2004 National Provincial Championship


The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, was the predecessor to the current Air New Zealand Cup and Heartland Championship in New Zealand rugby. 2004 was the 29th year of the National Provincial Championship, Canterbury were the winners of Division 1, Nelson Bays were the winners of Division 2, while Poverty Bay were the winners of Division 3.

Standings

Division 1 Standings

Division 2 Standings

2004 Results

Division One

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Semi Finals

2004 Division One Grand Final

Ranfurly Shield

As the holders of the Ranfurly Shield from the end of 2003, Auckland were the Ranfurly Shield holders in 2004 and started with its first defence against Poverty Bay in Auckland. Auckland won this match and defended it successfully once and lost its third defence of the season to Bay of Plenty. With the unions first ever Ranfurly Shield win, Bay of Plenty won its first ever defence of the shield before losing it to Canterbury who successfully defeated its following challengers to keep the shield for the summer of 2004 and into the 2005 season.
Auckland
Bay of Plenty
Canterbury