All teams underway in second round this weekend

Four teams are in action for the first time in the second round tomorrow in the second round of Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup matches.

Defending champions Old Boys University (Jubilee Cup) and Petone (Hardham Cup) come off their opening round byes, while Poneke and Northern United (both Jubilee Cup) take to the championship fields for the first time. The Norths-Poneke match that was deferred last week has been re-scheduled to next Wednesday.

Northern neighbours Tawa and Johnsonville have their byes this weekend. 

In the curtain-raiser Premier Reserve games, the leading two sides from the recently completed Harper Lock Shield clash at Evans Bay Park, with first-round winners MSP coming off their first loss of the year (to Ories) and Norths the unscheduled week off last Saturday. HOBM were upset winners over Tawa last weekend and they host OBU who are coming off their bye.

The three HD Morgan matches have first-up winners Wainuiomata hosting the Upper Hutt Rams at William Jones and Wellington heading out to Ngati Toa to face Pare-Plim. The third match has Petone hosting Avalon.

The women’s competition takes a weekend off, ahead of the start of the second round. There is a Wellington Pride trial match taking place tomorrow for the leading players.

It is the Les Mills Colts competition; last week’s winners HOBM and OBU play at the Hutt Rec, while first-round champions Marist St Pat’s are playing last year’s winners Petone just down the road in two Division 1 John E Kelly Cup matches. There are two Division 2 Vic Calcinai Trophy games tonight, at Te Whaea and Alex Moore Park.

In a feature ninth round match of the U85kg JC Bowl competition, third-placed Upper Hutt Rams host leaders and unbeaten Avalon at Maidstone Park. 

Note the earlier kick-off times on Saturday owing to the All Blacks versus France second Test at Westpac Stadium. Early matches are at 12.30pm and main ones at 2.15pm.

Jubilee Cup:

Marist St Pat’s v Northern United
Venue: Evans Bay Park
Referee: Nick Hogan

MSP blew a 17-3 lead to lose to Ories on Saturday and having dropped four of their last five; face the daunting prospect of hosting Norths who thrashed MSP 64-36 a fortnight ago to win the Swindale Shield.

Norths had a rest last week and have won nine on the trot. Jackson Garden-Bachop isn’t playing and his influence has been big lately. Flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi is and he is in outstanding form and the forwards appear to have the skill and resolve to flourish in the wet if that eventually arrives on a Saturday.

Veteran Fa’atonu Fili has been recalled for MSP and was at times stellar at the Polo Ground. Norths will target the MSP set-piece which has struggled the last month.

Norths last win the Swindale/Jubilee double in 2010.

Hutt Old Boys Marist v Old Boys University  
Venue: Hutt Rec
Referee: Vincent Ringrose

The last time these sides played Tomasi Palu scored four tries in a resounding victory for the students. Unfortunately, the former Tongan international has abruptly retired following a serious injury. The loss of the accomplished halfback is a serious blow to the Billygoats title defence.

The Eagles forward pack is close to full strength with both Manana brothers back and Chase Tiatia and Albert Polu have added some much-needed flair in the backs. Tiatia is absent tomorrow, however, replaced by Matt Poole at fullback. Lise Soloa returns to No. 8 a married man.

Will Mangos and Sam Coventry have been in supreme form for OBU who will look to use the speed and efficiently of their back row to negate the bigger tight-five and lineout drive HOBM enjoys.

Oriental-Rongotai v Poneke
Venue: Polo Ground
Referee: Jamie Fairmaid

Ories have won five of their last six and reversed a 17-3 deficit to topple MSP last weekend.

Ories forwards have a sturdier set-piece than the previous month and No.8 Luca Rees has scored 18 tries. Captain Tuakana Metuarau is growing in stature every week.

The midfield duo of Alex Ropeti and Malo Tuitama is flourishing while fullback Andrew Ellis saved two tries six days ago.

Poneke captain Greg Foe enjoys a commanding lead in the best and fairest standings and will lead a fresh line up, that is captained by lock Cole Stewart who started his rugby life in the midfield.

Poneke won the last meeting 28-25, expect a similarly close scoreline.

Hardham Cup

Petone v Avalon Wolves
Venue: Petone Rec
Referee: Colin Te Pohe

In the last three rounds Petone only needed one point to make the Jubilee Cup and failed. How will the Villagers respond?

In 2016, Petone made the Hardham Cup final only to loss to HOBM. Petone should have too much firepower for Avalon and won the first round meeting 28-5.

No.8 Tupou Sopoaga scored seven tries in the Swindale Shield while fullback Adam Simpson showed promise. Look for a big second round from halfback Carlos Price, starting tomorrow.

Avalon's Daniel Sione-Leota is having a fine season, but the Wolves are down a few key forwards which could make like tricky for rookie halfback Waylon Tuhoro-Robinson who has made a favourable impression and Chris Aumua who has scored 10 tries and has been named at centre for this one after playing pivot last weekend.

Wainuiomata v Upper Hutt Rams
Venue: William Jones Park
Referee: Richard Kelly

The Upper Hutt Rams suffered the indignity of being the first team to lose Johnsonville last Saturday, another poor defensive effort proving costly. 

The Rams have scored 57 tries in 2018, but unless they can make some tackles the prospects of victory at William Jones Park are bleak.

Hurricane Peter Umaga-Jensen scored two tries for Wainui in the narrow win against Pare-Plim but is missing from their line-up for this one and halfback Waiariki Koia is also an additional attacking threat.

For Upper Hutt, Kaide McCashin has recently returned in the nine jersey after a long spell on the sidelines and Josh Houston-Tupou remains in top form at No. 8.

Paremata-Plimmerton v Wellington
Venue: Ngatitoa Domain
Referee: Mike Pinfold 

Wellington have won three games in a row but suffered a 14-8 defeat in their last encounter against the hosts.

Wellington have added some new forwards like Ryan Dawson and Ranui Burchett who have added some punch while halfback Gareth Simpson has scored two tries in two weeks.

Paremata-Plimmerton will have to avoid the slow start that cost them against Wainuiomata. Regular forwards Taisson Lealaisalanoa, James Corcoran and Peni Taupau all scored tries last Saturday and will look to carry on their form which helped the hosts win three Swindale Shield games. Wellington have outscored Pare-Plim 40 tries to 36.