NPC playoffs and PREM Rugby: The sevens stars set to shape a big weekend

The 2026-27 HSBC SVNS Series preparations are quietly taking shape across the globe, with sevens players using domestic XVs competitions to sharpen their game before international camps reconvene. This weekend, the New Zealand NPC quarterfinals and England’s PREM Rugby third round offer the clearest window into that talent pool.

National Provincial Championship Quarterfinals

Eight teams remain in New Zealand’s Hilux NPC, and sevens-connected players are prominent across all four quarterfinal matchups.

In Whangarei, Northland welcome Rob Rush and Brady Rush into their starting lineup — at flanker and left wing respectively — as they host Tasman. The visitors counter with Maloni Kunawave at fullback and former Tongan sevens star Kyren Taumoefolau on the right wing.

At North Harbour Stadium on Saturday, Taranaki’s Sam Clarke and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens retain their starting positions at flyhalf and fullback, while the hosts deploy Sofai Notoa-Tipo off the bench.

In Dunedin, Wallaby and sevens star Darby Lancaster keeps his starting berth on the wing for the Magpies against Otago, with Samoan sevens alumnus Neria Fomai available from the bench. Otago will look to Jona Nareki at outside centre, with Tongan international Patrick Pellegrini among the options off the bench.

The final quarterfinal, in Christchurch, pits Canterbury against Waikato. All Blacks Sevens veteran Andrew Knewstubb is named off the bench for the hosts, while Waikato have selected alumnus Tepaea Cook-Savage on the left wing as they chase their first NPC title since 2021.

PREM Rugby — Week Three

Across the Northern Hemisphere, England’s PREM Rugby is in its third week with more than 15 current and former sevens internationals spread across the competition.

At Welford Road, Leicester Tigers are seeking a second win of the season after England sevens alumnus Ollie Hassell-Collins contributed off the bench in last week’s victory over Newcastle.

Northampton’s Tommy Freeman, who came through sevens development pathways before establishing himself at the Saints, is in contention again after scoring a hat-trick in the season opener against Newcastle.

Sale Sharks, also looking for a second win, boast Fijian dual internationals Ponepati Loganimasi and Elia Canakaivata, both of whom made an impact off the bench in last week’s victory over Saracens.

With the southern hemisphere’s Super Rugby AUS season already concluded, the NPC playoffs represent the last major proving ground for southern-hemisphere sevens players before the next SVNS cycle begins in earnest.