1976 National Provincial Championship

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.

	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	Pts
Radio New Zealand National Championship 1976 Division 1
1	Template:Rut Bay of Plenty	10	8	1	1	195	112	+83	25	17
2	Template:Rut Manawatu (RS)	10	7	1	1	142	104	+38	17	15
3	Template:Rut Auckland	10	6	1	3	160	133	+27	19	13
4	Template:Rut Canterbury	10	6	0	4	153	118	+35	20	12
5	Counties	10	6	0	4	118	107	+11	20	12
6	Template:Rut Wellington	10	5	1	4	165	122	+43	20	11
7	Template:Rut Otago	10	4	2	4	106	148	+42	11	10
8	Template:Rut Hawke's Bay	10	4	0	6	125	130	-5	18	8
9	Template:Rut Marlborough	10	3	0	7	146	192	-46	19	6
10	Template:Rut 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	Template:Rut Manawatu	23 – 13	Template:Rut Wellington	Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
		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	Referee: C.P. Gregan (Template:Rut Waikato )

	16 June 1976	Counties	12 – 19	Template:Rut Auckland	The Stadium, Pukekohe
		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	Referee: I.J. Clarke (Template:Rut Waikato)

	26 June 1976	North Auckland	3 – 12	Template:Rut Auckland	Okara Park Stadium, Whangarei
		Pen: S. Semenoff		Tries: D.L. Palmer Con: S.L. Watt Pen: S.L. Watt Drop: H.K. Whiu	Referee: K.H. Lynch ( Template:Rut Poverty Bay)

	26 June 1976	Counties	4 – 15	Template:Rut Wellington	The Stadium, Pukekohe
		Tries: Patrick Yates		Tries: Grant Grifith Con: C.J. Currie Pen: C.J. Currie (3)	Referee: M.G. Farnworth (Template:Rut Auckland)

July 1976

	3 July 1976	Template:Rut 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 ( Template:Rut Poverty Bay)

	8 July 1976	Template:Rut Manawatu	19 – 6	North Auckland	Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
		Tries: M.G. Watts, M.W. Donaldson, G.S. Bowater Con: D.L. Rollerson (2) Drop: D.L. Rollerson		Pen: B.H. McCarroll (2)	Referee: B.W. Duffy (Template:Rut Taranaki)

	10 July 1976	Template:Rut Wellington	13 – 0	North Auckland	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Tries: Stu Wilson, K.L. Phelan Con: C.J. Currie Pen: C.J. Currie			Referee: B. Williams ( Template:Rut West Coast)

	13 July 1976	Template:Rut Marlborough	24 – 17	North Auckland	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
		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	Referee: N.C. Thomas (Template:Rut Manawatu)

	17 July 1976	Template:Rut Southland	9 – 23	Template:Rut Manawatu	Rugby Park, Invercargill
		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	Referee: L. Te Au ( Template:Rut South Canterbury)

	20 July 1976	Template:Rut Otago	0 – 0	Template:Rut Manawatu	Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin
					Referee: J.G. MacDonald ( Template:Rut North Otago)

	20 July 1976	Template:Rut Marlborough	15 – 25	Template:Rut Auckland	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
		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	Referee: A. Creighton (Template:Rut Otago)

	24 July 1976	Template:Rut Hawke's Bay	33 – 10	Template:Rut Marlborough	Nelson Park, Hastings
		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	Referee: D.R. Buckland (Template:Rut Wellington)

	27 July 1976	Counties	10 – 6	Template:Rut Marlborough	The Stadium, Pukekohe
		Tries: R.J. Palmer Pen: R.N. Lendrum Drop: R.N. Lendrum		Tries: S.W.P. Marfell Con: K.G. Sutherland	Referee: R.C. Francis ( Template:Rut Wairarapa Bush)

	31 July 1976	Template:Rut Marlborough	13 – 24	Template:Rut 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 (Template:Rut Manawatu)

August 1976

	4 August 1976	Template:Rut Wellington	18 – 18	Template:Rut Bay of Plenty	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Tries: G.W. Skipper Con: B.W. Cederwall Pen: B.W. Cederwall (4)		Pen: Gregory Rowlands (4), T.J. Waaka Drop: Gregory Rowlands	Referee: M.G. Farnworth (Template:Rut Auckland)

	7 August 1976	Template:Rut Manawatu	9 – 28	Template:Rut 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) Pen: Gregory Rowlands (2)	Referee: R.J. Watson ( North Auckland)

	7 August 1976	Template:Rut Southland	9 – 10	Template:Rut Otago	Rugby Park, Invercargill
		Pen: G.T. Valli (2) Drop: N.J. Polson		Tries: Kenneth Mitchell Pen: B.W. Wilson Drop: B.A. Guthrie	Referee: T.F. Doocey (Template:Rut Canterbury)

	11 August 1976	Template:Rut Otago	6 – 18	Template:Rut 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 ( Template:Rut West Coast)

	11 August 1976	Template:Rut Manawatu	15 – 10	Template:Rut Canterbury	Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
		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	Referee: W.L. Adlam ( Template:Rut Wanganui)

	14 August 1976	Template:Rut Southland	6 – 7	Template:Rut Hawke's Bay	Rugby Park, Invercargill
		Pen: G.T. Valli (2)		Tries:R.L. Stuart Pen: R.D. Cox	Referee: J. Walker (Template:Rut Otago)

	14 August 1976	North Auckland	13 – 21	Template:Rut 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 Pen: M.D. Heffernan	Referee: J.R. Innes ( Counties)

	17 August 1976	Template:Rut Bay of Plenty	12 – 6	Template:Rut Canterbury	The Domain, Tauranga
		Tries: Graham Moore Con: Gregory Rowlands Pen: Gregory Rowlands Drop: L.J. Brake		Pen: R.G. Wilson (2)	Referee: K.H. Lynch ( Template:Rut Poverty Bay)

	18 August 1976	Template:Rut Auckland (RS)	9 – 9	Template:Rut Southland	Eden Park, Auckland
		Pen: S.L. Watt (3)		Tries: D.R. Saunders Con: G.T. Valli Pen: G.T. Valli	Referee: B.W. Duffy (Template:Rut Taranaki)

	21 August 1976	Template:Rut Auckland (RS)	10 – 12	Template:Rut Manawatu	Eden Park, Auckland
		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	Referee: C.P. Gregan (Template:Rut Waikato )

	21 August 1976	Template:Rut Canterbury	13 – 6	Template:Rut Hawke's Bay	Lancaster Park, Christchurch
		Tries: A.J. Wyllie, S.C. Cartwright Con: M.D. Heffernan Pen: M.D. Heffernan		Pen: R.D. Cox (2)	Referee: G.L. Harrison (Template:Rut Wellington)

	21 August 1976	Template:Rut Bay of Plenty	27 – 12	Template:Rut Southland	The Domain, Whakatane
		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)	Referee: J.P.G. Pring (Auckland)

	24 August 1976	Counties	12 – 14	Template:Rut 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	Template:Rut Southland	Okara Park Stadium, Whangarei
		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	Referee: K.H. Lawrence (Template:Rut Bay of Plenty)

	28 August 1976	Template:Rut Auckland	28 – 31	Template:Rut Bay of Plenty	Eden Park, Auckland
		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	Referee: D.H. Millar (Template:Rut Otago)

	28 August 1976	Template:Rut 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 Pen: R.D. Cox		Tries: H.K. Sowman, D.A. Haynes, M.J. Gunson Con: B.H. McCarroll (2)	Referee: A. Bailey (Template:Rut Wellington)

	28 August 1976	Template:Rut Otago	16 – 6	Counties	Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin
		Tries: T.J. Burcher Pen: B.W. Wilson (3) Drop: B.W. Wilson		Pen: M.M. Codlin (2)	Referee: A.R. Taylor (Template:Rut Canterbury)

	28 August 1976	Template:Rut Wellington	14 – 15	Template:Rut Canterbury	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Tries: Stu Wilson (2) Pen: R.S. Cleland (2)		Tries: P.A. Macfie, Don Stewart Con: M.D. Heffernan (2) Pen: M.D. Heffernan	Referee: W.L. Adlam ( Template:Rut Wanganui)

September 1976

	1 September 1976	Template:Rut 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) Pen: R.N. Lendrum	Referee: S.C. Miller ( Template:Rut South Canterbury)

	4 September 1976	Template:Rut Auckland	16 – 26	Template:Rut Otago	Eden Park, Auckland
		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)	Referee: P.A. McDavitt (Template:Rut Wellington)

	4 September 1976	Template:Rut Hawke's Bay	13 – 25	Template:Rut Wellington	Nelson Park, Hastings
		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	Referee: K.H. Lynch ( Template:Rut Poverty Bay)

	4 September 1976	Template:Rut Canterbury	6 – 11	Counties	Lancaster Park, Christchurch
		Pen: M.D. Heffernan (2)		Tries: Patrick Yates (2) Drop: R.N. Lendrum	Referee: B.M. Dawson (Template:Rut Southland)

	4 September 1976	Template:Rut Marlborough	28 – 12	Template:Rut Southland	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
		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)	Referee: J.G. Macdonald ( Template:Rut North Otago)

	4 September 1976	North Auckland	3 – 17	Template:Rut Bay of Plenty	Okara Park Stadium, Whangarei
		Pen: R.D. Laurie		Tries: Graham Moore, N.M. Taylor, Gregory Rowlands Con: Gregory Rowlands Pen: Gregory Rowlands	Referee: C.P. Gregan (Template:Rut Waikato )

	8 September 1976	North Auckland	3 – 3	Template:Rut Otago	Okara Park Stadium, Whangarei
		Pen: R.D. Laurie		Pen: B.W. Wilson	Referee: R.J. Watson ( North Auckland)

	12 September 1976	Template:Rut Canterbury	16 – 7	Template:Rut 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 (Template:Rut Otago)

	12 September 1976	Template:Rut Manawatu(RS)	15 – 3	Template:Rut Hawke's Bay	Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
		Tries: M.G. Watts, A.C. Innes Con: D.L. Rollerson (2) Pen: D.L. Rollerson		Pen: R.D. Cox	Referee: J.P.G. Pring (Template:Rut Auckland)

	12 September 1976	Template:Rut Wellington	9 – 12	Template:Rut Auckland	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Tries: G.W. Skipper Con: R.S. Cleland Pen: R.S. Cleland		Tries: T.G. Morrison, Andy Haden Con: S.L. Watt (2)	Referee: N.C. Thomas (Template:Rut Manawatu)

	13 September 1976	Template:Rut Bay of Plenty	19 – 6	Template:Rut Otago	The Stadium, Rotorua
		Tries: J.T. Kamizona, P.M. Horrocks, L.J. Brake Con: Gregory Rowlands (2) Pen: Gregory Rowlands		Pen: B.W. Wilson (2)	Referee: W.L. Adlam ( Template:Rut 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: M.M. Codlin		Pen: Ross McAllister (2)	Referee: B.W. Duffy (Template:Rut Taranaki)

	16 September 1976	Template:Rut Southland	16 – 13	Template:Rut 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 Pen: C.J. Currie	Referee: B. Williams ( Template:Rut West Coast)

	18 September 1976	Template:Rut Auckland	19 – 9	Template:Rut Canterbury	Eden Park, Auckland
		Tries: D.N. Thorn, J.S. McLachlan Con: S.L. Watt Pen: S.L. Watt (3)		Pen: M.D. Heffernan (3)	Referee: N.B. Whittaker (Template:Rut Manawatu)

	18 September 1976	Template:Rut Otago	7 – 29	Template:Rut 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) Pen: C.J. Currie (2) Drop: J.P. Gougan	Referee: L. Te Au ( Template:Rut South Canterbury)

	18 September 1976	Template:Rut Marlborough	13 – 12	Template:Rut Manawatu	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
		Tries: John Davie, B.R. Ford Con: K.G. Sutherland Pen: K.G. Sutherland		Pen: D.L. Rollerson (3) Drop: B. Wright	Referee: G.L. Harrison (Template:Rut Wellington)

	18 September 1976	Template:Rut Bay of Plenty	10 – 7	Template:Rut 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	Template:Rut Otago	20 – 14	Template:Rut Marlborough	Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin
		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)	Referee: B.M. Dawson (Template:Rut Southland)

	25 September 1976	Template:Rut Canterbury	34 – 12	Template:Rut Otago	Lancaster Park, Christchurch
		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)	Referee: A. Bailey (Template:Rut Wellington)

	25 September 1976	Template:Rut Wellington	16 – 14	Template:Rut Marlborough	Athletic Park, Wellington
		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	Referee: R.C. Francis ( Template:Rut Wairarapa Bush)

	25 September 1976	Template:Rut 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 (Template:Rut Wellington)

Division 2 (North Island)

Standings

These were the NPC Division 2 standings (North Island) for the 1976 season.

	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	Pts
Radio New Zealand National Championship 1976 Division 2 (North Island)
1	Template:Rut Taranaki	8	8	0	0	209	49	+160	28	16
2	Template:Rut Wanganui	8	7	0	1	216	87	+129	31	14
3	Template:Rut King Country	8	4	1	3	110	144	-34	9	9
4	Template:Rut Poverty Bay	8	4	0	4	92	115	-23	11	8
5	Template:Rut Waikato	8	4	0	4	173	76	+97	28	8
6	Template:Rut Wairarapa Bush	8	4	0	4	98	107	-9	13	8
7	Template:Rut East Coast	8	2	0	6	41	214	-173	6	4
8	Template:Rut 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	Template:Rut 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 ( Template:Rut Wanganui )

June 1976

	7 June 1976	Template:Rut Wanganui	12 – 32	Template:Rut Taranaki	Spriggens Park, Wanganui
		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	Referee: N.C. Thomas (Template:Rut Manawatu)

	16 June 1976	Template:Rut Waikato	23 – 3	Template:Rut Thames Valley	Rugby Park, Hamilton
		Tries: P.C. Gilbert (2), A.L. Clark, R.G. Myers Con: A.W. Baker (2) Pen: A.W. Baker		Pen: W.G. Bax	Referee: H.K. Innes ( North Auckland)

	19 June 1976	Template:Rut 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) Pen: R.B. Barrell (3)		Tries: M.G. Brodie	Referee: K.H. Lawrence (Template:Rut Bay of Plenty)

	26 June 1976	Template:Rut Thames Valley	4 – 12	Template:Rut 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	Template:Rut East Coast	0 – 22	Template:Rut Poverty Bay	Uawa Domain, Tolaga Bay
				Tries: G.R. Newlands Pen: G.B. Ross (5) Drop: G.B Ross	Referee: L.R. Woodgate (Template:Rut Bay of Plenty)

	14 July 1976	Template:Rut Thames Valley	9 – 9	Template:Rut King Country	Sports Domain, Te Aroha
		Pen: W.G. Bax (3)		Try: M.R. Kidd Con: J.R. Barr Pen: J.R. Barr	Referee: I.A. Burrell (Template:Rut Bay of Plenty)

	24 July 1976	Template:Rut Wanganui	28 – 9	Template:Rut 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	Template:Rut King Country	6 – 3	Template:Rut Wairarapa Bush	The Domain, Taumarunui
		Tries: P. Bowen Con: J.R. Barr		Pen: N.F. Kjestrup	Referee: G. Klatt ( Counties)

	31 July 1976	Template:Rut Waikato	7 – 8	Template:Rut Wairarapa Bush	Rugby Park, Hamilton
		Tries: K.M. Greene Pen: A.W. Baker		Tries: K.W. Carter (2)	Referee: B. Marsh (Template:Rut Hawke's Bay)

August 1976

	7 August 1976	Horowhenua	11 – 16	Template:Rut 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 Pen: K.D. Moloney (2)	Referee: I.W. Diprose (File:Buller.png Template:Rut Buller)

	10 August 1976	Template:Rut Wairarapa Bush	20 – 11	Template:Rut Thames Valley	Memorial Park, Masterton
		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	Referee: A. Bailey (Template:Rut Wellington)

	12 August 1976	Template:Rut Poverty Bay	13 – 6	Template:Rut Thames Valley	Rugby Park, Gisborne
		Tries: G.B. Ross, M. Whitehead Con: G.B. Ross Pen: G.B. Ross		Pen: K.D. Moloney (2)	Referee: L. Watkins (Template:Rut Hawke's Bay)

	14 August 1976	Template:Rut Wairarapa Bush	18 – 4	Template:Rut East Coast	Rugby Park, Pahiatua
		Tries: A.J. O'Neill, R.E. Robertson Con: N.F. Kjestrup (2) Pen: N.F. Kjestrup (2)		Tries: R.N. Falcon	Referee: W.J. Bringans (Template:Rut Wellington)

	14 August 1976	Template:Rut Taranaki	16 – 6	Template:Rut King Country	Rugby Park, New Plymouth
		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	Referee: N.C. Thomas (Template:Rut Manawatu)

	17 August 1976	Template:Rut Thames Valley	12 – 20	Template:Rut Wanganui	The Domain, Paeroa
		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)	Referee: E.G. Pennell (Template:Rut Auckland)

	18 August 1976	Template:Rut King Country	9 – 8	Template:Rut Poverty Bay	Island Reserve, Otorohanga
		Tries: D.M. Flavell Con: N.W. Pye Drop: M.D. Fluker		Tries: P.J. Duncan, G.W. Allen	Referee: L.R. Woodgate (Template:Rut Bay of Plenty)

	19 August 1976	Template:Rut East Coast	3 – 54	Template:Rut 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) Pen: R.B. Barrell (2)	Referee: K.H. Lynch ( Template:Rut Poverty Bay)

	21 August 1976	Template:Rut Poverty Bay	7 – 17	Template:Rut Wanganui	Rugby Park, Gisborne
		Tries: R.A. Newlands Pen: John Whittle		Tries: J.E. Knofflock, Douglas Patchett Pen: R.B. Barrell (2) Drop: L.W. Stowell	Referee: P.A. Arthur (Template:Rut Auckland)

	21 August 1976	Template:Rut King Country	13 – 47	Template:Rut Waikato	The Domain, Taumarunui
		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)	Referee: H.L. Miller ( Counties)

	21 August 1976	Template:Rut 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	Template:Rut East Coast	0 – 41	Template:Rut 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) Pen: D.G. Avison (3)	Referee: G. Way ( Template:Rut Thames Valley)

	28 August 1976	Template:Rut Poverty Bay	6 – 43	Template:Rut 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 Pen: D.G. Avison (3) Drop: I.R. Snook (4)	Referee: I. Burrell (Template:Rut Bay of Plenty)

	28 August 1976	Horowhenua	12 – 23	Template:Rut 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) Pen: N.F. Kjestrup	Referee: L.D. Daines ( Template:Rut Marlborough)

	28 August 1976	Template:Rut Wanganui	21 – 7	Template:Rut Waikato	Spriggins Park, Template:Rut Wanganui
		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	Referee: T.F. Doocey (Template:Rut Canterbury)

September 1976

	4 September 1976	Template:Rut Poverty Bay	15 – 14	Template:Rut Waikato	Rugby Park, Gisborne
		Tries: Nigel Shanks, S.J. Spence Con: John Whittle (2) Pen: John Whittle		Tries: C. Ormsby, R.G. Myers Drop: B. Taylor (2)	Referee: N.B. Whittaker (Template:Rut Manawatu)

	4 September 1976	Template:Rut Taranaki	42 – 10	Template:Rut 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) Pen: D.G. Avison Drop: Paul Martin		Tries: N.P. Sargent Pen: N.F. Kjestrup (2)	Referee: C.J. Pedley ( Template:Rut Wairarapa Bush)

	7 September 1976	Template:Rut East Coast	0 – 39	Template:Rut 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) Pen: A.W. Baker	Referee: V. Thurston (Template:Rut Hawke's Bay)

	8 September 1976	Template:Rut King Country	29 – 23	Horowhenua	Rugby Park, Te Kuiti
		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	Referee: C.W. Alford ( Template:Rut King Country)

	11 September 1976	Template:Rut Waikato	33 – 7	Horowhenua	Rugby Park, Hamilton
		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	Referee: P.R. Harpur ( Template:Rut King Country)

	11 September 1976	Template:Rut Wairarapa Bush	3 – 6	Template:Rut Poverty Bay	Memorial Park, Masterton
		Pen: N.F. Kjestrup		Tries: G.R. Newlands Con: John Whittle	Referee: J.G.O. Stubbs ( Template:Rut King Country)

	15 September 1976	Horowhenua	23 – 15	Template:Rut Poverty Bay	Park Domain Oval, Levin
		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	Referee: J. Luckin (Template:Rut Taranaki)

	16 September 1976	Template:Rut Thames Valley	9 – 20	Template:Rut Taranaki	Rugby Park, Waihi
		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	Referee: K.H. Lawrence (Template:Rut Bay of Plenty)

	18 September 1976	Template:Rut Wairarapa Bush	13 – 19	Template:Rut Wanganui	Memorial Park, Masterton
		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)	Referee: L. Auckram ( Horowhenua)

	18 September 1976	Template:Rut Waikato	3 – 9	Template:Rut Taranaki	Rugby Park, Hamilton
		Pen: A.W. Baker		Tries: G.N.K. Mourie Con: D.G. Avison Pen: Paul Martin	Referee: R.J. Watson ( North Auckland)

	18 September 1976	Template:Rut King Country	25 – 10	Template:Rut East Coast	Island Reserve, Otorohanga
		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	Referee: L.R. Woodgate (Template:Rut Bay of Plenty)

Division 2 (South Island)

Standings

These were the NPC Division 2 standings (South Island) for the 1976 season.

	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	Pts
Radio New Zealand National Championship 1976 Division 2 (South Island)
1	Template:Rut South Canterbury	5	4	0	1	103	39	+64	14	8
2	File:Buller.png Template:Rut Buller	5	3	0	2	64	40	+24	9	6
3	Nelson Bays	5	3	0	2	72	77	-5	11	6
4	Template:Rut Mid Canterbury	5	2	1	2	50	55	-5	6	5
5	Template:Rut West Coast	5	1	1	3	59	63	-4	6	3
6	Template:Rut North Otago	5	1	0	4	41	115	-74	6	2

Games

June 1976

	7 June 1976	File:Buller.png Template:Rut Buller	9 – 14	Nelson Bays	Victoria Square, Westport
		Tries: C.F. Cochrane Con: G.W. Hart Pen: 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	Template:Rut 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	File:Buller.png Template:Rut Buller	6 – 7	Template:Rut 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	Template:Rut West Coast	9 – 9	Template:Rut Mid Canterbury	Cass Square, Hokitika
		Tries: G.J. Cook Con: R.F. Nelson Pen: R.F. Nelson		Pen: M.H.L. Tapley	Referee: P.R. Harpur (King Country)

	31 July 1976	Template:Rut West Coast	6 – 16	File:Buller.png Template:Rut Buller	Rugby Park, Greymouth
		Pen: R.F. Nelson		Tries: C.A. Fussell, P.G. Alexander Con: G.W. Hart Pen: G.W. Hart (2)	Referee: G. Way (Thames Valley)

August 1976

	7 August 1976	Nelson Bays	24 – 3	Template:Rut North Otago	Rugby Park, Motueka
		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	Referee: R.A. Brown (Wairarapa Bush)

	14 August 1976	Template:Rut Mid Canterbury	17 – 13	Template:Rut North Otago	Showgrounds, Ashburton
		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	Referee: L.M. Craven (Marlborough)

	14 August 1976	Template:Rut South Canterbury	15 – 9	Template:Rut West Coast	Fraser Park, Timaru
		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	Referee: K. McLoughlin (Otago)

	17 August 1976	Template:Rut North Otago	16 – 7	Template:Rut 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	File:Buller.png Template:Rut Buller	14 – 7	Template:Rut 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	Template:Rut 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 Pen: D.A. Nicol (3)	Referee: B.G. Whale (Wairarapa Bush)

September 1976

	4 September 1976	Template:Rut Mid Canterbury	3 – 10	Template:Rut South Canterbury	Showgrounds, Ashburton
		Pen: M.H.L. Tapley		Tries: R.S. Heron Pen: D.A. Nicol Drop: A.M. Goddard	Referee: A. Creighton (Otago)

	4 September 1976	Nelson Bays	7 – 28	Template:Rut 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) Pen: R.F. Nelson (2) Drop: R.F. Nelson, G.J. Cook	Referee: A.W. Lilley (Mid Canterbury)

	11 September 1976	Template:Rut South Canterbury	48 – 3	Template:Rut 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: D.A. Nicol (2)		Pen: P.R. Whyte	Referee: M. Jarvis (Southland)

	18 September 1976	Template:Rut North Otago	6 – 19	File:Buller.png Template:Rut Buller	Centennial Park, Oamaru
		Tries: Richard McNamara Con: B. Simpson		Tries: A.M. Mundy (2), L.W. Kearns Con: T.G. Aldridge Pen: T.G. Aldridge (2)	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.

References

thesilverfern.co.nz