Hannah and Jacomb fly home from Sydney to bolster NPC semi-final sides

Jamie Hannah and Josh Jacomb have been released from the All Blacks’ Sydney camp to feature in Sunday’s Hilux NPC semi-finals, with the pair flying home after the team’s warm-up at Accor Stadium ahead of the second Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies.

Neither player was selected for either of the two Bledisloe Cup Tests, though both were part of the 34-man squad that travelled to Sydney. The All Blacks confirmed on Sunday morning that the duo would return to their respective provincial franchises rather than remain with the national setup.

Jacomb’s last outing for Taranaki came in their home win over Hawke’s Bay at Jarred Profit Stadium, a match that also featured Scott and Beauden Barrett. Hannah, called into the All Blacks squad for the third time in 2026, last turned out for Canterbury in their 34-21 home victory over Southland.

All Blacks assistant coach Neil Barnes also confirmed on Saturday night that Northland’s Simon Parker would be released to play in the NPC final. “Absolutely, he’s on a flight tomorrow,” Barnes told media in Sydney. “We’ve had an attitude all the way along that we’ll support the competitions where we can, and so respect the NPC. We’ve tried to release as many players as we can.”

Barnes was complimentary about the standard of this season’s competition. “The NPC has gone down great guns at the moment. Anybody was able to beat anybody, and so pleased that Taniwha had the season they’ve had.”

The outcome of Sunday’s Canterbury versus Taranaki semi-final will determine the venue for the final. A Canterbury win sends the Taniwha to Christchurch to face Alex Robertson’s side, while a Taranaki victory would see the final hosted by Northland.