The TAB have opened the book on this year's NPC & may have been influenced by the Sonny Bill Williams factor in announcing Canterbury as favourites at a rather short price of $2-50.
 

Other favoured top four teams are Wellington ($3-75), Waikato ($6) & Auckland ($7).
 
As usual they have favoured the big four franchises despite the fact that Auckland has not made the semi finals the past two seasons while both Hawke's Bay & Southland have!
 
If you fancy either of those teams they are at $10.  Meanwhile the rank outsiders at $100 are the usual suspects - Manawatu, North Auckland, Counties & that horrible amalgamation from Sauv Blanc country.