-
Taranaki's Jayden Hayward - Source: Photosport -
Related
Auckland vs Taranaki, 2:35pm in Auckland
Last clash: Auckland beat Taranaki 10 - 0 in New Plymouth
(Round 11, 2009)
TAB: Auckland $1.65, Taranaki $2.15
Desperate times call for desperate measures and for Auckland coach Mark Anscombe, seething after last Saturday's thumping at the hands of Canterbury, that means calling in reinforcements from Northland and Canada.
There are a total of seven changes to the Auck's starting XV; not helped by the departure of Benson Stanley and John Afoa to the All Blacks. Their replacements, Ben Atiga and Tevita Mailau are more than capable.
But some less experienced players will need to front up elsewhere. Lock Liaki Moli gets his first start while promising rookie wing Bryce Heem has been called back from his loan spell with Northland. And on the bench a flanker with 22 caps for Canada, Adam Kleeberger, gets his first taste of provincial rugby.
In a fitting a touch on Father's Day Anscombe could bring his son, Gareth, off the bench for his first appearance in the Blue and White hoops.
There's no need to panic in Taranaki who were an impressive third on the table heading into this round. Colin Cooper's heavily-recruited side are hitting their straps and will be fresh following a 10 day break since beating Otago in Dunedin.
There is still the odd change to the team where new Highlander Jarrad Hoeata replaces Scot Waldrom who's nursing a broken thumb. And Kurt Baker moves back to his preferred fullback role; that's to allow former Auckland pace-merchant David Smith to return on the wing.
It's been five years since Taranaki bettered Auckland but there is a sense the Amber and Blacks could repeat their famous Ranfurly Shield victory on Eden Park from 1996.
Key: Taranaki have a well-rounded side now their backline
matches the class of their forwards so Auckland will need plenty of
composure to go with their renowned X-Factor. That responsibility
will rest with Matt Berquist who was brought to the province to
guide the Blue and Whites around the park.
Verdict: Taranaki
Auckland: Brent Ward, Atieli Pakalani, Ben Atiga, Jamie
Helleur, Bryce Heem, Matt Berquist, Toby Morland; Chris Lowrey,
Daniel Braid (captain), Peter Saili, Andrew Van der Heijden, Liaki
Moli, Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau
Res: Ash Dixon, Angus Ta'avao, Kurtis Haiu, Adam Kleeberger,
Brenton Helleur, Gareth Anscombe, Winston Stanley
Taranaki: Kurt Baker, Andre Taylor, George Pisi, Jayden
Hayward, David Smith, Willie Ripia, Tyson Keats; Ben Souness, Chris
Walker, Jarrad Hoeata, Craig Clarke (captain), James Broadhurst,
Michael Bent, Timo Tutavaha, Carl Carmichael
Res, Mahonri Schwalger, Shane Cleaver, Kane Barrett, Samuela
Vunisa, Brett Goodin, Beauden Barrett, Isaia Tuifua
Otago vs Hawke's Bay, 4:35pm in Dunedin
Last clash: Hawke's Bay beat Otago 32-10 in Napier (Round
8, 2009)
TAB: Otago $1.80, Hawke's Bay $1.95
Otago's demise this season has been excruciating to watch. While many tipped them to finish in the bottom seven no one would have expected them to be winless and bottom of the table heading into Round Six.
Hawke's Bay's struggles are just as baffling. They have only won one more game than their Southern counterparts today. Many pundits, and coach Peter Russell particularly, have been scratching their heads as to how a team with three consecutive semi final appearances could lose their way so quickly.
Not helped is the absence of dynamic flanker Karl Lowe who won't appear this afternoon; the highly regarded Trent Boswell-Wakefield comes into the loose trio with former Otago player Grant Webb shifting to the back of the scrum.
Other significant changes sees Mark Jackman don the fullback jumper with Israel Dagg away with the All Blacks. While, based on form, Chris Eaton takes Kahn Foutali'i's halfback spot.
Otago have had 10 days to think about their fifth straight loss and the bizarre final minutes that saw them bomb a simple chance to pick up a losing bonus point.
Coach Phil Mooney welcomes back tryo hooker Liam Coltman, who impressed in his debut against North Harbour a fortnight ago. Also back from injury is captain Alando Soakai.
Soakai's inclusion is desperately needed as the Blue and Golds seek cool heads and patience; where schoolboy errors are effecting a team desperate to get their first win.
Adam Thomson continues to give his all to the Otago cause and if his team mates can exert even half of his spirit then the Southern Men could turn a narrow lose into a much-needed win.
Also look for bullocking prop Halani Aulika whose direct approach to forward play reminds of a young Kees Meeuws.
Key: Neither team carry much confidence into this
encounter so self-belief will be vital today. Mistakes happen at
this level of rugby but the team that doesn't let their heads drop
after minor errors will be in best spirits to capitalise on those
rare chances to gain points.
Verdict: Otago
Otago: Ben Smith, Joe Hill, Josh Tatupu, Andrew Parata,
Ryan Shortland, Glenn Dickson, Sean Romans; Adam Thomson, Alando
Soakai (captain), Brad Cameron, Hayden Triggs, Hoani Matenga,
Halani Aulika, Liam Coltman, Kees Meeuws
Res: Wyatt McKay, Sam Hibbard, Josh Townsend, Charlie O'Connell,
Johnny Legg, Hayden Parker, Chris Small
Hawke's Bay: Mark Jackman, Gilies Kaka, Richard Buckman,
Jason Shoemark (captain), Zac Guildford, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Chris
Eaton; Grant Webb, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Michael Coman, Ross
Kennedy, Bryn Evans, Anthony Perenise, Eugene Smith, Clint
Newland
Res: Hika Elliot, Josh Keys, Leighton Price, Michael Johnson, Kahn
Fotuali'i, Ryan McLeod, Sinoti Sinoti
