The demolishing of a neighbour, a return to form and another come from behind win were the features of the three Round 4 matches. Round 5 will see Southland defend the Ranfurly Shield for the first time against Counties Manukau. It will be also interesting to see if perennial heavyweights (and last year’s finalists) Canterbury and Waikato are able to reverse their form slumps.
Week 4 Review
Bay of Plenty took a mid-week leap on their Premiership rivals by pulverising their Super comrades Waikato and in so doing stretched their lead at the top of the ITM Cup’s top division. Taranaki also for the second time in two weeks came from behind to beat hosts Northland. While Wellington resurged to form with a commanding win at home against ITM Cup champions Canterbury.
Week 4 Results & Analysis
Game 19 Bay of Plenty (36) v (8) Waikato Prediction: Waikato by 5-10 points
Game 20 Wellington (37) v (28) Canterbury Prediction: Canterbury by 10-15 points
Game 21 Northland (16) v (23) Taranaki Prediction: Taranaki by 5-10 points
Week 4 Win Percentage 1/3 33% Season Win Percentage 8/21 38%
Sharksworld Superbru Pool (Pool Size 43)
Leaderboard
1st Sam 23.50
2nd BIG BITE 22.58
3rd prishern 21.92
32nd HH 9.08
ITM Premiership Points Table – Week 1 (Games played in brackets)
1. Bay of Plenty (3) – 14
2. Wellington (3) – 10
3. Taranaki (3) – 9
4. Canterbury (3) – 7
5. Auckland (3) – 6
6. Waikato (3) – 5
7. Southland (3) – 4
ITM Championship Points Table – Week 1 (Games played in brackets)
1. Manawatu (3) – 11
2. Counties Manukau (3) – 10
3. Otago (3) – 9
4. Hawke’s Bay (3) – 8
5. North Harbour (3) – 6
6. Northland (3) – 5
7. Tasman (3) – 0
Match Previews – Week 5
Game 22 North Harbour v Hawke’s Bay Prediction: Hawke’s Bay by 10-15 points
This pits two attractive playing styles against each other, many All Black observers will be keen to spot and analyse the return of All Black loosehead Tony Woodcock to competitive action for Harbour. Hawke’s Bay will have eyes on the Premiership next season and will not want to let this one get away.
TEAMS:
North Harbour: 1. Mike Reid, 2. Mike Mayhew, 3. Ben Afeaki, 4. James King, 5. Filo Paulo, 6. Brent Wilson, 7. Sam Hayes-Stevenson, 8. Matt Luamanu, 9. Chris Smylie (capt), 10. Willie Walker, 11. David Raikuna, 12. Luke McAlister, 13. Nafi Tuitavake, 14. Ken Pisi, 15. Codey Rei.
Reserves: 16. James Parsons, 17. James Afoa, 18. Chris Smith, 19. Solomon King, 20. Brenton Helleur, 21. Ben Botica, 22. Brendon Watt, 23. Taione Vea.
Hawke’s Bay: 1. Sona Taumalolo, 2. Hikawera Elliot (capt), 3. Ben Tameifuna, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Bryn Evans, 6. Trent Boswell-Wakefield, 7. Adam Bradey, 8. Karl Lowe, 9. Kahn Fotuali’i, 10. Daniel Kirkpatrick, 11. Gillies Kaka, 12. Andrew Horrell, 13. Tua Saseve, 14. Tu Umaga-Marshall, 15. Richard Buckman.
Reserves: 16. Hikairo Forbes, 17. Anthony Perenise, 18. Ashton Johnson, 19. Hugh Reed, 20. Chris Eaton, 21. Ryan McLeod, 22. Tino Nemani, 23. Logovi’i Mulipola.
REFEREE: Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri
Game 23 Southland v Counties Manukau (RS) Prediction: Southland by 10-15 points
This is the big clash of the weekend with the Ranfurly Shield on the line in Invercargill. Counties Manukau have it all stacked against them however they are travelling well and could prove a real head ache for the holders in their first defence.
TEAMS:
Southland: 1. Jamie Mackintosh (capt), 2. Jason Rutledge, 3. Chris King, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 5 Joe Tuineau, 6. John Hardie, 7. Tim Boys, 8. Elliot Dixon, 9. Scott Cowan, 10. James Wilson, 11. Tim Cornforth, 12. Matt Saunders, 13. Kendrick Lynn, 14. Glen Horton, 15. Robbie Robinson.
Reserves: 16. David Hall, 17. Nick Barrett, 18. Ben Nally, 19. Kaleni Taituli, 20. Sonny Rangitohereri, 21. Scott Eade, 22. James Lew or Tony Koonwaiyou, 23. Michael Peterson.
Counties-Manukau: 1. Simon Lemalu, 2. Mark Price, 3. Jeremiah Fatialofa, 4. Ronald Raaymakers, 5. Jamie Chipman (capt), 6. Taiasina Tuifua, 7. DJ Forbes, 8. Fritz Lee, 9. Samisoni Fisilau, 10. Tasesa Lavea, 11. Bundee Aki, 12. Reynold Lee-Lo, 13. Siale Piutau, 14. Ahsee Tuala, 15. Sherwin Stowers.
Reserves: 16. Grant Henson, 17. Matt Talaese, 18. Adam Cathcart, 19. Mark Selwyn, 20. David Bason, 21. James Semple, 22. Tyrone Lefau, 23. Ihipa Thompson.
REFEREE: Glen Jackson
Game 24 Waikato v Tasman Prediction: Waikato by 20-25 points
Waikato got a real wakeup call mid-week against a good Bay of Plenty side. Expect them to right the wrongs quickly and get back on the horse here.
TEAMS:
Waikato: 1. Toby Smith, 2. Aled de Malmanche, 3. Ben May, 4. Chris Middleton, 5. Romana Graham, 6. Matt Vant Leven, 7. Marty Holah, 8. Alex Bradley, 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10. Trent Renata, 11. Declan O’Donnell, 12. Rena Schuster, 13. Save Tokula, 14. Frank Halai, 15. Tim Mikkelson.
Reserves: 16. Marcel Cummings-Toone, 17. Nathan White, 18. Jack Lam, 19. Rory Grice, 20. Brendon Leonard, 21. Sam Christie, 22. Henry Speight, 23. Ted Tauroa.
Tasman: 1. Sam Prattley, 2. Quentin MacDonald, 3. James Hadfield, 4. Filipo Levi, 5. Pablo Heuete, 6. Liam Squire, 7. Shane Christie, 8. Mark Bright, 9. Steve Alfeld, 10. James Marshall, 11. Mitchell Scott, 12. Andrew Goodman (capt), 13. Jack Umaga, 14. Robbie Malneek, 15. Tom Marshall.
Reserves: 16. Francis Smith, 17. Craig Moore, 18. Riki Hoeata, 19. Jonathon Poff, 20. Shawn Begg, 21. Kieron Fonotia, 22. Lucky Mulipola, 23. Fai Mika.
REFEREE: Richard Kelly
Game 25 Canterbury v Manawatu Prediction: Canterbury by 25-30 points
Once again minnow Manawatu should have no chance especially away from home. However Manawatu are enjoying a resurgence in form under the revamped ITM Competition and will have their home fans excited about a potential upset against a Canterbury side that were involved in a tough physical outing only a matter of days ago.
TEAMS:
Canterbury: 1. Paea Fa’anunu, 2. Steve Fualau, 3. Andrew Olorenshaw, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Joel Everson, 6. George Whitelock (capt), 7. Matt Todd, 8. Nasi Manu, 9. Willi Heinz, 10. Tyler Bleyendaal, 11. Patrick Osborne, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Telusa Veainu, 15. Sean Maitland.
Reserves: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Nepo Laulala, 18. Ash Parker, 19. Brendon O’Connor, 20. Mark Swanepoel, 21. Takerei Norton, 22. Robbie Flynn, 23. Sam Cottam.
Manawatu: 1. Grant Polson, 2. Rob Foreman, 3. David Te Moana, 4. Reece Robinson, 5. Michael Fitzgerald, 6. Nick Crosswell (capt), 7. Doug Tietjens, 8. James Oliver, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Junior Tomasi Cama, 12. Johnny Leota, 13. Lewis Marshall, 14. Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 15. Nehe Milne-Skudder.
Reserves: 16. Bryn Templeman, 17. Jared Brock, 18. Fraser Stone, 19. Hamish Gosling, 20. Karl Bryson, 21. Lewis Marshall, 22. Casey Stone, 23. Ma’afu Fia.
REFEREE: Keith Brown
Game 26 Northland v Otago Prediction: Northland by 5-10 points
A mixed bag for both of these Championship sides this season with Otago playing their third away game in a row. This again will be nip ‘n tuck with potentially the Taniwha just prevailing at home.
TEAMS:
Northland: 1. Justin Davies, 2. Ross Wright, 3. Scott Vessey, 4. Bryce Williams, 5. Marty Veale, 6. Joel McKenty (capt), 7. Dan Pryor, 8. Cam Goodhue, 9. Wayne Ngaluafe, 10. Ash Moeke, 11. Bryce Heem, 12. Derek Carpenter, 13. Rene Ranger, 14. Simon Munro, 15. Lachie Munro.
Reserves: 16. Tevita Vaipulu, 17. Aterea Davis, 18. Dan Faleafa, 19. Cameron Eyre, 20. Rhyan Caine, 21. Jack McPhee, 22. Warren Dunn, 23. Jamie Corsi.
Otago: 1. Halani Aulika, 2. Jason MacDonald, 3. Kees Meeuws, 4. Daniel Ramsay, 5. Tom Donnelly, 6. Peter Grant, 7. Eben Joubert (capt), 8. Gareth Evans, 9. Sean Romans, 10. Tony Brown, 11. Buxton Popoali’i, 12. Jayden Spence, 13. Ben Atiga, 14. Joe Hill, 15. Glenn Dickson.
Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. James McGougan, 18. Rob Verbakel, 19. TJ Ioane, 20. Johnny Legg, 21. Hayden Parker, 22. Sam Giddens, 23. Scott Manson.
REFEREE: Ben Skeen
Game 27 Taranaki v Auckland Prediction: Taranaki by 5-10 points
A classic case of when town meets country as the flash city slickers get down and dirty in farming country. These are two of the stronger sides in New Zealand rugby and again they will both be hoping to go one better this season. The home side will be pleased to be home and very competitive against this Auckland outfit. With lots of star players all over the field it will make for an exciting spectacle.
TEAMS:
Taranaki: 1. Michael Bent, 2. Laurence Corlett, 3. Shane Cleaver, 4. James Broadhurst, 5. Craig Clarke (capt), 6. Chris Walker, 7. Scott Waldrom, 8. Ben Souness, 9. Tyson Keats, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Jackson Ormond, 12. Jayden Hayward, 13. George Pisi, 14. Andre Taylor, 15. Kurt Baker.
Reserves: 16. Mahonri Schwalger, 17. Carl Carmichael, 18. Jason Eaton, 19. Blade Thomson, 20. Brett Goodin, 21. Jack Cameron, 22. Isaia Tuifua, 23. Willie Ioane.
Auckland: 1. Tevita Mailau, 2. Tom McCartney (capt), 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Steve Luatua, 5. Chris Lowrey, 6. Nathan Hughes, 7. Sean Polwart, 8. Peter Saili, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 11. Charles Piutau, 12. Francis Saili, 13. Hadleigh Parkes, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 15. Brent Ward.
Reserves: 16. Ash Dixon, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Richard Haddon, 19. Onosai’i Auva’a, 20. Toby Morland, 21. Piers Francis, 22. Isaia Toeava, 23. Angus Ta’avao
REFEREE: Chris Pollock
Game 28 Bay of Plenty v Wellington Prediction: Bay of Plenty by 10-15 points
Quick turn a rounds is the name of this ITM competition and both these sides will be feeling the effects after tough mid-week clashes against strong opposition. The Competition leaders have everything to hold onto as we approach the mid-way point of the competition and I’m sure they will not want to lose grasp of the situation at this stage. Wellington on the other hand was impressive mid-week in beating Canterbury. This is a tasty encounter to round the weekend’s rugby action off.
TEAMS:
Bay of Plenty: 1. Tristan Moran, 2. John Pareanga, 3. Josh Hohneck, 4. Luke Andrews, 5. Culum Retallick, 6. Tanerau Latimer, 7. Luke Braid, 8. Colin Bourke (capt), 9. Taniela Moa, 10. Chris Noakes, 11. Lance MacDonald, 12. Steve Kefu, 13. Phil Burleigh, 14. Lelia Masaga, 15. Toby Arnold.
Reserves: 16. Daniel Perrin, 17. Pingi Tala’apitanga, 18. Leighton Price, 19. Sam Cane, 20. Jamie Nutbrown, 21. Daniel Waenga, 22. Ben W Smith, 23. Bronson Murray.
Wellington: 1. Jacob Ellison, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Whetu Henry, 4. Jeremy Thrush (capt), 5. Api Naikatini, 6. Faifili Levave, 7. Scott Fuglistaller, 8. Victor Vito, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Michael Hobbs, 13. Alipate Leiua, 14. Jason Woodward or Lote Raikabula, 15. Apoua Stewart or Woodward.
Reserves: 16. Motu Matu’u, 17. Arden David-Perrot, 18. Mark Reddish, 19. Brad Shields, 20. Serge Lilo, 21. Frae Wilson, 22. Michael Lealava’a, 23. Reg Goodes.
REFEREE: Vinny Munro
Here we go again
I have:
Hawke’s Bay by 15
Southland by 21
Waikato by 18
Canterbury by 35
Otago by 15
Auckland by 16
BOP by 7
Hawke’s Bay win it 39 – 10
No points for me which is customary by now
@JarsonX (Comment 3) : HH and I shared the bonus point!!!!
@Greg (Comment 4) : No margin though, sadly
So the wooden spoon will be mine
@JarsonX (Comment 6) : Not yet, you are still 41, I am 42, I won’t let go of that wooden spoon in a hurry
@Greg (Comment 7) : @JarsonX (Comment 6) : Where am I now? Care to check? Please…
@Ben (Comment 8) : Benna08? If so 14th.
@Ben (Comment 8) : I give up, in the office
What is your username?
@Greg (Comment 10) :
@JarsonX (Comment 9) : @Greg (Comment 10) : Thanks Jarson and no Greg I’m not in the office. Haha
14th. Beginners luck. Won’t last too long I’ll bet you.
@Ben (Comment 13) : If you suck at other games, you’ll excel at this one. Mark my words
@JarsonX (Comment 14) : I pretty much suck in all of the games!
Southland beat Counties 13-6!
Can anyone confirm?
@Greg (Comment 16) : I think that was the half time score, looks like final score was 22-14?
@Greg (Comment 17) :
Yip Greg have just watched it 22-14 Southland won
And I got it spot on!
And I’m soul receiver of the bonus point! 
Greg, the wooden spoon is your’s! Cheers! 
@JarsonX (Comment 19) : Hey, I have 2/2 so far, I am still on track for a gsp, are you
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 18) : dude, who is the BOP flyhalf who has a STORMING last week> i only saw highlight of him on reunion and i couldn’t believe my eyes?
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 18) : Thanks, has the Wiakato/Tasman game kicked off yet?
@Greg (Comment 20) :
2/2 as well can barely beleive it!
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 18) : Do you perhaps know the try count?
@Greg (Comment 22) :
yes watching it now
@Greg (Comment 20) : Nope
But there is still a lot of games to be played 
@Greg (Comment 24) :
I think it was one try each
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 27) : Thanks, is there a score in the current game?
Waikato 10-6 Tasman 35 mins Waikato down to 14 men
@JarsonX (Comment 26) : True, and with my track record in the ITM, the chances of 7/7 is minimal
H/T Waikato 13-6 Tasman
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 31) : What was your pick for this one?
Got Waikato by 2.
@JarsonX (Comment 33) : I need Waikato to win the second half by 11
@Megatron (Comment 21) :
His name is Daniel Waenga he has played brilliantly in recent weeks.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 35) : the dark haired guy with a carter resemblance? hey
@Megatron (Comment 36) :
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 35) : thanks HH, i’m going to check out for him from now, he was like a hot knife through butter against waikato.
@Megatron (Comment 36) :
I’ve just watched Declan O’Donnell score his first ever ITM try geez he is a talent! NZ 7′s kid.
Waikato 18-6 Tasman 52 min
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 39) : Two more penalties to Wiakato in the last half hour will suit me just fine
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 39) : will look out for him too, will have to tape these itm cup games from now on
@Greg (Comment 32) :
I think I have Waikato by about 24
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 42) : That could be a little high, how is it looking?
@Megatron (Comment 41) :
It’s quite good with the 30 odd AB’s not in the comp. and the rest of the Super talent spread across 14 teams….
…loads of non Super talent about ready to make the step up
…..as Highlander supporters we spend the whole comp. trying to identify talent that is not already taken.
…. Daniel Waenga is a prime example
@Greg (Comment 43) :
Waikato 21-6 Tasman 70 mins
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 45) : So long as Tasman don’t score again, that will suit me just fine!
@Greg (Comment 46) :
They are not going to !
Waikato 28-6 Tasman 73 min
Go Tasman!
@JarsonX (Comment 49) :
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 48) : They were supposed to score a penalty, not a try
Your score looking good now!
@JarsonX (Comment 49) : Agreed, score a penalty or unconverted try!
F/T Waikato 35-6 Tasman
…i think we all know who has picked up the bonus point
2 in a row
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 53) : Well done, I am still 3/3 so far, so that’s not too bad!
@Greg (Comment 55) : ditto
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 56) : There was a bonus point there for Waikato, wasn’t there?
@Greg (Comment 57) :
Yes right on the hooter!
and one for me and did i meantion the margin as well 
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 58) : Indeed you did, twice now
Canterbury 3-10 Manawatu 25 mins
HT Canterbury 15-10 Manawatu
FULL TIME
Canterbury 42 – 15 Manawatu
Northland 13 – 17 Otago
55 mins
Northland 20 – 17 Otago
63 mins
FULL TIME
Northland 20 – 17 Otago
Margin point win for me.
I cant buy a win in this competition!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 67) : HH has rigged this round.
5 from 5, 3 margin points & 2,5 BPs. He is flying!!!!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 68) :
And then next week when everybody follows his predictions he will get 2 out of 7?!
Got 1 from Canterbury game and a margin for Otago game.
3 from 5, 1 bonus and 2 margin points
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 69) : Very clever strategy by him