Plenty riding on third round of Premier matches tomorrow
There is much riding on the third round for all Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup contenders tomorrow, where wins for the early frontrunners could go a long way towards making the playoffs and wins for those teams yet to taste second round success could be vital for their semi-finals chances in a few weeks.
This week’s Jubilee Cup action sees games at Jerry Collins Stadium, the Polo Ground and Kilbirnie Park, while Hardham Cup action returns to Evans Bay Park, Fraser Park, Maoribank Park and Hataitai Park.
Tawa (Jubilee Cup) and the Johnsonville Hawks (Hardham Cup) have their byes.
It is the opening weekend of second round Women’s competition matches. The nine teams are now split into two divisions, with the top four finishers from the first round competing for the Tia Paasi Memorial Cup and the bottom five for the Izzy Ford Cup.
The weekend is highlighted by first round winners hosting defending champions Northern United at the Polo Ground, where Jonah Ngan-Woo will reach the milestone of 100 games.
Old Boys University host Petone in the other top flight match, while the two Division 2 contests see Wainuiomata/Avalon meeting at Fraser Park under lights tonight and HOBM and Poneke playing at the Hutt Rec tomorrow. Paremata-Plimmerton have the opening weekend bye.
There is a big Les Mills Colts clash on the Evans Bay Park Artificial between home side and unbeaten Marist St Pats and defending John E Kelly Cup Division 1 champions Old Boys University Green.
Ories host HOBM Green, Tawa play Paremata-Plimmerton and Norths and Petone meet in the other three Colts Division matches. The Avalon Colts can go top in Division 2 if they beat the Wellington Axemen Colts on Kilbirnie Park 3. All Colts games are at 1.00pm.
Either Norths or Petone will remain unbeaten after three rounds of the Premier Reserve Ed Chaney Cup after they meet on the top field at Porirua Park, while MSP return from their bye to try and maintain their winning streak against OBU who are two from two in the HD Morgan Memorial Cup. All Premier Reserve games are also at 1.00pm.
It is the opening weekend of second round First Grade Johnsonville Centennium Cup matches, with last year’s winners the HOBM Barbarians and first round winners Stokes Valley.
The Avalon Wolves U85kg side retained the first-round JC Bowl last weekend. The Wolves play the Upper Hutt Rams in tomorrow’s last round, in a replay of last year’s Championship final won by the Rams.
The Poneke Ruffnuts have secured the Mike Copeland Trophy after winning their fixture by default this weekend against the Upper Hutt Pirates.
There is one first-round title left to be decided. In Reserve Grade Division 2 the Paremata-Plimmerton Punters need just a point against the Wests Mixed Veges tomorrow to secure that title.
A look at each of the Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup games follows below.
Jubilee Cup:
Northern United v Petone
Venue: Jerry Collins Stadium
Referee: Nick Hogan
For Petone to have a good chance of making the semi-finals they must surely win this match. It will be tough for the Villagers whose front row stocks are depleted and as a result have suffered badly at scrum time in the past three games.
By contrast Norths are strong upfront with youngster Qualen Asi making a big impression, Mike Ioapo is just big and Ethan Robinson-Mate is a durable veteran. However, Norths are without No. 8 Luca Rees and Jackson Garden-Bachop.
Petone can call upon their loose forward trio of Jarrod Hrstich, Jacob Gooch and Tupou Sopoaga to work hard for them all match, while halfback Logan Henry is playing well.
Oriental-Rongotai v Hutt Old Boys Marist
Venue: Polo Ground
Referee: Daniel Mangin
The unbeaten Swindale Shield champions suffered their first defeat of the season. Uncharacteristic mistakes saw the Eagles drop to a 21-0 deficit before a late recovery secured a bonus point and they will be looking for a victory over Ories who return from their bye.
Ories had a much needed bye and can take heart from the fact tomorrow’s centre Alex Ropeti has returned from Ireland in good form, scoring two tries in his last start.
The loose forward trios in this match are excellent and expect some fireworks in that battle.
Sheridan Rangihuna has departed for Japan, a loss for HOBM. Brandyn Laursen is starting at second five-eighth.
Ories are holding its inaugural “Old Boys and Girls Day.” This is an opportunity for Ories players to honour their old secondary school by wearing their college school rugby socks, incorporating Premier, Premier Reserve Colts and Women’s teams.
Poneke v Wainuiomata
Venue: Kilbirnie Park
Referee: Richard Gordon
Wainuiomata have won six games in a row, bouncing back to topple Norths last weekend. Poneke revived their season defeating Petone 24-19, Pakai Turia scored 19 points.
Poneke won the Swindale Shield contest by 21-19, a scoreline typical in meetings between these two.
Wainuiomata have a settled pack with Bevan Clark, Teru Time and Ben Tupuola showing all their quality and experience, plus Glen Angus has returned to their squad from Petone. Marvin Karawana and Michael Lealava’a form an experienced midfield combination for Wanuiomata.
Jimmy Hewitt has been in top form for Poneke who have been beaten twice at home in 2019. In the backs, Levi Harmon adds punch at centre.
This is the commentary match on Te Upoko on 1161am.
Hardham Cup:
Marist St Pats v Old Boys University
Venue: Evans Bay Park
Referee: Jack Sargentina
Ironically, two of the form clubs in Wellington clash in a top of the table Hardham Cup clash. MSP have won four in a row and the students three in a row, amassing 203 points in those games.
OBU won the Swindale Shield meeting 15-10, and a similarly close scoreline is likely.
OBU have scored 68 tries this season which is more than any other club, though with 56 tries in 11 games MSP are capable of crossing the chalk with great frequency.
Watch for James Tuia, Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Willie Schutz who are in top form for MSP while Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Sam Reid and Caleb Delany are firing for the Goats.
MSP defends the Bill Brien Challenge Cup.
This match is the Saturday Rugby Club feature commentary game on Radio Sport on 1503am and live on Radio Sport Extra on the iHeart Radio app.
Wellington v Avalon
Venue: Hataitai Park
Referee: Rebecca Mahoney (Wairarapa Bush)
Wellington held Upper Hutt scoreless in the second-half, with Ollie Marshall having a memorable afternoon scoring 22 points, including two tries.
Avalon were handsome 53-27 winners over Johnsonville. Both Scott Waldrom and Jordan Aquila turned back the clock with two tries each, but Waldrom is missing from tomorrow’s line-up. Second five-eighth Ale Peni plays his 50th match.
Avalon won the Swindale Shield clash by 27-15 and have four wins this season as opposed to Wellington’s three.
Others to watch for in this tussle are Wellington’s James Poloniati and the Wolves pivot Thomas Kiwara.
Upper Hutt Rams v Paremata-Plimmerton
Venue: Maoribank Park
Referee: Steve Newson
Paremata-Plimmerton were competitive in patches against OBU, but were punished for basic errors. Peni Taupau is a threat of the back of the scrum and the visitors scrum has been quite settled this year, but they need penetration in their backs.
Upper Hutt scored three tries against the Axemen, before falling apart in the second-spell. They welcome back Lui Luamanu at lock, while Josh Houston-Tupou is in good form and switches to No. 8 for this game and first-five Tynan Barrett punches above his weight.