Roigard, Ioane and Clarke Among All Blacks Back for Provincial Duty

· Lynn McConnell · action press
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Bunnings NPC sides will get a significant boost in All Blacks returning to their provincial roots at the weekend.

Thirteen players from the 2025 Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship squad have been released to eight of the teams for Round 8 to be played over the weekend.

Most interest will centre on returning halfback Cam Roigard, who has been out of action since the July series against France.

With the latest blow to halfback stocks occurring with Noah Hotham out for the remainder of the season following surgery on his broken ankle, a quick return to form by Roigard would be a boost for the All Blacks ahead of the Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia.

Roigard will play for Counties Manukau against Auckland at Pukekohe on Saturday afternoon at 2.05pm.

On the Auckland side, the team will feature centre/wing Rieko Ioane and left-wing Caleb Clarke, who has already made two appearances for them.

But first up, on Friday, will be lock Josh Lord, who has been injury cover in the All Blacks squad. He will play in New Plymouth for Taranaki against Hawke's Bay.

Wellington will host Southland at Porirua Park on Saturday at 2.05 pm with three returning players, flanker Peter Lakai, halfback Kyle Preston and fullback Ruben Love.

Otago head to Christchurch to meet Canterbury with prop George Bower for their 4.35 pm game on Saturday. 

In Blenheim at 7.10 pm, on Saturday, Waikato will field loose forwards Samipeni Finau and Luke Jacobson, and centre Anton Lienert-Brown against a Tasman side with midfield back Leicester Fainga'anuku back in the mix.

Prop Pasilio Tosi will travel to Palmerston North with Bay of Plenty for their 4.35pm game against Manawatū on Sunday.

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