Final round fireworks predicted in club rugby
It’s the end of the road for some teams, but for others in the four grades that conclude their regular seasons, the promise of semi-finals and silverware glory beckons after tomorrow’s matches.
For a look at what might happen tomorrow and where the teams stand in the Premier Jubilee Cup, Hardham Cup, Premier Reserve Ed Chaney Cup and HD Morgan Memorial Cup, Colts John E Kelly Cup and Vic Calcanai Memorial Trophy and Women’s Tia Passi Memorial Cup and Izzy Ford Trophy CLICK HERE
There are also other grades in action tomorrow, including U85kgs, First Grade and Reserve Grade, while another round of President’s rugby is scheduled around the region.
In the Paul Potiki Shield Division 1 U85kg grade, it’s week three of five of the round-robin series. First round winners Avalon, former champions Tawa and the Upper Hutt Rams have all won their opening two matches. The feature match of the round is at Lyndhurst Park at 2.45pm between Tawa and Avalon.
In U85kg Division 2, unbeaten Johnsonville have the bye, while Wests and MSP Red will be gunning for their second wins when they meet at Ian Galloway Park at 2.45pm.
The HOBM Barbarians remain unbeaten in First Grade, and they play long-standing rivals Petone at Petone Rec 3 at 2.45pm in the Johnsonville Centennium Cup. The Upper Hutt Pirates will be seeking their fourth straight win in the Reserve Grade Division 1Paul Donoghue Memorial Cup against Johnsonville at Newlands Park, while the Wests Mixed Veges and Paremata-Plimmerton meet in a top-of-the-table Reserve Grade Division 2 John Davies Cup fixture.
After the previous two weekends of contrasting weather – wet and windy one week and beautifully fine the next – the weather forecast for tomorrow appears to be somewhere in the middle and hopefully any rain forecast stays away.
A look at the six Premier games tomorrow is below. Marist St Pat’s (Jubilee Cup) and the Avalon Wolves (Hardham Cup) have the byes.
Old Boys University Northern United
Venue: Nairnville Park
Referee: Colin Te Pohe
Northern United’s 13-game win streak was snapped by Oriental-Rongotai last Saturday - the hosts surrendering a 26-8 lead.
Norths beat OBU to take a decisive lead in the Swindale Shield standings, but nearly lost a 50-28 lead in that encounter, hanging on in a remarkable tussle by five points.
Are Norths running out of puff?
Without Jackson Garden-Bachop, Norths don't boast the some potency, although Esi Komaisavai returns from injury to the bench. However the forward pack is relativity settled with the likes of Peter Pili and Johnwhite Silva capable starters coming off the bench.
OBU were handsome 31-12 victors over Tawa. Recently arrived Lincoln prop and former world powerlifting champion Joel Hinz has made a favourable impression at prop as has Matt Fowler on the opposite end of the strength spectrum at halfback. Jonothan Fuimaono returns to the bench for this match.
OBU last lost at home on ANZAC Day, to Tawa.
The winner will win the Andy Leslie Trophy and guarantee first place and a home semi-final.
Poneke v Hutt Old Boys Marist
Venue: Kilbirnie Park
Referee: Richard Gordon
Poneke blew their semi-finals chance when they were defeated 25-43 by winless Marist St Pat’s last Saturday. Wellington Lions flanker James Tuia was in damaging form, scoring two tries.
HOBM had the bye and are on 17 points in fourth position, but only five points behind leaders Norths. With a repeat win against Poneke, the Eagles could earn a home semi-final.
HOBM beat MSP 24-7 in their last effort, scoring all their points in the first-half. Big prop Brett Manaia scored two ties.
For the Eagles, loosehead prop Simon Malaeulu plays his 200th Premier game, while first five-eighth Glen Walters plays his 100th.
Poneke wing Johannus Taankink again bagged two tries and Greg Foe is almost certain to win the Billy Wallace Best & Fairest award, making this no pushover for the visitors.
Oriental-Rongotai v Tawa
Venue: Polo Ground
Referee: Jamie Fairmaid
Alex Ropeti’s last minute try against Norths propelled the Magpies into the semi-finals for the seventh time in eight years, but with another win on Saturday they could host a semi.
Openside John Tuia played a blinder against Norths will looked to measure up against relative newcomers like Sio Fidow and Tito Ioane.
Ories are the leading points scorers in the Jubilee Cup and it's hard to see a battling Tawa repeating their Swindale Shield win.
Tawa’s strength will be their experienced front row in Tolu Fahamokioa, Sitiveni Paongo (50th start in this match) and James Coburn, but the loss of backs Pepesana Patafilo, James So’oialo and Kalim Kalemete has been keenly felt.
Upper Hutt Rams v Paremata-Plimmerton
Venue: Maidstone Park
Referee: Steve Newson
Upper Hutt were narrow losers to Petone last Saturday and because of this setback still need a win to guarantee their place in the semi-finals and provide themselves with a chance to defend their title.
Paremata-Plimmerton haven't won in the Hardham Cup yet and lost to Upper Hutt 29-17 in the Swindale Shield. Josh Houston-Tupou, who scored three tries in that game and two in his last start, missed the Villagers clash.
Paremata-Plimmerton have been competitive up front in every game this season and if the likes of Peni Taupau, Alex Hinchliffe and Taisson Lealaisalanoa who is returning from injury, get moving this might not be a forgone conclusion for the Rams.
Johnsonville v Petone
Venue: Helston Park
Referee: Jordan Price
This game will determine one of the hosts for the semi-finals with Petone second on 20 points and Johnsonville third on 16 points.
However if the Hawks stumble for a third time in a row and Wellington upset Wainuiomata with a bonus point, Johnsonville could miss out on the top four altogether.
Both sides have scored a competition leading 22 tries and with the likes of
Waisea Yabakivou, Jeff Makapelu, Adam Simpson and Jarrod Adams on display in the backs there should be plenty of points in this one.
Petone won the Swindale Shield match by over 50 points, but this will be much tighter.
For Petone, long-serving hooker and former captain Eugene Smith will run out for his 200th Premier appearance.
Wellington v Wainuiomata
Venue: Hataitai Park
Referee: Daniel Mangin
If Johnsonville fail to secure a solitary bonus point against Petone and Wellington - twice victors against the Hawks - repeat their Swindale Shield victory with four tries over Wainuiomata then the Axemen could sneak into the semis.
It's unlikely to happen. Wellington have only scored 11 tries in five Hardham Cup games. By contrast Wainuiomata beat Johnsonville 46-36 last Saturday with Matt Jacobs scoring 21 points. Wainuiomata also have Peter Umaga-Jensen at fullback and TJ Va’a at first five-eighth, returning from long-term injuries. Ben Tupuola also rides the pine so their bench is packing power.
Gareth Simpson, Alex Dalzell and Tala Kitekei’aho have been among the Axemen’s best this season.