New England Free Jacks head coach Ryan Martin is 80 minutes away from making history on the other side of the world. On Monday, October 26, Martin’s Northland Taniwha meet Canterbury in the Hilux NPC Grand Final at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, with the chance to claim the province’s first-ever National Provincial Championship.

A SEASON ALREADY FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

Northland had never reached a top-flight NPC final before this year. Under Martin, now in his second season in charge, the Taniwha finished the round robin second on the table with seven wins from ten games, scoring 50 tries along the way. They have won more Division 1 games this year than in any season in their history.

The highlight came on August 20, when Northland stunned Canterbury 36-12 in Christchurch to lift the Ranfurly Shield. It ended a 48-year wait for the Log o’ Wood, and it was Northland’s first win over Canterbury since 1999 and their first in Christchurch since 1987.

The Shield is New Zealand rugby’s oldest and most storied provincial prize. Donated by the Earl of Ranfurly in 1902, it works on a challenge basis: the holder puts it on the line in home matches, and any team that beats them takes it. Northland first won it in 1950, and their last tenure began in 1978 with a 12-10 win over Manawatū. Canterbury hold the record for successful challenges, but their 2026 tenure lasted just 11 days before Northland took it north.

Northland’s reign ended on September 26, when Counties Manukau won 22-19 in Whangārei. Rather than fade, the Taniwha responded with three straight wins. They came back from 14-0 down to edge Tasman 26-21 in the quarterfinal, then dismantled 2025 runners-up Otago 38-19 in Whangārei to book their place in the decider.

MATCH PREVIEW

The challenge on Monday is as big as it gets. Canterbury are the defending champions and 15-time title winners, and they arrive on a seven-game winning streak after a 38-28 semifinal win over Taranaki. Since 2007, they have won 23 of 25 home finals matches. They are boosted by the return of new All Black Chay Fihaki, alongside fellow internationals Jamie Hannah and Sam Darry, with hooker Brodie McAlister captaining.

Northland will be led by captain and first-five Rivez Reihana, the Crusaders playmaker who kicked 18 points in the semifinal. Crusaders-bound midfielder Corey Evans goes head to head with Dallas McLeod, the man he will replace at the Super Rugby franchise, and veteran halfback Sam Nock plays his final game in Northland colors before heading to Japan. The Taniwha will be without Rob Rush, who scored twice in the Ranfurly Shield win, but a forward pack anchored by props Esile Fono and Marcel Renata has been a weapon all season.

NATHAN SALMON: A FAMILIAR FACE OFF THE BENCH

Free Jacks fans will recognize the No. 23 on the Northland team sheet. Winger Nathan Salmon, a Whangārei native who came through the Northland academy, joined New England for the 2026 MLR season after playing under Martin at Northland. He started seven games for the Free Jacks, scored three tries, and beat more defenders than any other right wing in the league.

Salmon carried that form home, scoring twice in Northland’s 40-14 season-opening win over Manawatū. He has been named on the bench for the final, ready to bring fresh pace in the closing stages.

The final also caps a breakout year for the 21-year-old. Salmon has signed an All Blacks Sevens contract for the 2027 season, a big step onto the world stage for a player who was lighting up Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy just a few months ago.

Whatever happens on Monday, 2026 has been a landmark year for Northland. One more win, and Martin and Salmon will bring an NPC title to Northland for the first time in the province’s history.

HOW TO WATCH

The final kicks off at 2:10 p.m. Monday in Christchurch, which is 9:10 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, October 25. New Zealand Rugby is streaming the match live on the All Blacks YouTube channel, with the stream available in selected countries. Fans in the US can also watch on RugbyPass TV, with full match replays posted there afterward.

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