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Wellington's Julian Savea - Source: Photosport
Manawatu v Wellington, 2:35pm in Palmerston North
Last clash: Wellington beat Manawatu 43 - 15 in
Mt Maunganui (Round 10, 2009)
TAB: Wellington $1.10, Manawatu $6.00
The ITM cup this season has already seen some tightly fought battles between neighbours. Waikato edged Bay of Plenty in round one, Harbour escaped with a win against Northland and Tasman upset big brother Canterbury two weeks ago.
However, this week's neighbourly clash is unlikely to be
anywhere near as close.
Manawatu have looked out of their depth so far this season. Apart
from taking Canterbury to the wire in round two they haven't looked
like winning a game. Against the Turbos this week is the fact
they're starting their third choice first-five eighth. With All
Black first-five Aaron Cruden unavailable and Tomasi Cama out with
a fractured eye socket the responsibility falls to Isaac
Thompson.
Also out for Manawatu is prop Ma'afu Fia and flanker Mitchell
Crosswell.
Providing some hope for the home side is the fact that Wellington
haven't exactly set the competition alight so far this season. They
were lucky to get away with the win against Northland last week and
also lost to Counties in round two. Neemia Tialata, Dane Coles,
Charlie Ngatai are being rested and Hosea Gear is out with a
hamstring complaint which should also work in the Turbos
favour.
Despite this, and Manawatu's defence being much improved against Hawke's Bay last week, the Lions should be too strong in this one. The pace of their backline should be enough to expose the Turbos' defensive line and Wellington won't be satisfied with anything less than a bonus point victory.
Key: Julian Savea. The Wellington young gun has
continued the strong form he showed in the Junior World Champs
earlier this year and should relish the chance to stretch his legs
against in what should be an open game. Expect to see him on the
score sheet.
Verdict: Wellington
Manawatu: Grant Polson (captain), Rob Foreman,
Karl Haitana, Michael Fitzgerald, Fraser Stone, Doug Tietjens,
Callum Gibbins, Hamish Gosling, Aaron Smith, Isaac Thompson, Lote
Raikabula, Frank Bryant, Hadleigh Parkes, Shannon Paku, Craig
Clare.
Reserves: Sean O'Connor, Shane Kingsland, Reece Robinson, James
Oliver, Karl Bryson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Casey Stone.
Wellington: Apoua Stewart, Julian Savea, Tajhon
Mailata, Shaun Treeby, Alapati Leiua, Fa'atonu Fili, Alby
Mathewson; Rodney So'oialo, Scott Fugistaller, Victor Vito, Mark
Reddish, Jeremy Thrush, John Schwalger, Ged Robinson, Jacob
Ellison
Reserves: Motu Matu'u, David Te Moana, Faifili Levave, Dean
Brunsdon, Ruki Tipuna, Lima Sopoaga, Buxton Popoalii
Northland v Southland, 5:35pm in Whangerei
Last Clash: Southland drew with Northland 15-15
in Invercargill
TAB: Northland $2.15, Southland $1.65
The boys from the Deep South travel to the far north in what shapes as the round's most intriguing contest.
Southland are on top-of-the table and boast the competition's best defensive record, however, they run into a Northland side that has set the ITM Cup alight with an attacking brand of rugby which should have seen them collect more than their just two wins this season.
Indeed if they miss out on the top-seven Premier Division they will look back on their last-gasp losses to North Harbour and Wellington with a tinge of regret. Both matches were there to be taken but an inability to close out a result remains a problem.
That's where David Holwell needs to step in. He may have the firepower of Rene Ranger and Jarred Payne at his disposal but his 100 plus games of NPC rugby needs to find some balance to compliment their flashy offensive game.
The Stags, meanwhile, have had no such problems. On the back of the ITM Cup's staunchest pack they have grinded out four of their five results by 12 points or less.
This however is their third road game in a row and, with a Shield defence against Harbour next week beckoning, there is no better time for the Taniwha to strike.
Key: The set-piece. As flashy as
Northland have been, their lineout and scrum have been
disappointing. They need to gain parity here to stand a
chance.
Tip: Southland - just
Northland: Lachie Munro, Rene Ranger, Jared
Payne, Iwi Hauraki, David Holwell, Rhyan Caine; Cameron Eyre, Dan
Pryor, Dean Budd, Mark Burman, Pat O'Connor, Bronson Murray, Tim
Dow, Matt Wallis
Reserves: Mikaele Tuu'u, Ross Wright, Roy Griffin, Cam Goohue, Luke
Hamilton, Aden Dewes, Mateo Malupo.
Southland: Glen Horton, Tony Koonwaiyou,
Kendrick Lynn, Matt Saunders, James Paterson, Robbie Robinson,
Scott Cowan, Kane Thompson, Tim Boys, Dion Bates, Joe Tuineau, Josh
Bekhuis, Chris King, Brayden Mitchell, Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Micheal Peterson, Elliott Dixon, John
Hardie, Sonny Rangitoheriri, Seminar Manu, Mark Wells.
North Harbour v Waikato, 7:35pm in Albany
Last Clash: Waikato beat North Harbour 33-22 in
Albany
TAB: North Harbour $2.60, Waikato $1.45
Waikato visits Albany to close out Super Saturday and will be looking to continue their fine form from last weekend.
That 39-3 victory over Counties Manukau was their most impressive of the season and they are rightfully favourites to take Harbour out.
The forward pack remains the same as last week with the return of Ben May onto the bench after ongoing issues with his back. In the Waikato backline, Vice Captain Brendon Leonard returns to the number nine jersey with the rest of the starting backline remaining the same as the previous week.
Harbour meanwhile, are coming off a round five defeat against Bay of Plenty and showed enough to suggest they might yet challenge for a top-seven position.
This week, Luke McAlister moves out one spot to second-five, with Michael Harris resuming in the No 10 jersey. Nafi Tuitavake will start on the left wing, which Dowd says is a reward for his excellent form last week, while Matt Luamanu takes over from the injured Tom Chamberlain at blindside flanker.
Key: It might be a cliché but the battle
of the breakdown will win this one. Look for Steven Setephano, Jack
Lam and Liam Messam to gain the upperhand.
Tip: Waikato
North Harbour: Alipate Fatafehi, Jack Tarrant,
Luke McAlister, Nafi Tuitavake, Michael Harris, Chris Smylie,
Richard Mayhew, Malakai Ravulo, Matt Luamanu, Anthony Boric, James
King, Ben Afeaki, James Parsons, Michael Reid.
Reserves: Manu Leiataua, James Afoa, Filo Paulo, Scott Uren, Nalu
Tuigamala, Ben Botica, Brendon Watt.
Waikato: Tim Mikkelson, Save Tokula, Christian
Lealiifano, Dwayne Sweeney, Trent Renata, Brendon Leonard, Steven
Setephano, Jack Lam, Liam Messam, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Toby Lynn,
Nathan White, Aled de Malmanche, Ben May.
Reserves: Vern Kamo, Hikairo Forbes, Romana Graham, Matt Vant
Leven, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Richard Kahui, Sam Christie.
