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	2	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: Robbie Stuart Pen: Roger Whinham		Try: Tua Mose Saseve Pen: Steve Watt Drop: Mark Sisam

McLean Park, Napier Referee: Bill Adlam (Wanganui)

19 May 1976

Canterbury	23–9	Marlborough
Try: Scott Cartwright Terry Mitchell Murray McEwan John Phillips Con: Doug Heffernan (2) Pen: Doug Heffernan		Pen: Steve Marfell (3)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch Referee: Dave Millar (Otago)

June

7 June 1976

Manawatu	23–13	Wellington
Try: Doug Rollerson (2) Kenneth Granger Con: Doug Rollerson Pen: Doug Rollerson (2)		Try: Geoff Skipper Con: Clive Currie (2) Pen: Brian Cederwall

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Referee: Colin Patrick Gregan (Waikato)

16 June 1976

Counties	12–19	Auckland
Try: John Hughes Andy Dalton Patrick Yates		Try: Terry Morrison (2) Con: Steve Watt Pen: Steve Watt (2) Drop: Perry Parlane

The Stadium, Pukekohe Referee: Ian James Clarke (Waikato)

26 June 1976

North Auckland	3–12	Auckland
Pen: Chippy Semenoff		Try: Dave Palmer Con: Steve Watt Pen: Steve Watt Drop: Joe Whiu

Okara Park, Whangārei Referee: Kevin Hugh Lynch (Poverty Bay)

26 June 1976

Counties	4–15	Wellington
Try: Patrick Yates		Try: Grant Griffith Con: Clive Currie Pen: Clive Currie (3)

The Stadium, Pukekohe Referee: Mike Farnworth (Auckland)

July

3 July 1976

Bay of Plenty	9–10	Counties
Pen: Tuck Waaka (2) Drop: John Brake		Try: Richard Palmer Henk Habraken Con: Graeme Taylor

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

8 July 1976

Manawatu	19–6	North Auckland
Try: Murray Watts Mark Donaldson Grant Bowater Con: Doug Rollerson (2) Drop: Doug Rollerson		Pen: Brian McCarroll (2)

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Referee: Brian Walter Duffy (Taranaki)

10 July 1976

Wellington	13–0	North Auckland
Try: Stu Wilson Kevin Phelan Con: Clive Currie Pen: Clive Currie

Athletic Park, Wellington Referee: Barry Williams (West Coast)

13 July 1976

Marlborough	24–17	North Auckland
Try: Dave Neal (2) Brian Dwyer Con: Kevin Sutherland (3) Pen: Kevin Sutherland Drop: Ray Gordon		Try: Phil Halse (2) David Haynes Con: Brian McCarroll Pen: Brian McCarroll

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim Referee: Norm Thomas (Manawatu)

17 July 1976

Southland	9–23	Manawatu
Try: Ron Davis Con: Geoff Valli Pen: Geoff Valli		Try: Paul Broederlow Ken Maharey Mark Wright Doug Rollerson Con: Doug Rollerson (2) Drop: Doug Rollerson

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

20 July 1976

Otago	0–0	Manawatu

Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin Referee: John Gordon Macdonald(North Otago)

20 July 1976

Marlborough	15–25	Auckland
Try: Dave Neal Mark Best Con: Kevin Sutherland (2) Pen: Kevin Sutherland		Try: Terry Morrison Joe Whiu Barry Ashworth Glenn Rich Con: Steve Watt (3) Pen: Steve Watt

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim Referee: Allan Creighton (Otago)

24 July 1976

Hawke's Bay	33–10	Marlborough
Try: Robbie Hunter (3) Ian Grant Roger Bremmer Con: Richard Cox (2) Pen: Richard Cox (3)		Try: Mark Best Pen: Kevin Sutherland Drop: Ray Gordon

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

27 July 1976

Counties	10–6	Marlborough
Try: Richard Palmer Pen: Bob Lendrum Drop: Bob Lendrum		Try: Steve Marfell Con: Kevin Sutherland

The Stadium, Pukekohe Referee: Bob Francis (Wairarapa Bush)

31 July 1976

Marlborough	13–24	Bay of Plenty
Try: Philip Neal Pen: Kevin Sutherland (3)		Try: Eddie Stokes (2) Barry Spry Allan McNaughton Graham Moore Con: Greg Rowlands

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim Referee: Nelson Burton Whittaker (Manawatu)

August

4 August 1976

Wellington	18–18	Bay of Plenty
Try: Geoff Skipper Con: Brian Cederwall Pen: Brian Cederwall (4)		Pen: Greg Rowlands (4) Tuck Waaka Drop: Greg Rowlands

Athletic Park, Wellington Referee: Mike Farnworth (Auckland)

7 August 1976

Manawatu	9–28	Bay of Plenty
Pen: Doug Rollerson (2) Sheridan Martin Murphy		Try: Eddie Stokes Mark Taylor Jimmy Kamizona Lawrence Keepa Con: Greg Rowlands (3) Pen: Greg Rowlands (2)

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Referee: Bob Watson (North Auckland)

7 August 1976

Southland	9–10	Otago
Pen: Geoff Valli (2) Drop: John Polson		Try: Kenneth Mitchell Pen: Bevan Wilson Drop: Bevin Guthrie

Rugby Park, Invercargill Referee: Tom Doocey (Canterbury)

11 August 1976

Otago	6–18	Hawke's Bay
Pen: Bevan Wilson (2)		Try: Tim Carter Pat Ryan Jock McCarroll Con: Richard Cox (3)

Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin Referee: Barry Williams (West Coast)

11 August 1976

Manawatu	15–10	Canterbury
Try: Paul Broederlow Con: Doug Rollerson Pen: Doug Rollerson (2) Drop: Brian Morris		Try: Vance Stewart Doug Heffernan Con: Doug Heffernan

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Referee: Bill Adlam (Wanganui)

14 August 1976

Southland	6–7	Hawke's Bay
Pen: Geoff Valli (2)		Try: Robbie Stuart Pen: Richard Cox

Rugby Park, Invercargill Referee: Jeff Walker (Otago)

14 August 1976

North Auckland	13–21	Canterbury
Try: Mike Gunson Pen: Brian McCarroll (2) David Laurie		Try: Scott Cartwright (2) John Phillips Andy Jefferd Con: Doug Heffernan Pen: Doug Heffernan

Okara Park, Whangārei Referee: Jim Innes (Counties)

17 August 1976

Bay of Plenty	12–6	Canterbury
Try: Graham Moore Con: Greg Rowlands Pen: Greg Rowlands Drop: John Brake		Pen: Richard Wilson (2)

The Domain, Tauranga Referee: Kevin Hugh Lynch (Poverty Bay)

18 August 1976

Auckland (RS)	9–9	Southland
Pen: Steve Watt (3)		Try: Dave Saunders Con: Geoff Valli Pen: Geoff Valli

Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Brian Walter Duffy (Taranaki)

21 August 1976

Auckland (RS)	10–12	Manawatu
Try: Andy Haden Terry Morrison Con: Steve Watt		Try: Doug Rollerson Con: Duncan Hales Pen: Doug Rollerson Drop: Doug Rollerson

Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Colin Patrick Gregan (Waikato)

21 August 1976

Canterbury	13–6	Hawke's Bay
Try: Alex Wyllie Scott Cartwright Con: Doug Heffernan Pen: Doug Heffernan		Pen: Richard Cox (2)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch Referee: Graeme Harrison (Wellington)

21 August 1976

Bay of Plenty	27–12	Southland
Try: Eddie Stokes (2) Peter Horrocks Tony Brown Graham Moore Con: Greg Rowlands Tuck Waaka Pen: Greg Rowlands		Try: Leicester Rutledge Con: Geoff Valli Pen: Geoff Valli (2)

The Domain, Whakatāne Referee: John Pring (Auckland)

24 August 1976

Counties	12–14	Manawatu
Try: Patrick Yates (2) Con: Mark Codlin (2)		Try: Kenneth Granger Doug Rollerson Murray Watts Con: Duncan Hales

The Stadium, Pukekohe Referee: L. Paul (Counties)

24 August 1976

North Auckland	9–15	Southland
Try: Murray Dyer Con: Brian McCarroll Pen: Brian McCarroll		Try: Leicester Rutledge Ash McGregor Con: Geoff Valli (2) Pen: Geoff Valli

Okara Park, Whangārei Referee: Keith Harold Lawrence (Bay of Plenty)

28 August 1976

Auckland	28–31	Bay of Plenty
Try: Terry Morrison Denis Thorn Glenn Rich Con: Steve Watt (2) Pen: Steve Watt (3) Drop: Mike Richards		Try: Tony Brown Mark Taylor Graham Moore Con: Greg Rowlands (2) Pen: Greg Rowlands (4) Drop: John Brake

Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Dave Millar (Otago)

28 August 1976

Hawke's Bay	25–16	North Auckland
Try: Jock McCarroll (2) Peter Durham (2) Robbie Hunter Con: Richard Cox Pen: Richard Cox		Try: Harley Sowman David Haynes Mike Gunson Con: Brian McCarroll (2)

McLean Park, Napier Referee: Alan Bailey (Wellington)

28 August 1976

Otago	16–6	Counties
Try: Tim Burcher Pen: Bevan Wilson (3) Drop: Bevan Wilson		Pen: Mark Codlin (2)

Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin Referee: Alan Ralph Taylor (Canterbury)

28 August 1976

Wellington	14–15	Canterbury
Try: Stu Wilson (2) Pen: Richard Cleland (2)		Try: Paul Macfie Don Stewart Con: Doug Heffernan (2) Pen: Doug Heffernan

Athletic Park, Wellington Referee: Bill Adlam (Wanganui)

September

1 September 1976

Southland	10–19	Counties
Try: Murray Arthur Mitchell Geoff Valli Con: Geoff Valli		Try: Bob Lendrum Peter Clotworthy Joe Rawiri Con: Bob Lendrum (2) Pen: Bob Lendrum

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

4 September 1976

Auckland	16–26	Otago
Try: Lin Colling Glenn Rich Con: Steve Watt Pen: Steve Watt (2)		Try: Lindsay Clark Merv Jaffray Alistair Barton Bevan Wilson Con: Bevan Wilson (2) Pen: Bevan Wilson (2)

Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Peter Alan McDavitt (Wellington)

4 September 1976

Hawke's Bay	13–25	Wellington
Try: Junior Paraha Peter Durham Con: Richard Cox Pen: Richard Cox		Try: Warwick Procter (2) Stu Wilson (2) Con: Richard Cleland (3) Pen: Richard Cleland

Nelson Park, Hastings Referee: Kevin Hugh Lynch (Poverty Bay)

4 September 1976

Canterbury	6–11	Counties
Pen: Doug Heffernan (2)		Try: Patrick Yates (2) Drop: Bob Lendrum

Lancaster Park, Christchurch Referee: Barry McKay Dawson (Southland)

4 September 1976

Marlborough	28–12	Southland
Try: Brian Ford Ray Gordon John Davie Dave Neal Con: Kevin Sutherland (3) Pen: Kevin Sutherland Drop: Kerry Ross Hodges		Try: Leicester Rutledge (2) Con: Geoff Valli (2)

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim Referee: John Gordon Macdonald (North Otago)

4 September 1976

North Auckland	3–17	Bay of Plenty
Pen: David Laurie		Try: Graham Moore Mark Taylor Greg Rowlands Con: Greg Rowlands Pen: Greg Rowlands

Okara Park, Whangārei Referee: Colin Patrick Gregan (Waikato)

8 September 1976

North Auckland	3–3	Otago
Pen: David Laurie		Pen: Bevan Wilson

Okara Park, Whangārei Referee: Bob Watson (North Auckland)

12 September 1976

Canterbury	16–7	Southland
Try: Geoff Brain Pen: Doug Heffernan (4)		Try: Ron Davis Drop: Brian McKechnie

Lancaster Park, Christchurch Referee: Dave Millar (Otago)

12 September 1976

Manawatu (RS)	15–3	Hawke's Bay
Try: Murray Watts Alan Campbell Innes Con: Doug Rollerson (2) Pen: Doug Rollerson		Pen: Richard Cox

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Referee: John Pring (Auckland)

12 September 1976

Wellington	9–12	Auckland
Try: Geoff Skipper Con: Richard Cleland Pen: Richard Cleland		Try: Terry Morrison Andy Haden Con: Steve Watt (2)

Athletic Park, Wellington Referee: Norm Thomas (Manawatu)

13 September 1976

Bay of Plenty	19–6	Otago
Try: Jimmy Kamizona Peter Horrocks John Brake Con: Greg Rowlands (2) Pen: Greg Rowlands		Pen: Bevan Wilson (2)

The Stadium, Rotorua Referee: Bill Adlam (Wanganui)

15 September 1976

Counties	15–6	North Auckland
Try: Ean McRobbie Bob Lendrum Con: Mark Codlin (2) Pen: Mark Codlin		Pen: Ross McAllister (2)

The Stadium, Pukekohe Referee: Brian Walter Duffy (Taranaki)

16 September 1976

Southland	16–13	Wellington
Try: John Wayne Ellis Roger Ramsey Dave Saunders Con: Geoff Valli (2)		Try: Geoff Skipper Warwick Procter Con: Richard Cleland Pen: Clive Currie

Rugby Park, Invercargill Referee: Barry Williams (West Coast)

18 September 1976

Auckland	19–9	Canterbury
Try: Denis Thorn Jon McLachlan Con: Steve Watt Pen: Steve Watt (3)		Pen: Doug Heffernan (3)

Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Nelson Burton Whittaker (Manawatu)

18 September 1976

Otago	7–29	Wellington
Try: John Colling Pen: Bevan Wilson		Try: Ian Stevens (2) Paul Quinn Stu Wilson Con: Clive Currie (2) Pen: Clive Currie (2) Drop: John Dougan

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

18 September 1976

Marlborough	13–12	Manawatu
Try: John Davie Brian Ford Con: Kevin Sutherland Pen: Kevin Sutherland		Pen: Doug Rollerson (3) Drop: Brent Wright

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

18 September 1976

Bay of Plenty	10–7	Hawke's Bay
Try: Greg Rowlands Pen: Greg Rowlands (2)		Try: Jock McCarroll Pen: Richard Cox

The Stadium Rotorua Referee: Jim Innes (Counties)

22 September 1976

Otago	20–14	Marlborough
Try: Tim Burcher Alistair Barton Merv Jaffray Con: Bevan Wilson Pen: Bevan Wilson Drop: Bevan Wilson		Try: Brian Ford Bruce Kenny Pen: Kevin Sutherland (2)

Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin Referee: Barry McKay Dawson (Southland)

25 September 1976

Canterbury	34–12	Otago
Try: Donald James Stewart (2) John Munro Andy Jefferd John Ashworth Con: Doug Heffernan (4) Pen: Doug Heffernan Drop: Terry Mehrtens		Try: Rob Roy Con: Bevan Wilson Pen: Bevan Wilson (2)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch Referee: Alan Bailey (Wellington)

25 September 1976

Wellington	16–14	Marlborough
Try: Stu Wilson Warwick Procter Con: Clive Currie Pen: Clive Currie (2)		Try: Alan Sutherland (3) Con: Kevin Sutherland

Athletic Park, Wellington Referee: Bob Francis (Wairarapa Bush)

25 September 1976

Hawke's Bay	6–19	Counties
Pen: Roger Whinham (2)		Try: Buff Milner (2) Patrick Yates Owen Trevor Burnside Drop: Bob Lendrum

McLean Park, Napier Referee: Peter Alan 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
Try: Mike Nutting Lindsay Robinson Pen: Lindsay Robinson		Pen: Vic Takarangi (4)

Park Domain Oval, Levin Referee: Colin John Pedley (Wanganui)

June

7 June 1976

Wanganui	12–32	Taranaki
Try: Brent Dallison Con: Bob Barrell Pen: Bob Barrell (2)		Try: Alistair Scown (2) John O'Sullivan Paul Wharehoka Herbie Kowhai Con: Paul Martin (2) Steve Davidson Drop: Paul Martin Ian Snook

Spriggens Park, Wanganui Referee: Norm Thomas (Manawatu)

16 June 1976

Waikato	23–3	Thames Valley
Try: Peter Gilbert (2) Alan Clark Dick Myers Con: Andy Baker (2) Pen: Andy Baker		Pen: Graham Bax

Rugby Park, Hamilton Referee: Harry Innes (North Auckland)

19 June 1976

Wanganui	45–4	Horowhenua
Try: Bruce Middleton (2) Bob Barrell (2) Francis Hill Brent Dallison Rob Manson Con: Bob Barrell (4) Pen: Bob Barrell (3)		Try: Michael Brodie

Spriggins Park, Wanganui Referee: Keith Harold Lawrence (Bay of Plenty)

26 June 1976

Thames Valley	4–12	East Coast
Try: David Strange		Try: Charlie Keelan Wayne Truman Jerry McClutchie

Rugby Park, Waihi Referee: Gary Arthur Urbahn (North Auckland)

July

3 July 1976

East Coast	0–22	Poverty Bay
		Try: George Newlands Pen: Glenn Ross (5) Drop: Glenn Ross

Uawa Domain, Tolaga Bay Referee: Lawrence Robert Woodgate (Bay of Plenty)

14 July 1976

Thames Valley	9–9	King Country
Pen: Graham Bax (3)		Try: Murray Kidd Con: Jim Barr Pen: Jim Barr

Sports Domain, Te Aroha Referee: Ian Burrell (Bay of Plenty)

24 July 1976

Wanganui	28–9	King Country
Try: Richard Murray Brent Dallison Peter Bailey Ray Stafford Bruce Middleton Con: Bob Barrell (4)		Pen: Jim Barr (3)

Spriggens Park, Wanganui Referee: Graeme Anderson (Nelson Bays)

28 July 1976

King Country	6–3	Wairarapa Bush
Try: Paul Bowen Con: Jim Barr		Pen: Neil Kjestrup

The Domain, Taumarunui Referee: Garry Klatt (Counties)

31 July 1976

Waikato	7–8	Wairarapa Bush
Try: Kevin Greene Pen: Andy Baker		Try: Kevin Wayne Carter (2)

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

August

7 August 1976

Horowhenua	11–16	Thames Valley
Try: Mike Nutting Michael Brodie Pen: Michael Brodie		Try: Pita Cherrington David Strange Con: Kerry Moloney Pen: Kerry Moloney (2)

Park Domain Oval, Levin Referee: Ian Diprose (Buller)

10 August 1976

Wairarapa Bush	20–11	Thames Valley
Try: Alistair John O'Neill Con: Neil Kjestrup Pen: Neil Kjestrup (2)		Try: David Strange Donald George McMillan Pen: Allen Henry Fisher

Memorial Park, Masterton Referee: Alan Bailey (Wellington)

12 August 1976

Poverty Bay	13–6	Thames Valley
Try: Glenn Ross Michael Whitehead Con: Glenn Ross Pen: Glenn Ross		Try: Kerry Moloney (2)

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

14 August 1976

Wairarapa Bush	18–4	East Coast
Try: Alistair John O'Neill Ritchie Robertson Con: Neil Kjestrup (2) Pen: Neil Kjestrup (2)		Try: Ray Falcon

Rugby Park, Pahiatua Referee: Warwick Bringans (Wellington)

14 August 1976

Taranaki	16–6	King Country
Try: John O'Sullivan Graham Mourie Con: Steve Davidson Pen: Steve Davidson (2)		Try: Murray Kidd Con: Sam Pye

Rugby Park, New Plymouth Referee: Norm Thomas (Manawatu)

17 August 1976

Thames Valley	12–20	Wanganui
Pen: Graham Bax (4)		Try: Rob Manson Brent Dallison Bruce Patrick Con: Bob Barrell Pen: Bob Barrell (2)

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

18 August 1976

King Country	9–8	Poverty Bay
Try: David Flavell Con: Sam Pye Drop: Malcolm Fluker		Try: Philip Duncan Grant Allen

Island Reserve, Ōtorohanga Referee: Lawrence Robert Woodgate (Bay of Plenty)

19 August 1976

East Coast	3–54	Wanganui
Pen: Terry Roberts		Try: Richard Murray (3) Bruce Patrick (2) Douglas Patchett Rob Manson John Knofflock penalty try Con: Bob Barrell (6) Pen: Bob Barrell (2)

Whakarua Park, Ruatoria Referee: Kevin Hugh Lynch (Poverty Bay)

21 August 1976

Poverty Bay	7–17	Wanganui
Try: Robbie Newlands Pen: John Whittle		Try: John Knofflock Douglas Patchett Con: Bob Barrell (2) Drop: Les Stowell

Rugby Park, Gisborne Referee: Paul Anthony Arthur (Auckland)

21 August 1976

King Country	13–47	Waikato
Try: Murray Kidd Jim Tarrant Con: Jim Barr Pen: Jim Barr		Try: Roger Litt (2) Kevin Magill Murray Taylor Alan Clark Dick Myers Peter Gilbert Con: Andy Baker (5) Pen: Andy Baker (3)

The Domain, Taumarunui Referee: Hugh Miller (Counties)

21 August 1976

Taranaki	6–3	Horowhenua
Pen: Steve Davidson (2)		Pen: Michael Brodie

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

26 August 1976

East Coast	0–41	Taranaki
		Try: Stephen Brophy Dennis Avison Bryce McEldowney Ian Eliason John O'Sullivan Alistair Scown Con: Dennis Avison (4) Pen: Dennis Avison (3)

Whakarua Park, Ruatoria Referee: Gordon Way (Thames Valley)

28 August 1976

Poverty Bay	6–43	Taranaki
Pen: Glenn Ross (2)		Try: Ross Fraser (2) Stephen Brophy (2) Paul Wharehoka Con: Dennis Avison Pen: Dennis Avison (3) Drop: Ian Snook (4)

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

28 August 1976

Horowhenua	12–23	Wairarapa Bush
Try: Robbie Puklowski Michael Brodie Con: Michael Brodie (2)		Try: Michael Barnes (2) Brian McConnochie Bruce Bernard Patrick Con: Neil Kjestrup (2) Pen: Neil Kjestrup

Park Domain Oval, Levin Referee: Lyall Daines (Marlborough)

28 August 1976

Wanganui	21–7	Waikato
Try: Rob Manson Grant Mitchinson Con: Bob Barrell (2) Pen: Bob Barrell (3)		Try: Michael Deane Pen: Andy Baker

Spriggins Park, Wanganui Referee: Tom Doocey (Canterbury)

September

4 September 1976

Poverty Bay	15–14	Waikato
Try: Nigel Shanks Simon Spence Con: John Whittle (2) Pen: John Whittle		Try: Clive Ormsby Dick Myers Drop: Murray Taylor (2)

Rugby Park, Gisborne Referee: Nelson Burton Whittaker (Manawatu)

4 September 1976

Taranaki	42–10	Wairarapa Bush
Try: Stephen Brophy (2) John O'Sullivan (2) Graham Mourie Dave Loveridge Ian Eliason Con: Dennis Avison (4) Pen: Dennis Avison Drop: Paul Martin		Try: Nigel Sargent Pen: Neil Kjestrup (2)

Rugby Park, New Plymouth Referee: Colin John Pedley (Wairarapa Bush)

7 September 1976

East Coast	0–39	Waikato
		Try: Murray Taylor (2) Roger Litt (2) Kevin Magill Peter Gilbert Graeme Irwin Ross McGlashan Con: Andy Baker (2) Pen: Andy Baker

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

8 September 1976

King Country	29–23	Horowhenua
Try: Murray Kidd (3) Graham Potaka Sam Pye David Flavell Con: John Lang (3) Pen: John Lang		Try: Paul Lucas Martin (2) Mike Nutting John William Luoni Con: Michael Brodie (2) Pen: Michael Brodie

Rugby Park, Te Kūiti Referee: Colin William Alford (King Country)

11 September 1976

Waikato	33–7	Horowhenua
Try: Clive Ormsby (2) Kevin Greene (2) John O'Rourke Con: Roger Litt (2) Pen: Roger Litt (3)		Try: Mike Nutting Pen: Michael Brodie

Rugby Park, Hamilton Referee: Peter Richard Harpur (King Country)

11 September 1976

Wairarapa Bush	3–6	Poverty Bay
Pen: Neil Kjestrup		Try: George Newlands Con: John Whittle

Memorial Park, Masterton Referee: Jeremy Gilbert Oakley Stubbs (King Country)

15 September 1976

Horowhenua	23–15	Poverty Bay
Try: Mike Nutting (3) Geoffrey Wilfred Hobson Con: Michael Brodie (2) Pen: Michael Brodie		Try: Graeme Thompson Brett Sherriff Con: Glenn Ross (2) Pen: Glenn Ross

Park Domain Oval, Levin Referee: John Luckin (Taranaki)

16 September 1976

Thames Valley	9–20	Taranaki
Try: Huia Martin Con: Graham Bax Pen: Graham Bax (3)		Try: Dave Loveridge John O'Sullivan Pen: Dennis Avison (3) Drop: Ian Snook

Rugby Park, Waihi Referee: Keith Harold Lawrence (Bay of Plenty)

18 September 1976

Wairarapa Bush	13–19	Wanganui
Try: Bruce Bernard Patrick Pen: Neil Kjestrup (3)		Try: Bob Barrell Richard Murray Con: Bob Barrell Pen: Bob Barrell (3)

Memorial Park, Masterton Referee: Larry Auckram (Horowhenua)

18 September 1976

Waikato	3–9	Taranaki
Pen: Andy Baker		Try: Graham Mourie Con: Dennis Avison Pen: Paul Martin

Rugby Park, Hamilton Referee: Bob Watson (North Auckland)

18 September 1976

King Country	25–10	East Coast
Try: Barry Donovan (2) Murray Kidd Rod Takiari Con: John Lang (3) Pen: Alan McDonald		Try: Jimmy Morice Henry Reedy Con: Terry Roberts

Island Reserve, Ōtorohanga Referee: Lawrence Robert 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
Try: Calvin Cochrane Con: Gerald Hart Pen: Gerald Hart		Try: Stewart Robertson Paul Burgess Bob Neighbours Con: Merrin Hodgson

Victoria Square, Westport Referee: John Gordon Macdonald (North Otago)

July

17 July 1976

Nelson Bays	17–14	Mid Canterbury
Try: Colin Haigh (2) Pen: Bill Lucre (3)		Try: Peter MacGregor Michael Tapley Pen: Michael Tapley (2)

Trafalgar Park, Nelson Referee: Larry Auckram (Horowhenua)

21 July 1976

Buller	6–7	Mid Canterbury
Pen: Gerald Hart (2)		Try: Michael Tapley Pen: Michael Tapley

Victoria Square, Westport Referee: Keith Armstrong (Canterbury)

24 July 1976

West Coast	9–9	Mid Canterbury
Try: Gavin Cook Con: Russell Nelson Pen: Russell Nelson		Pen: Michael Tapley

Cass Square, Hokitika Referee: Peter Richard Harpur (King Country)

31 July 1976

West Coast	6–16	Buller
Pen: Russell Nelson		Try: Alec Fussell Paddy Alexander Con: Gerald Hart Pen: Gerald Hart (2)

Rugby Park, Greymouth Referee: Gordon Way (Thames Valley)

August

7 August 1976

Nelson Bays	24–3	North Otago
Try: Stewart Robertson Bill Lucre Colin Haigh Gary Organ Con: Bill Lucre Pen: Bill Lucre (2)		Pen: Paddy Whyte

Rugby Park, Motueka Referee: Robin Brown (Wairarapa Bush)

14 August 1976

Mid Canterbury	17–13	North Otago
Try: Alan Grieve (2) Michael Tapley Con: Michael Tapley Pen: Michael Tapley		Try: Richard May Paddy Whyte Con: Paddy Whyte Pen: Paddy Whyte

Showgrounds, Ashburton Referee: Laurie Craven (Marlborough)

14 August 1976

South Canterbury	15–9	West Coast
Try: Robin Heron Con: Doug Nicol Pen: Doug Nicol (3)		Try: Colin Skates Con: Russell Nelson Pen: Russell Nelson

Fraser Park, Timaru Referee: Kevin McLoughlin (Otago)

17 August 1976

North Otago	16–7	West Coast
Try: Peter Johnson Paddy Whyte Bill Cooper Con: Paddy Whyte (2)		Try: Bruce Davidson Pen: Russell Nelson

Centennial Park, Oamaru Referee: Murray Jarvis (Southland)

21 August 1976

Buller	14–7	South Canterbury
Try: Tony Mundy (2) John Dickson Con: Gerald Hart		Try: Robin Heron Pen: Doug Nicol

Victoria Square, Westport Referee: Bob Francis (Wairarapa Bush)

24 August 1976

Nelson Bays	10–23	South Canterbury
Try: Greg Lummis Pen: Bill Lucre (2)		Try: Peter Grant Robin Heron Alan McLaren Con: Doug Nicol Pen: Doug Nicol (3)

Trafalgar Park, Nelson Referee: Baden George Whale (Wairarapa Bush)

September

4 September 1976

Mid Canterbury	3–10	South Canterbury
Pen: Michael Tapley		Try: Robin Heron Pen: Doug Nicol Drop: Tony Goddard

Showgrounds, Ashburton Referee: Allan Creighton (Otago)

4 September 1976

Nelson Bays	7–28	West Coast
Try: Colin Haigh Pen: Bill Lucre		Try: Gavin Cook (2) Jim Steffens Con: Russell Nelson (2) Pen: Russell Nelson (2) Drop: Russell Nelson Gavin Cook

Trafalgar Park, Nelson Referee: Allan Lilley (Mid Canterbury)

11 September 1976

South Canterbury	48–3	North Otago
Try: Robin Heron (2) Geoff Hannan (2) Ian Palmer Alan McLaren Neville Richards Paul Hewitson Con: Doug Nicol (5) Pen: Doug Nicol (2)		Pen: Paddy Whyte

Fraser Park, Timaru Referee: Murray Jarvis (Southland)

18 September 1976

North Otago	6–19	Buller
Try: Richard McNamara Con: Barry Simpson		Try: Tony Mundy (2) Lindsay Kearns Con: Tom Aldridge Pen: Tom Aldridge (2)

Centennial Park, Oamaru Referee: Arthur 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