NPC Quarter-Final Betting Tips - Which sides will secure NPC semi-final places?

The quarter-finals of the 2025 NPC season are here, and we have brought together our best bets for two of the biggest games to be played this weekend. 

Otago ended their season with a statement 51-17 away win against Auckland to enter the quarter-finals in fine form. Five consecutive wins had threatened to see Otago move to the summit, and they would have done this had Canterbury have lost their final game. As it was, Otago finished in second, but they will likely be the team many are backing to win the final this year judging by their form. 

Waikato arrive on the back of a 25-19 win over Northland, with this helping them to bounce back from a damning 41-5 loss to Bay Of Plenty in their penultimate match. The worry for Waikato will be that their away form has been patchy of late, with the side losing two of their last three.

The last three times Otago have hosted their opponents, they have won. Had the shoe have been on the other foot, Waikato would have been favourites having won their last three against Otago at home. As it is, Otago have home advantage, and I back them to press this home in a big win. 

Canterbury just about managed to steady the ship heading into the quarter-finals as they secured a 34-14 win over Taranaki in their final match. Having sat at the top of the standings for so long, Canterbury's two-game winless run in which they lost to Otago and shared the points with Northland had threatened to derail them. Positively for Canterbury, they have not lost to their opponents at home, winning each of their six games against Counties Manukau. 

Counties Manukau will arrive for this one as the big underdogs after finishing in eighth and sneaking into the quarter-finals courtesy of Northland's 25-19 loss to Waikato. While the travelling side have won their last five in the competition, their away form has been less spotless. 2025 has seen five away games end in three defeats and two wins. While the travelling side have been better of late, I back their season to end this weekend.