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North Harbour vs Counties Manukau Betting Tips - North Harbour to struggle at home in NPC clash

ralph-staniforth
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Last updated: Wed 05 Aug 2026 10:55
Counties Manukau and North Harbour both opened the season with defeats, but Counties Manukau can take confidence from having beaten North Harbour in the last two seasons and in recent away encounters. North Harbour continues to struggle with home form, losing four of their last five at home and six of their last seven overall. The recommendation is to back Counties Manukau to cover the +7.5 handicap, as their recent performances and head-to-head record suggest another win could be on the cards for the Steelers.
Ralph Staniforth 3 hours ago
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  • Counties Manukau have won last 2 against North Harbour.
  • North Harbour struggling, with 6 losses in last 7 matches.
  • Tip: Counties Manukau favored to cover +7.5 handicap.
Counties Manukau
Counties Manukau have had success against North Harbour in recent seasons (Getty Images)

North Harbour had a poor season in 2025 and started this one with a defeat as well. While the same fate befell Counties Manukau, they have a stronger record in recent fixtures, going back to 2025.

Key Stats - Counties Manukau can Bounce Back


  • Counties Manukau have won 5 of their last 7 fixtures.
  • Counties Manukau have won 2 of their last 5 away games. 
  • Counties Manukau have won 2 consecutive matches against North Harbour. 
  • North Harbour have lost 6 of their last 7 matches.
  • North Harbour have lost 4 of their last 5 home games. 

North Harbour Lead H2H


In their last 13 encounters, North Harbour hold a 7-6 lead against Counties Manukau. The home side generally has the better of this fixture.

North Harbour Struggles Continue 


North Harbour scored two tries, a conversion, and a penalty in the first half against Tasman last weekend, but trailed by four points at the half-time break.

Harbour added two converted tries to their tally in the second half but came up short, losing 31-29 to Tasman away from home. 

Last season, North Harbour lost to Counties Manukau 22-19 away from home.

North Harbour did not get the result in their previous fixture, and did not have much success at home during the closing stages of last season, losing four of their last five matches. 

Counties Manukau In-Form despite Defeat


Counties Manukau failed to score any points in the first half against Taranaki last weekend, going into the break trailing 10-0.

Counties Manukau added a solitary try in the second half but had no answer against Taranaki, losing 20-5 at home. 

In 2024, the Steelers had success against North Harbour away from home, winning 36-33. 

Counties Manukau did not have the best start to their new National Provincial Championship, but have defeated North Harbour in the past two seasons, including away from home, giving them the edge to come out on top against their opponents. 

North Harbour vs Counties Manukau Starting Lineups & Team News


North Harbour

Tom Barham scored a brace against Tasman last weekend. 

Bryn Gordon and Leo Gordon scored a try each in the match. 

Cameron Howell slotted two conversions and a penalty, while Coby Miln landed one conversion. 

Starting XV: Tony Tafa, Bryn Gordon, Leka Tu'ungafasi, Tristyn Cook, Jack Lee, James Fiebig, Motikiai Murray, Jed Melvin (C), Bryn Hall, Cameron Howell, Rory Taylor, Oskar Koller, Leo Gordon, Thomas Barham, Kade Banks

Replacements: Moses Hafoka, Oscar Cowley-Andrea, Riley Tofilau, Taeao Pomale Time, George Reeves, Te Aonui Wharawhara-Muriwai, Coby Miln, Hunter Rice

Counties Manukau

Jimmy Tupou scored the solitary try for his team against Taranaki last weekend. 

Starting XV: Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Ioane Moananu, Atunaisa Moli, Ola Taulangi, Jimmy Tupou (C), Jonty Short, Adam Brash, Cam Church, Jonathan Taumateine, AJ Alatimu, Josh Gray, Gibson Popoali'i, Tomasi Alosio, Antonio Popoali'i, Simon-Peter Toleafoa

Replacements: Rico McQuoid, Jarred Adams, Tom Polo, Veikoso Poloniati, Aporosa Vuniyayawa, Melani Matavao, Larenz Tupaea-Thomsen, Jackson Rainsford

Verdict

Counties Manukau have had success against North Harbour in the past two seasons of the NPC and are tipped to cover the +7.5 handicap.

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ralph-staniforth
Ralph Staniforth

Sports Editor • 15+ Years of Experience, South African Sports Specialist

Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town. 


He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side. Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport. 

Over the last seven years he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa. 

Ralph has been betting on sports for the last ten years. He’s knowledgeable on numerous topics including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and golf. 


He supports Manchester United (football), Cheetahs (rugby), Knights (cricket) and has a newly found appreciation for Dominic Thiem on the tennis courts.

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