1979 National Provincial Championship

New Zealand rugby union tournament in 1979 July 2026 The 1979 season was the fourth year of the National Provincial Championship (NPC), a provincial rugby union competition in New Zealand. Counties were the winners of Division 1.National Provincial Competition winners, 1976–2014 Rugby union Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/40019/national-provincial-competition-winners-1976-2014 2026-07-19 teara.govt.nz en Division 1 Relegated to Division Two Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts1Counties y1090115884+74182Auckland y1080217588+87163Wellington y10802176116+60164Canterbury y10703146115+31145North Auckland y1060411699+17126Bay of Plenty y10514158148+10117Manawatu y10415121106+1598Taranaki y10307120140−2069Southland y10208106169−63410South Canterbury y1010981212−131211Otago y1010988168−802 Promotion/relegation As the bottom-placed North Island team, Taranaki were automatically relegated. Division Two North winner Hawkes Bay were promoted to Division One. Otago faced Division Two South winner Marlborough, defeating them 15–13 to remain in Division One. Division Two Division 2 North (in order of final placing) Hawke's Bay Waikato Poverty Bay Wanganui Horowhenua Thames Valley King Country Wairarapa Bush East Coast Division 2 South (in order of final placing) Marlborough Mid Canterbury Buller Nelson Bays North Otago West Coast Ranfurly Shield North Auckland began the season as holders having defeated Manawatu the season before. They defended the Shield in five matches before being defeated by Auckland. Auckland then successfully defended against Counties in the final match of the season that pitted the shield holders against the national champions. North Auckland beat King Country 21–6 beat Thames Valley 35–6 beat Marlborough 29–6 beat South Canterbury 20–12 beat Taranaki 23–11 lost to Auckland 3–9 Auckland beat Counties 11–9 References 1979 1