Northland's first final, Canterbury's 16th title bid: the NPC final on Labour Day

In the 50th season of the competition, the NPC final on Monday pits the most successful province of the century against one that has never been here. Canterbury, the defending champions, host Northland at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch at 2.10pm on Labour Day, the first time the final has been played on a weekday.

Northland's moment

Northland have been playing first-division rugby since the competition began in 1976 and have never won it. Their previous best finish was fourth, in 1979. This season they beat Canterbury 36-12 in Christchurch in August to take the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1978, beat Tasman 26-21 in the quarterfinal after trailing 14-0, and beat Otago 38-19 in Whangārei in the semifinal.

"Winning it would be just incredible," said union president Glenn Taylor, a former Northland captain, who called this "as good a chance as we've ever had". Lock Josh Goodhue said going to a final was "just a dream come true".

Canterbury's record

Canterbury beat Taranaki 38-28 in their semifinal and are chasing a 16th title, which would take them to one behind Auckland's record 17. No province has won more titles since 2000. They welcome back four All Blacks: Jamie Hannah starts at lock, George Bell is on the bench, Sam Darry stays in the second row, and Chay Fihaki returns on the wing after making his All Blacks debut against the Wallabies in Sydney. Isaac Hutchinson, who scored 13 points in the semifinal, drops to the bench, and Tahlor Cahill moves there too.

The teams

Canterbury: Finlay Brewis, Brodie McAlister (captain), Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Sam Darry, Xavier Treacy, Corey Kellow, Dom Gardiner, Louie Chapman, Andrew Knewstubb, Kurtis MacDonald, Jone Rova, Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl. Reserves: George Bell, Lewis Ponini, Gus Brown, Tahlor Cahill, Torian Barnes, Tyson Belworthy, James Cameron, Isaac Hutchinson.

Northland: Esile Fono, James Mullan, Marcel Renata, Josh Goodhue, Allan Craig, Grady Forbes, Lachlan Hooper, Terrell Peita, Sam Nock, Rivez Reihana (captain), Brady Rush, Reesjan Pasitoa, Corey Evans, Heremaia Murray, Jordan Trainor. Reserves: Jordan Hutchings, Olly Ryan, Daniel Botha, Heath MacEwan, Darcy Holwell, Josh Renton, James Ramm, Nathan Salmon.

Storylines

Rivez Reihana, the Northland captain, kicked 18 points against Otago. Marcel Renata, who scored twice in that semifinal, is named at tighthead despite reports of a suspected broken collarbone at half-time in Whangārei; his fitness is one to watch on the day. Fullback James Ramm returns on the bench after missing the semifinal, while wing Rob Rush, who scored twice in the Shield win in August, is still unavailable.

Halfback Sam Nock plays his last game for Northland before a move to Japan. Openside Lachlan Hooper, the younger brother of Wallaby Tom Hooper, has signed with the Queensland Reds for 2027. "One thing I know about finals footy is that it will be a hundred per cent tougher," he said. In midfield, Northland centre Corey Evans faces Dallas McLeod, the man he is replacing at the Crusaders next year; McLeod joins Exeter after the final.

James Doleman referees. Some outlets have listed a 1.30pm or 2.05pm start; the official kick-off is 2.10pm.