.G. Grant, R.P. Bremmer Con: R.D. Cox (2) | Tries: M.J. Best Pen: K.G. Sutherland | Referee: D.R. Buckland ( Wellington) |
| 27 July 1976 | Counties | 10 – 6 | Marlborough | The Stadium, Pukekohe | ||
| Tries: R.J. Palmer Pen: R.N. Lendrum | Tries: S.W.P. Marfell Con: K.G. Sutherland | Referee: R.C. Francis ( Wairarapa Bush) |
| 31 July 1976 | Marlborough | 13 – 24 | Bay of Plenty | Lansdowne Park, Blenheim | ||
| 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 | Referee: N.B. Whittaker ( Manawatu) |
August 1976
| 4 August 1976 | Wellington | 18 – 18 | Bay of Plenty | Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
| Tries: G.W. Skipper Con: B.W. Cederwall | Pen: Gregory Rowlands (4), T.J. Waaka Drop: Gregory Rowlands | Referee: M.G. Farnworth ( Auckland) |
| 7 August 1976 | Manawatu | 9 – 28 | Bay of Plenty | Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North | ||
| 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) | Referee: R.J. Watson ( North Auckland) |
| 7 August 1976 | Southland | 9 – 10 | Otago | Rugby Park, Invercargill | ||
| Pen: G.T. Valli (2) Drop: N.J. Polson | Tries: Kenneth Mitchell Pen: B.W. Wilson | Referee: T.F. Doocey ( Canterbury) |
| 11 August 1976 | Otago | 6 – 18 | Hawke's Bay | Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin | ||
| Pen: B.W. Wilson (2) | Tries: T.J. Carter, P.J. Ryan, D.S. McCarroll Con: R.D. Cox (3) | Referee: B. Williams ( West Coast) |
| 11 August 1976 | Manawatu | 15 – 10 | Canterbury | Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North | ||
| Tries: P.W. Broederlow Con: D.L. Rollerson | Tries: Vance Stewart, M.D. Heffernan Con: M.D. Heffernan | Referee: W.L. Adlam ( Wanganui) |
| 14 August 1976 | Southland | 6 – 7 | Hawke's Bay | Rugby Park, Invercargill | ||
| Pen: G.T. Valli (2) | Tries:R.L. Stuart Pen: R.D. Cox | Referee: J. Walker ( Otago) |
| 14 August 1976 | North Auckland | 13 – 21 | Canterbury | Okara Park Stadium, Whangarei | ||
| 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 | Referee: J.R. Innes ( Counties) |
| 17 August 1976 | Bay of Plenty | 12 – 6 | Canterbury | The Domain, Tauranga | ||
| Tries: Graham Moore Con: Gregory Rowlands | Pen: R.G. Wilson (2) | Referee: K.H. Lynch ( Poverty Bay) |
| 18 August 1976 | Auckland (RS) | 9 – 9 | Southland | Eden Park, Auckland | ||
| Pen: S.L. Watt (3) | Tries: D.R. Saunders Con: G.T. Valli | Referee: B.W. Duffy ( Taranaki) |
| 21 August 1976 | Auckland (RS) | 10 – 12 | Manawatu | Eden Park, Auckland | ||
| Tries: Andy Haden, T.G. Morrison Con: S.L. Watt | Tries: D.L. Rollerson Con: D.A. Hales | Referee: C.P. Gregan ( Waikato ) |
| 21 August 1976 | Canterbury | 13 – 6 | Hawke's Bay | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | ||
| Tries: A.J. Wyllie, S.C. Cartwright Con: M.D. Heffernan | Pen: R.D. Cox (2) | Referee: G.L. Harrison ( Wellington) |
| 21 August 1976 | Bay of Plenty | 27 – 12 | Southland | The Domain, Whakatane | ||
| Tries: E.J.T. Stokes (2), P.M. Horrocks, A.C. Brown, Graham Moore Con: Gregory Rowlands, T.J. Waaka | Tries: L.M. Rutledge Con: G.T. Valli | Referee: J.P.G. Pring (Auckland) |
| 24 August 1976 | Counties | 12 – 14 | Manawatu | The Stadium, Pukekohe | ||
| Tries: Patrick Yates (2) Con: M.M. Codlin (2) | Tries: K.W. Granger, D.L. Rollerson, M.G. Watts Con: D.A. Hales | Referee: L. Paul |
| 24 August 1976 | North Auckland | 9 – 15 | Southland | Okara Park Stadium, Whangarei | ||
| Tries: M.M. Dyer Con: B.H. McCarroll | Tries: L.M. Rutledge, A.A. McGregor Con: G.T. Valli (2) | Referee: K.H. Lawrence ( Bay of Plenty) |
| 28 August 1976 | Auckland | 28 – 31 | Bay of Plenty | Eden Park, Auckland | ||
| Tries: T.G. Morrison, D.N. Thorn, G.J. Rich Con: S.L. Watt (2) | Tries: A.C. Brown, N.M. Taylor, Graham Moore Con: Gregory Rowlands (2) | Referee: D.H. Millar ( Otago) |
| 28 August 1976 | Hawke's Bay | 25 – 16 | North Auckland | McLean Park, Napier | ||
| Tries: D.S. McCarroll (2), P.J. Durham (2), R.P. Hunter Con: R.D. Cox | Tries: H.K. Sowman, D.A. Haynes, M.J. Gunson Con: B.H. McCarroll (2) | Referee: A. Bailey ( Wellington) |
| 28 August 1976 | Otago | 16 – 6 | Counties | Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin | ||
| Tries: T.J. Burcher Pen: B.W. Wilson (3) | Pen: M.M. Codlin (2) | Referee: A.R. Taylor ( Canterbury) |
| 28 August 1976 | Wellington | 14 – 15 | Canterbury | Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
| Tries: Stu Wilson (2) Pen: R.S. Cleland (2) | Tries: P.A. Macfie, Don Stewart Con: M.D. Heffernan (2) | Referee: W.L. Adlam ( Wanganui) |
September 1976
| 1 September 1976 | Southland | 10 – 19 | Counties | Rugby Park, Invercargill | ||
| Tries: M.A. Mitchell, G.T. Valli Con: G.T. Valli | Tries: R.N. Lendrum, Peter Clotworthy, J. Rawiri Con: R.N. Lendrum (2) | Referee: S.C. Miller ( South Canterbury) |
| 4 September 1976 | Auckland | 16 – 26 | Otago | Eden Park, Auckland | ||
| Tries: G.L. Colling, G.J. Rich Con: S.L. Watt | Tries: L.A. Clark, M.W.R. Jaffray, A.C. Barton, B.W. Wilson Con: B.W. Wilson (2) | Referee: P.A. McDavitt ( Wellington) |
| 4 September 1976 | Hawke's Bay | 13 – 25 | Wellington | Nelson Park, Hastings | ||
| Tries: Junior Paraha, P.J. Durham Con: R.D. Cox | Tries: W.G. Proctor (2), Stu Wilson (2) Con: R.S. Cleland (3) | Referee: K.H. Lynch ( Poverty Bay) |
| 4 September 1976 | Canterbury | 6 – 11 | Counties | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | ||
| Pen: M.D. Heffernan (2) | Tries: Patrick Yates (2) Drop: R.N. Lendrum | Referee: B.M. Dawson ( Southland) |
| 4 September 1976 | Marlborough | 28 – 12 | Southland | Lansdowne Park, Blenheim | ||
| Tries: B.R. Ford, R.E. Gordon, John Davie, D.W. Neal Con: K.G. Sutherland (3) | Tries: L.M. Rutledge (2) Con:G.T. Valli (2) | Referee: J.G. Macdonald ( North Otago) |
| 4 September 1976 | North Auckland | 3 – 17 | Bay of Plenty | Okara Park Stadium, Whangarei | ||
| Pen: R.D. Laurie | Tries: Graham Moore, N.M. Taylor, Gregory Rowlands Con: Gregory Rowlands | Referee: C.P. Gregan ( Waikato ) |
| 8 September 1976 | North Auckland | 3 – 3 | Otago | Okara Park Stadium, Whangarei | ||
| Pen: R.D. Laurie | Pen: B.W. Wilson | Referee: R.J. Watson ( North Auckland) |
| 12 September 1976 | Canterbury | 16 – 7 | Southland | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | ||
| Tries: G.E. Brain Pen: M.D. Heffernan (4) | Tries: C.R. Davis Drop: B.J. McKechnie | Referee: D.H. Millar ( Otago) |
| 12 September 1976 | Manawatu(RS) | 15 – 3 | Hawke's Bay | Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North | ||
| Tries: M.G. Watts, A.C. Innes Con: D.L. Rollerson (2) | Pen: R.D. Cox | Referee: J.P.G. Pring ( Auckland) |
| 12 September 1976 | Wellington | 9 – 12 | Auckland | Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
| Tries: G.W. Skipper Con: R.S. Cleland | Tries: T.G. Morrison, Andy Haden Con: S.L. Watt (2) | Referee: N.C. Thomas ( Manawatu) |
| 13 September 1976 | Bay of Plenty | 19 – 6 | Otago | The Stadium, Rotorua | ||
| Tries: J.T. Kamizona, P.M. Horrocks, L.J. Brake Con: Gregory Rowlands (2) | Pen: B.W. Wilson (2) | Referee: W.L. Adlam ( Wanganui) |
| 15 September 1976 | Counties | 15 – 6 | North Auckland | The Stadium, Pukekohe | ||
| Tries: E.S. McRobbie, R.N. Lendrum Con: M.M. Codlin (2) | Pen: Ross McAllister (2) | Referee: B.W. Duffy ( Taranaki) |
| 16 September 1976 | Southland | 16 – 13 | Wellington | Rugby Park, Invercargill | ||
| 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 | Referee: B. Williams ( West Coast) |
| 18 September 1976 | Auckland | 19 – 9 | Canterbury | Eden Park, Auckland | ||
| Tries: D.N. Thorn, J.S. McLachlan Con: S.L. Watt | Pen: M.D. Heffernan (3) | Referee: N.B. Whittaker ( Manawatu) |
| 18 September 1976 | Otago | 7 – 29 | Wellington | Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin | ||
| Tries: J.S. Colling Pen: B.W. Wilson | Tries: I.N. Stevens (2), P.B. Quinn, S.S. Wilson Con: C.J. Currie (2) | Referee: L. Te Au ( South Canterbury) |
| 18 September 1976 | Marlborough | 13 – 12 | Manawatu | Lansdowne Park, Blenheim | ||
| Tries: John Davie, B.R. Ford Con: K.G. Sutherland | Pen: D.L. Rollerson (3) Drop: B. Wright | Referee: G.L. Harrison ( Wellington) |
| 18 September 1976 | Bay of Plenty | 10 – 7 | Hawke's Bay | The Stadium Rotorua | ||
| Tries: Gregory Rowlands Pen: Gregory Rowlands (2) | Tries: D.S. McCarroll Pen: R.D. Cox | Referee: J.R. Innes ( Counties) |
| 22 September 1976 | Otago | 20 – 14 | Marlborough | Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin | ||
| Tries: T.J. Burcher, A.C. Barton, M.W.R. Jaffray Con: B.W. Wilson | Tries: B.R. Ford, B.A. Kenny Pen: K.G. Sutherland (2) | Referee: B.M. Dawson ( Southland) |
| 25 September 1976 | Canterbury | 34 – 12 | Otago | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | ||
| Tries: D.J. Stewart (2), John Munro, A.C.R. Jefferd, J.C. Ashworth Con: M.D. Heffernan (4) | Tries: R.A. Roy Con: B.W. Wilson | Referee: A. Bailey ( Wellington) |
| 25 September 1976 | Wellington | 16 – 14 | Marlborough | Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
| Tries: S.S. Wilson, W.G. Proctor Con: C.J. Currie | Tries: A.R. Sutherland (3) Con: K.G. Sutherland | Referee: R.C. Francis ( Wairarapa Bush) |
| 25 September 1976 | Hawke's Bay | 6 – 19 | Counties | McLean Park, Napier | ||
| Pen: R.K. Whinham (2) | Tries: H.P. Milner (2), Patrick Yates, O.T. Burnside Drop: R.N. Lendrum | Referee: P.A. McDavitt ( Wellington) |
Division 2 (North Island)
Standings
These were the NPC Division 2 standings (North Island) for the 1976 season.
Radio New Zealand National Championship 1976 Division 2 (North Island) | ||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||
Games
May 1976
| 8 May 1976 | Horowhenua | 11 – 12 | East Coast | Park Domain Oval, Levin | ||
| Tries: M.D. Nutting, L.R. Robinson Pen: L.R. Robinson | Pen: V.J. Takarangi (4) | Referee: C.J. Pedley ( Wanganui ) |
June 1976
| 7 June 1976 | Wanganui | 12 – 32 | Taranaki | Spriggens Park, Wanganui | ||
| Tries: R.B. Dallison Con: R.B. Barrell | Tries: A.I. Scown (2), J. O'Sullivan, R.P. Wharehoka, Herbie Kowhai Con: Paul Martin (2), S.C. Davidson | Referee: N.C. Thomas ( Manawatu) |
| 16 June 1976 | Waikato | 23 – 3 | Thames Valley | Rugby Park, Hamilton | ||
| Tries: P.C. Gilbert (2), A.L. Clark, R.G. Myers Con: A.W. Baker (2) | Pen: W.G. Bax | Referee: H.K. Innes ( North Auckland) |
| 19 June 1976 | Wanganui | 45 – 4 | Horowhenua | Spriggins Park, Wanganui | ||
| Tries: A.B. Middleton (2), R.B. Barrell (2), F.W. Hill, R.B. Dallison, R.R.W. Manson Con: R.B. Barrell (4) | Tries: M.G. Brodie | Referee: K.H. Lawrence ( Bay of Plenty) |
| 26 June 1976 | Thames Valley | 4 – 12 | East Coast | Rugby Park, Waihi | ||
| Tries: D.O. Strange | Tries: T.M. Keelan, W. Truman, J. McClutchie | Referee: G.R. Urbahn ( North Auckland) |
July 1976
| 3 July 1976 | East Coast | 0 – 22 | Poverty Bay | Uawa Domain, Tolaga Bay | ||
| Tries: G.R. Newlands Pen: G.B. Ross (5) | Referee: L.R. Woodgate ( Bay of Plenty) |
| 14 July 1976 | Thames Valley | 9 – 9 | King Country | Sports Domain, Te Aroha | ||
| Pen: W.G. Bax (3) | Try: M.R. Kidd Con: J.R. Barr | Referee: I.A. Burrell ( Bay of Plenty) |
| 24 July 1976 | Wanganui | 28 – 9 | King Country | Spriggens Park, Wanganui | ||
| 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) | Referee: C. Anderson ( Nelson Bays) |
| 28 July 1976 | King Country | 6 – 3 | Wairarapa Bush | The Domain, Taumarunui | ||
| Tries: P. Bowen Con: J.R. Barr | Pen: N.F. Kjestrup | Referee: G. Klatt ( Counties) |
| 31 July 1976 | Waikato | 7 – 8 | Wairarapa Bush | Rugby Park, Hamilton | ||
| Tries: K.M. Greene Pen: A.W. Baker | Tries: K.W. Carter (2) | Referee: B. Marsh ( Hawke's Bay) |
August 1976
| 7 August 1976 | Horowhenua | 11 – 16 | Thames Valley | Park Domain Oval, Levin | ||
| Tries: M.D. Nutting, M.G. Brodie Pen: M.G. Brodie | Tries: Pita Cherrington, D.O. Strange Con: K.D. Moloney | Referee: I.W. Diprose (.png){kind=small} Buller) |
| 10 August 1976 | Wairarapa Bush | 20 – 11 | Thames Valley | Memorial Park, Masterton | ||
| Tries: A.J. O'Neill Con: N.F. Kjestrup | Tries: D.O. Strange, D.G. McMillan Pen: A.H. Fisher | Referee: A. Bailey ( Wellington) |
| 12 August 1976 | Poverty Bay | 13 – 6 | Thames Valley | Rugby Park, Gisborne | ||
| Tries: G.B. Ross, M. Whitehead Con: G.B. Ross | Pen: K.D. Moloney (2) | Referee: L. Watkins ( Hawke's Bay) |
| 14 August 1976 | Wairarapa Bush | 18 – 4 | East Coast | Rugby Park, Pahiatua | ||
| Tries: A.J. O'Neill, R.E. Robertson Con: N.F. Kjestrup (2) | Tries: R.N. Falcon | Referee: W.J. Bringans ( Wellington) |
| 14 August 1976 | Taranaki | 16 – 6 | King Country | Rugby Park, New Plymouth | ||
| Tries: J. O'Sullivan, G.N.K. Mourie Con: S.C. Davidson | Tries: M.R. Kidd Con: N.W. Pye | Referee: N.C. Thomas ( Manawatu) |
| 17 August 1976 | Thames Valley | 12 – 20 | Wanganui | The Domain, Paeroa | ||
| Pen: W.G. Bax (4) | Tries: R.R.W. Manson, R.B. Dallison, V.B. Patrick Con: R.B. Barrell | Referee: E.G. Pennell ( Auckland) |
| 18 August 1976 | King Country | 9 – 8 | Poverty Bay | Island Reserve, Ōtorohanga | ||
| Tries: D.M. Flavell Con: N.W. Pye | Tries: P.J. Duncan, G.W. Allen | Referee: L.R. Woodgate ( Bay of Plenty) |
| 19 August 1976 | East Coast | 3 – 54 | Wanganui | Whakarua Park, Ruatoria | ||
| 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) | Referee: K.H. Lynch ( Poverty Bay) |
| 21 August 1976 | Poverty Bay | 7 – 17 | Wanganui | Rugby Park, Gisborne | ||
| Tries: R.A. Newlands Pen: John Whittle | Tries: J.E. Knofflock, Douglas Patchett Pen: R.B. Barrell (2) | Referee: P.A. Arthur ( Auckland) |
| 21 August 1976 | King Country | 13 – 47 | Waikato | The Domain, Taumarunui | ||
| Tries: M.R. Kidd, J.W. Tarrant Con: 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) | Referee: H.L. Miller ( Counties) |
| 21 August 1976 | Taranaki | 6 – 3 | Horowhenua | Rugby Park, New Plymouth | ||
| Pen: S.C. Davidson (2) | Pen: M.G. Brodie | Referee: C. Aitken ( Nelson Bays) |
| 26 August 1976 | East Coast | 0 – 41 | Taranaki | Whakarua Park, Ruatoria | ||
| Tries: S.B. Brophy, D.G. Avison, R.B. McEldowney, I.M. Eliason, J. O'Sullivan, A.I. Scown Con: D.G. Avison (4) | Referee: G. Way ( Thames Valley) |
| 28 August 1976 | Poverty Bay | 6 – 43 | Taranaki | Rugby Park, Gisborne | ||
| Pen: G.B. Ross (2) | Tries: R.J. Fraser (2), S.B. Brophy (2), R.P. Wharehoka Con: D.G. Avison | Referee: I. Burrell ( Bay of Plenty) |
| 28 August 1976 | Horowhenua | 12 – 23 | Wairarapa Bush | Park Domain Oval, Levin | ||
| 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) | Referee: L.D. Daines ( Marlborough) |
| 28 August 1976 | Wanganui | 21 – 7 | Waikato | Spriggins Park, Wanganui | ||
| Tries: R.R.W. Manson, G.D. Mitchinson Con: R.B. Barrell (2) | Tries: Michael Deane Pen: A.W. Baker | Referee: T.F. Doocey ( Canterbury) |
September 1976
| 4 September 1976 | Poverty Bay | 15 – 14 | Waikato | Rugby Park, Gisborne | ||
| Tries: Nigel Shanks, S.J. Spence Con: John Whittle (2) | Tries: C. Ormsby, R.G. Myers Drop: B. Taylor (2) | Referee: N.B. Whittaker ( Manawatu) |
| 4 September 1976 | Taranaki | 42 – 10 | Wairarapa Bush | Rugby Park, New Plymouth | ||
| Tries: S.B. Brophy (2), J. O'Sullivan (2), G.N.K. Mourie, D.S. Loveridge, I.M. Eliason Con: D.G. Avison (4) | Tries: N.P. Sargent Pen: N.F. Kjestrup (2) | Referee: C.J. Pedley ( Wairarapa Bush) |
| 7 September 1976 | East Coast | 0 – 39 | Waikato | Whakarua Park, Ruatoria | ||
| 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) | Referee: V. Thurston ( Hawke's Bay) |
| 8 September 1976 | King Country | 29 – 23 | Horowhenua | Rugby Park, Te Kūiti | ||
| Tries: M.R. Kidd (3), Graham Potaka, N.W. Pye, D.M. Flavell Con: M.J. Lang (3) | Tries: P.L. Martin (2), M.D. Nutting, J.W. Luoni Con: M.G. Brodie (2) | Referee: C.W. Alford ( King Country) |
| 11 September 1976 | Waikato | 33 – 7 | Horowhenua | Rugby Park, Hamilton | ||
| Tries: C. Ormsby (2), K.M. Greene (2), J.W. O'Rourke Con: R.B. Litt (2) | Tries: M.D. Nutting Pen: M.G. Brodie | Referee: P.R. Harpur ( King Country) |
| 11 September 1976 | Wairarapa Bush | 3 – 6 | Poverty Bay | Memorial Park, Masterton | ||
| Pen: N.F. Kjestrup | Tries: G.R. Newlands Con: John Whittle | Referee: J.G.O. Stubbs ( King Country) |
| 15 September 1976 | Horowhenua | 23 – 15 | Poverty Bay | Park Domain Oval, Levin | ||
| Tries: M.D. Nutting (3), G.H. Hobson Con: M.G. Brodie (2) | Tries: G.W. Thompson, B.H. Sherriff Con: G.B. Ross (2) | Referee: J. Luckin ( Taranaki) |
| 16 September 1976 | Thames Valley | 9 – 20 | Taranaki | Rugby Park, Waihi | ||
| Tries: Huia Martin Con: W.G. BaxPen: W.G. Bax (3) | Tries: D.S. Loveridge, J. O'Sullivan Pen: D.G. Avison (3)Drop: I.R. Snook | Referee: K.H. Lawrence ( Bay of Plenty) |
| 18 September 1976 | Wairarapa Bush | 13 – 19 | Wanganui | Memorial Park, Masterton | ||
| Tries: B.B. Patrick Pen: N.F. Kjestrup (3) | Tries: R.B. Barrell, R.J. Murray Con: R.B. BarrellPen: R.B. Barrell (3) | Referee: L. Auckram ( Horowhenua) |
| 18 September 1976 | Waikato | 3 – 9 | Taranaki | Rugby Park, Hamilton | ||
| Pen: A.W. Baker | Tries: G.N.K. Mourie Con: D.G. Avison | Referee: R.J. Watson ( North Auckland) |
| 18 September 1976 | King Country | 25 – 10 | East Coast | Island Reserve, Ōtorohanga | ||
| Tries: B.W. Donovan (2), M.R. Kidd, R.J. Takiari Con: M.J. Lang (3) | Tries: J. Morice, H. Reedy Con: H.T. Roberts | Referee: L.R. Woodgate ( Bay of Plenty) |
Division 2 (South Island)
Standings
These were the NPC Division 2 standings (South Island) for the 1976 season.
Radio New Zealand National Championship 1976 Division 2 (South Island) | ||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||
Games
June 1976
| 7 June 1976 | Buller | 9 – 14 | Nelson Bays | Victoria Square, Westport | ||
| Tries: C.F. Cochrane Con: G.W. Hart | Tries: S.W. Robertson, P.A. Burgess, R. Neighbours Con: M. Hodgson | Referee: J.G. MacDonald (North Otago) |
July 1976
| 17 July 1976 | Nelson Bays | 17 – 14 | Mid Canterbury | Trafalgar Park, Nelson | ||
| Tries: C.C. Haigh (2) Pen: W.B. Lucre (3) | Tries: Peter MacGregor, M.H.L. Tapley Pen: M.H.L. Tapley (2) | Referee: L. Auckram (Horowhenua) |
| 21 July 1976 | Buller | 6 – 7 | Mid Canterbury | Victoria Square, Westport | ||
| Pen: G.W. Hart (2) | Tries: M.H.L. Tapley Pen: M.H.L. Tapley | Referee: T.K. Armstrong (Canterbury) |
| 24 July 1976 | West Coast | 9 – 9 | Mid Canterbury | Cass Square, Hokitika | ||
| Tries: G.J. Cook Con: R.F. Nelson | Pen: M.H.L. Tapley | Referee: P.R. Harpur (King Country) |
| 31 July 1976 | West Coast | 6 – 16 | Buller | Rugby Park, Greymouth | ||
| Pen: R.F. Nelson | Tries: C.A. Fussell, P.G. Alexander Con: G.W. Hart | Referee: G. Way (Thames Valley) |
August 1976
| 7 August 1976 | Nelson Bays | 24 – 3 | North Otago | Rugby Park, Motueka | ||
| Tries: S.W. Robertson, W.B. Lucre, C.C. Haigh, G. Organ Con: W.B. Lucre | Pen: P.R. Whyte | Referee: R.A. Brown (Wairarapa Bush) |
| 14 August 1976 | Mid Canterbury | 17 – 13 | North Otago | Showgrounds, Ashburton | ||
| Tries: A.J. Grieve (2), M.H.L. Tapley Con: M.H.L. Tapley | Tries: R.J. May, P.R. Whyte Con: P.R. Whyte | Referee: L.M. Craven (Marlborough) |
| 14 August 1976 | South Canterbury | 15 – 9 | West Coast | Fraser Park, Timaru | ||
| Tries: R.S. Heron Con: D.A. Nicol | Tries: C.R. Skates Con: R.F. Nelson | Referee: K. McLoughlin (Otago) |
| 17 August 1976 | North Otago | 16 – 7 | West Coast | Centennial Park, Oamaru | ||
| Tries: P. Johnson, P.R. Whyte, W.J. Cooper Con: P.R. Whyte (2) | Tries: B.G. Davidson Pen: R.F. Nelson | Referee: M. Jarvis (Southland) |
| 21 August 1976 | Buller | 14 – 7 | South Canterbury | Victoria Square, Westport | ||
| Tries: A.M. Mundy (2), J.R. Dickson Con: G.W. Hart | Tries: R.S. Heron Pen: D.A. Nicol | Referee: R.C. Francis (Wairarapa Bush) |
| 24 August 1976 | Nelson Bays | 10 – 23 | South Canterbury | Trafalgar Park, Nelson | ||
| Tries: G.J. Lummis Pen: W.B. Lucre (2) | Tries: P.J. Grant, R.S. Heron, A.M. McLaren Con: D.A. Nicol | Referee: B.G. Whale (Wairarapa Bush) |
September 1976
| 4 September 1976 | Mid Canterbury | 3 – 10 | South Canterbury | Showgrounds, Ashburton | ||
| Pen: M.H.L. Tapley | Tries: R.S. Heron Pen: D.A. Nicol | Referee: A. Creighton (Otago) |
| 4 September 1976 | Nelson Bays | 7 – 28 | West Coast | Trafalgar Park, Nelson | ||
| Tries: C.C. Haigh Pen: W.B. Lucre | Tries: G.J. Cook (2), J.A. Steffan Con: R.F. Nelson (2) | Referee: A.W. Lilley (Mid Canterbury) |
| 11 September 1976 | South Canterbury | 48 – 3 | North Otago | Fraser Park, Timaru | ||
| 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: P.R. Whyte | Referee: M. Jarvis (Southland) |
| 18 September 1976 | North Otago | 6 – 19 | Buller | Centennial Park, Oamaru | ||
| Tries: Richard McNamara Con: B. Simpson | Tries: A.M. Mundy (2), L.W. Kearns Con: T.G. Aldridge | Referee: A. Gormack (Southland) |
Promotion/relegation games
As North Auckland came last in Division 1, the unbeaten winners of Division 2 (North Island) who were Taranaki got promoted to Division 1 to replace North Auckland.
South Canterbury who won Division 2 (South Island) had a chance to be promoted up to Division 1 where they faced Southland but lost the game 24 to 11 and so did not get promoted.