Preview: Air NZ Cup, Round Four
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:58
The spotlight shifts from the discarded to the holders as the Air New Zealand Cup enters Round Four, which has a Ranfurly Shield Challenge match between Auckland and Manawatu on Saturday.
Obviously there's all the drama of Air NZ Cup points and a jostling for positions even this early on, but when the Shield is on offer then other games tend to pale into significance.
What is adding spice to the weekend is the apparent vulnerability of the defending Air NC Cup champions and Shield holders, Auckland.
It starts, as usual, with a Thursday game - in which Counties Manukau take on Otago. Friday will see Northland host Bay of Plenty and Southland up against the table-topping Wellington Lions.
Saturday's action starts with the Shield Challenge between Auckland and Manawatu, followed by Tasman against Hawke's Bay and Taranaki versus Canterbury. Sunday's North Harbour versus Waikato encounter completes the weekend's action.
We look at all the Week Three matches.
Thursday, August 21:
Counties Manukau v Otago
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, 19.05 (07.05 GMT)
After their impressive start - a win over Auckland in Week One - Counties Manukau have come unstuck badly, conceding 109 points and scoring just 10 in two very heavy defeats.
They will be looking to put their campaign back on track, but visiting them is a team that has shown steady improvement and determined to move into the top four on the standings.
But for the Steelers to upstage Otago they will have to plug the gaps that appeared so regularly in their defensive line in the last two weeks.
Coach Greg Aldous admitted that his team have to step up in certain areas.
Aldous pointed to "one-on-one tackling" as one of those areas.
"We know that everyone is aware of what we have to do and we go about it each day at training."
However, he remained upbeat ahead of the Otago clash.
"It is a good competition, probably the best comp [of its kind] in the world. And certainly the margin for error is very small," Aldous told Yahoo!Xtra.
"We have 15 or 16 players who haven't played at this level before. So it won't happen overnight. It is a happy camp. We will keep learning, keep building and hopefully start winning."
These two teams have played in 28 matches since 1961, with the 'scoreboard' standing at an amazing 14 matches all in the wins and losses column. However, Otago have the biggest winning margin of 36 in a 43–7 win in 1990.
Prediction: Counties don't attract big crowds at Mt Smart Stadium, which is actually outside the provincial boundaries, and 'home ground advantage' should not be a big factor. We will go for Otago to win by 15 points.
Teams:
Counties Manukau Steelers: 15 Siale Piutau, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Niva
Ta'auso, 12 Dean Cummins, 11 David Raikuna, 10 Tanner Vili, 9 Samisoni Fisilau, 8 Gary Saifoloi, 7 Fritz Lee, 6 DJ Forbes, 5 Andrew Van der Heijden (captain), 4 Jamie Chipman, 3 Jayden Murch/Eugene Beneke, 2 Lance Po-ching, 1 Simon Lemalu.
Replacements: 16 Ilaisa Maasi, 17 Eugene Beneke/Rob Katu, 18 Rupeni Nasiga, 19 Viliami Fihaki, 20 Romi Ropati, 21 Kevin Farrell, 22 Sherwin Stowers.
Otago: 15 Glen Horton, 14 Lucky Mulipola, 13 Brett Mather, 12 Aaron Bancroft, 11 Karne Hesketh, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Toby Morland, 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Craig Newby (captain), 6 Seko Qaraniqio, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Ross Kennedy, 3 Ben Nolan, 2 Jason MacDonald, 1 Keith Cameron.
Replacements: 16 Peter Mirrielees, 17 Jed Vercoe/Sam Hibbard, 18 Paul Grant, 19 Eben Joubert, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Daniel Bowden, 22 Ben Smith.
Referee: Josh Noonan
TMO: Matt Stanish
Friday, 22
August
Northland v Bay Of Plenty
Okara Park, Whangarei, 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
It appears the Bay of Plenty Steamers may have truly buried the ghosts of 2007 - a season that saw record financial losses and hopeless onfield implosions.
After three rounds they are still unbeaten and why BoP may not have convinced all their detractors just yet, almost 10,000 spectators watched at Baypark last week as the Steamers overcame North Harbour in a nailbiter to stay in touch with the only other unbeaten team - the Table-topping Wellington Lions.
Much of the credit for last week's win were heaped on the loose trio of Colin Bourke, Solomon King and Tanerau Latimer - the latter also taking over the captaincy.
Latimer spoke this week of the need to get the players feet "back on the ground", but remained confident they will continue to build on their impressive start.
The other key player is first five-eighth (No.10) Mike Delany, who will look to create havoc in the Northland defensive lines this week.
They will also look to the pace of Sevens start Zar Lawrence to give them that attacking edge from deep.
These two sides have met on 50 occasions, with Northland winning 30 and Bay of Plenty 19. BoP have the biggest winning margin, 48 points in a 51–3 win in 2005.
Prediction: The Steamers look a class act this year and we expect them to continue their good form. The BoP Steamers to win by at least 10 points.
Teams:
Northland: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Aiden Dewes, 12 Leo Taliu, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 David Holwell, 9 James Rodley, 8 Blair Urlich, 7 Hamish Patterson, 6 Justin Collins (captain), 5 Marty Veale, 4 Dan Goodwin, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Tyler Ashworth, 1 Tony Coughlan.
Replacements: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Justin Davies, 18 Roy Griffin, 19 Joel
McKenty, 20 Kaino Kaino, 21 Derek Carpenter, 22 Damien Fakafanua.
Bay Of Plenty: 15 Zar Lawrence, 14 Lance MacDonald, 13 Cory Aporo, 12 Nigel Hunt, 11 Jason Hona, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer (captain), 6 Solomon King, 5 Culum Rettalick, 4 John Moore, 3 James McGougan, 2 John Pareanga, 1 Joe Savage.
Replacements: 16 Dean Elmiger, 17 Arden David-Perrot, 18 Aiden Kuka, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Josh Hall, 21 Pauli Asaeli, 22 Teu Nafe.
Referee: Chris Pollock
TMO: Ben Skeen
Southland v Wellington
Rugby Park, Invercargill, 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
This game - between the most southerly team of the North Island against the most southerly province of the South Island - did not need to be spiced up.
However, the addition of All Blacks Neemia Tialata and Piri Weepu to the Wellington Lions team for Friday's encounter will almost ensure that Southland prop Jamie Mackintosh's hope of seeing 10,000 people through the turnstiles at Rugby Park will be realised.
Weepu will certainly play a pivotal role, as he starts at No.10 for Wellington and also takes over the captaincy again.
The Lions, unbeaten and with 15 points from a possible 15, have been the form team and remain the benchmark of the competition.
But Southland, with two wins from three starts, will be confident they can upstage the fancied visitors.
The home team will be a touch disappointed that Southland's All Black scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan hasn't been released - but it is all based on workload at international level and the All Black first choice No.9 has been a busy man.
Wellington has amassed a hefty 124 points in the opening three rounds of the Air NZ Cup and has conceded just 40 in the process.
Southland's biggest ally would be the boisterous Rugby Park fans.
The two teams have met 86 times since 1896 and Wellington have a clear edge with 56 wins to the 23 from Southland. Wellington also have the biggest winning margin - 60 (60–0), achieved in 1910.
Prediction: Expect the Lions to continue their unbeaten run, but having to work hard for it. The Wellington Lions by 10 points or less.
Teams:
Southland: 15 Mark Wells, 14 Matt Saunders, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Jason Kawau (captain), 11 Pehi Te Whare, 10 Blair Stewart, 9 Dane Shelford, 8 Hua Tamariki, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Dion Bates, 5 Hoani Macdonald, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 David Hall, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Fai Mika, 18 Daniel Ramsay, 19 John Hardie, 20 Scott Cowan, 21 Willie Rickards, 22 Robbie Robinson.
Wellington Lions: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Piri Weepu (captain), 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Thomas
Waldrom, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Api Naikatini, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Eugene Smith, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Scott Fuglistaller, 19 Chris Masoe, 20 Fa'atonu Fili, 21 Michael Hobbs, 22 Buxton Popoalii.
Referee: Steve Walsh
TMO: Brent Murray
Saturday, August 23:
Auckland v Manawatu
Eden Park, Auckland, 14.35 (02.35 GMT)
We don't need to emphasise the point, but this is the match of the weekend - with the Manawatu Turbos sensing an opportunity to snatch the Shield from Auckland.
Not even the return from international duty of All Blacks John Afoa, Keven Mealamu and Isaia Toeava could dampen the Turbos' spirits as they relish their first Shield challenge in almost two decades.
Manawatu coach Dave Rennie made no secret of the fact that they are ready to take the step up against a vulnerable-looking Auckland outfit.
"Manawatu have not had a challenge since 1991 so we just want to go out and enjoy the moment. We'll certainly have a crack," he told NZPA.
Manawatu's first and only Shield reign began in 1976, when they beat Auckland 12-10. They went on to defend it 13 times before the glory days were ended by North Auckland.
The big question is what will the arrival of the All Blacks do to Auckland, who are second from bottom on the standings with one win from three starts. They looked decidedly out of sorts in their 3-34 defeat against Canterbury last week and it is the loss of key personnel that has made them so vulnerable.
However, the return of the All Blacks will provide some experience to this depleted team.
Manawatu, who beat Canterbury in the first round, are coming off a 38-38 draw with Waikato last weekend - not the ideal result coming into a Shield challenge, but they showed enough to ensure they can go home with some silverware.
They will look to teenage sensation Aaron Cruden, 19, to reproduce the form that saw the Turbos come back from trailing 16-38 against Waikato to snatch a draw.
"We showed a lot of character coming back for the draw [against Waikato], but we can't afford a similar start against Auckland," Rennies told NZPA.
"But there's a lot of belief within the squad [after beating Canterbury in Round One] - we know if we front we can be competitive but we've got to front up for 80 minutes."
These teams have met 22 times, with Auckland leading the race with 16 wins and Manawatu just six victories. Auckland has the mark for the biggest win, by 56 in a 59–3 win in 1988.
Prediction: We feel they will be celebrating in Turbos country. Manawatu to win, by 10 points, and take the Shield home.
Teams:
Auckland: 15 Lachie Munro, 14 Watisoni Lotawa, 13
Ben Atiga (captain), 12 Benson Stanley, 11 David Smith, 10 Isaia Toeava, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Kurtis Haiu, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Chris Lowrey, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Paea Fa'anunu.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Dean Budd, 19 Onosa'i Auva'a, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Jamie Helleur, 22 Winston Stanley.
Manawatu: 15 Francisco Bosch, 14 Lote Raikabula, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Francis Bryant, 11 Andre Taylor, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Goode, 8 Nick Crosswell, 7 Josh Bradnock, 6 Hamish Gosling, 5 Paul Rodgers, 4 Hayden Triggs, 3 David Te Moana, 2 Rob Foreman, 1 Grant Poulson.
Replacements: 16 Sean O'Connor, 17 Talau Hala, 18 James Goode, 19 Doug Tietjens/Adaam Ross, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Aaron James, 22 Kurt Baker.
Referee: Keith Brown
Touch judges: Chris Pollock, Josh Noonan
TMO: Ben
Skeen
Tasman v Hawke's Bay
Lansdowne Park, Blenheim, 17.30 (05.30 GMT)
Having made their statement - after the Air NC Cup cull announcement last week - the Tasman Makos now have to prove that they are not one-hit wonders. Consistency is what impresses critics and they will need to keep hammering home the point that they deserve a place at the main table of New Zealand domestic rugby.
Flank Jonathan Poff hammered home the point that more wins are needed if they hoped it would send the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) a clear message.
"One of the main ways we can give it to the New Zealand Rugby Union is put the performances out on the field and get a few wins on the board," he told the Nelson Mail.
"It's not really in our hands at the moment so all we can do is play good rugby," he said of the decision to cull the Turbos from next year's competition.
Coach Todd Blackadder urged more patience from his players for their upcoming game.
"I think, under pressure, we were just trying too hard, to be honest, and tried doing things that we'd never done before," he said of the win over Taranaki last week.
"It is about settling down and getting into our game plan and playing down in their half," he told the Nelson Mail.
The Hawke's Bay Magpies failed to fire a shot in anger as they went down to a feisty Southland outfit last week and they will no doubt have to lift their game somewhat or the Makos will make another 'statement'.
The teams have played just once, Tasman winning 23-17 last year.
Prediction: The adrenaline is gone and the Makos will have to rely on their talent against what could be a fired up Magpies outfit. Hawke's Bay to sneak a win - by less than 10 points.
Teams:
Tasman: 15 Robbie Malneek, 14 Blair Cook, 13 Andrew Goodman (captain), 12 Joel Iggo, 11 Kade
Poki, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Mark Bright, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Jonathan Poff, 5 Alex Ainley, 4 Will Crutchley, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Dan Perrin, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Tristan Moran, 18 Joe Wheeler, 19 Glen Gregory, 20 Lua Vailoaloa, 21 Mike Pehi, 22 James MarshallC
Hawke's Bay: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Jason Kupa, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Daniel Waenga, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Danny Lee (captain), 8 George Naoupu, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Johnson, 5 Bryn Evans, 4 Matt Egan, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Hikawera Elliot, 1 Faka'anaua Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Josh Keys, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Adam Bradey, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Sam Giddens, 22 Mark Jackman.
Referee: Kelvin Deaker
TMO: Steve Walsh
Taranaki v Canterbury
Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Canterbury put themselves back into a play-off (top four) position with their big win over the defending champion Auckland side last week, but consistency has not been a hallmark of the Christchurch team this season.
They now need to show they can kick on from that victory, as the team full of youngsters look to cement a place among the leading pack.
Canterbury backs coach John Haggart said the squad had gained a lot in terms of belief from their win over Auckland, but were still a long way from the finished article.
"We had talked about how we can get better as a team, rather than just isolating backs and forwards as two separate entities ... I think there's a lot more learning that can take place."
Canterbury will again look towards season players - like Wyatt Crockett, Campbell Johnstone, Michael Paterson, Kieran Read, Mose Tuiali'i, Tim Bateman and Scott Hamilton - the provide the stability needed for the trip to New Plymouth.
The two teams have met 53 time since 1892, with Canterbury's 38 victories giving them a clear lead. Canterbury also have the biggest winning margin, 34 in a 43–9 win in 2000.
Prediction: Taranaki certainly look vulnerable and Canterbury look to have found some form. Canterbury to win comfortably - 15 points or more.
Teams:
Taranaki: 15 Asalemo Malo, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Shayne Austin, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Brett Goodin, 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Nemia Soqeta, 5 Craig Clarke, 4 Jason Eaton, 3 Shane Cleaver, 2 Laurence Corlett, 1 Tony Penn (captain).
Replacements: 16 James Annabell, 17 Carl Carmichael, 18 Leon Power, 19 Alex Tulou, 20 Brendan Haami, 21 Corey Niwa, 22 Jack Cameron.
Canterbury: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 James Paterson, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7
George Whitelock, 6 Kieran Read (captain), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Steve Fualau, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Richard Wheeler, 17 Peter Borlase, 18 Nasi Manu, 19 Hayden Hopgood, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Endo Kosuke.
Referee: Jonathon White
TMO: Brent Murray
Sunday, August 24:
North Harbour v Waikato
North Harbour Stadium, Albany, 14.35 (02.35 GMT)
It is not where you would expect these two teams to be on the standings - in positions 11 and 10 respectively.
North Harbour have yet to win a game, but four bonus points suggest they are not that far off the mark and may well have had a couple of wins under their belt. They have lost all three their games with seven points or less and even have a four-try bonus point.
Waikato, while also still without a win, at least have a draw to their name. They also have a four-try bonus point, showing that they too can score tries.
They will also be boosted by the return of All Blacks Stephen Donald and Sione Lauaki for the next two rounds of the Air New Zealand Cup.
It is a game of two desperate teams and that can make for some entertaining rugby, although both might be a touch conservative as they try to get that first win.
They have met 30 times, with Waikato securing 18 wins and North Harbour 10. The biggest win went to Waikato - by 50 points in a 62–12 win in 1990.
Prediction: Expect the improving Mooloo NMen to finally end their duck. Waikato to win by more than 109 points.
Teams:
North Harbour: 15 Hayden Abercrombie, 14 Viliame Waqaseduadua, 13 Nafi Tuitavake, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Josh York, 10 Jimmy Gopperth (captain), 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Viliame Maafu, 7 Robbie Colhoun, 6 Tom
Chamberlain, 5 Martin Purdy, 4 Chris Smith, 3 Michael Reid, 2 James Hinchco, 1 James Afoa.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Sam Biddles, 18 Richard Mayhew, 19 Malakai Ravulo, 20 Matt France, 21 Jon Elrick, 22 Jerome Smith.
Waikato: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Tim Mikkelson, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Malcolm Barnes, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Liam Messam (captain), 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Kevin O'Neill , 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Toby Smith, 2 Vern Kamo, 1 Hikairo Forbes.
Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Josh Hohneck, 18 Kent Fife, 19 Matt Blain, 20 Josh Sutherland, 21 Roimata Hansell-Pune, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.
Referee: Matt Stanish
TMO: Ben Skeen
