Week 8 saw some All Blacks strutting their stuff in ITM Cup action with a few getting the opportunity to either attempt to prove their fitness or form and in so doing catch the eye of the All Black selectors before the boarding passes are handed out on Friday to South Africa. Cory Jane, Hosea Gear (Wellington), Richard Kahui (Waikato) and Jarred Hoeata (Taranaki) all featured for their respective ITM Cup sides. With all of their teams notching impressive wins – It may be safe to assume that all four may be all on their way to the Republic this weekend.
Week 8 Review
A late rally from Bay of Plenty in New Plymouth stole a bonus point at the death and nearly the match. Bay of Plenty’s two points from their loss to Taranaki keep the Steamers firmly at the top of the Premiership table however mid-week wins to Waikato and Wellington now mean that 7 points cover the 7 teams in what is hotting up as a dog-fight for the title in 2012.
Week 8 Results & Analysis
Game 40 Taranaki (39) v (33) Bay of Plenty Prediction: Taranaki by 5-10 points
Game 41 Canterbury (13) v (27) Waikato Prediction: Canterbury by 10-15 points
Game 42 Wellington (43) v (19) Northland Prediction: Wellington by 10-15 points
Week 7 Win Percentage 2/3 66% Season Win Percentage 22/42 52%
Sharksworld Superbru Pool (Pool Size 43)
Leaderboard
1st BIG BITE 37.08
2nd Sam 36.00
3rd renuka 34.42
5th HH 33.58
ITM Premiership Points Table – Week 8 (Games played in brackets)
1. Bay of Plenty (6) – 22
2. Taranaki (6) – 19
3. Waikato (6) – 19
4. Canterbury (6) – 17
5. Auckland (6) – 16
6. Wellington (6) – 15
7. Southland (6) – 13
ITM Championship Points Table – Week 8 (Games played in brackets)
1. Manawatu (6) – 20
2. Hawke’s Bay (6) – 19
3. Otago (6) – 15
4. Northland (6) – 13
5. Counties Manukau (6) – 11
6. North Harbour (6) – 6
7. Tasman (6) – 6
Match Previews – Week 9
Game 43 Auckland v Counties Manukau Prediction: Auckland by 15-20 points
Auckland’s south of the Bombay neighbours are always up against it when they meet big brother at Eden Park and on current form this year looks to be no different. Auckland will have players returning from injury and should be far to strong all over the park for their visitors.
TEAMS:
Auckland: 1. Tevita Mailau, 2. Tom McCartney (capt) or Ash Dixon, 3. Charlie Faumuina or McCartney, 4. Steve Luatua, 5. Josh Townsend, 6. Nathan Hughes, 7. Sean Polwart, 8. Chris Lowrey, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 11. George Moala, 12. Teddy Stanaway, 13. Hadleigh Parkes, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 15. Brent Ward.
Reserves: 16. Dixon or Nathan Vella, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Ben Masoe, 19. Sam Henwood, 20. Toby Morland, 21. Piers Francis, 22. Winston Stanley, 23. Angus Ta’avao.
Counties-Manukau: 1. Simon Lemalu, 2. Grant Henson, 3. Matt Talaese, 4. Chris McLaren, 5. Jamie Chipman (capt) or Ronald Raaymakers, 6. Raaymakers or Taiasina Tuifua, 7. DJ Forbes, 8. Fritz Lee, 9. David Bason, 10. Baden Kerr, 11. Sherwin Stowers, 12. Tasesa Lavea, 13. Reynold Lee-Lo, 14. Ahsee Tuala, 15. Tim Nanai-Williams.
Reserves: 16. Mark Price, 17. Jeremiah Fatialofa, 18. Adam Cathcart, 19. Mark Selwyn, 20. August Pulu, 21. James Semple, 22. Tyrone Lefau, 23. Peter Hale.
REFEREE: James McPhail
Game 44 Taranaki v Tasman Prediction: Taranaki by 10-15 points
Tasman will be well rested and are warming to their task late in the season. They should push their hosts all the way here at Yarrow Stadium. However even though the ‘Naki’ had a bruising win mid-week against the table topping BOP side they still should account for the South Islanders in the final wash-up.
TEAMS:
Taranaki: 1. Carl Carmichael, 2. Laurence Corlett, 3. Michael Bent, 4. Jason Eaton (capt), 5. James Broadhurst, 6. Ben Souness, 7. Chris Walker, 8. Samuela Vunisa, 9. Brett Goodin, 10. Jack Cameron, 11. Jackson Ormond, 12. Jayden Hayward, 13. George Pisi, 14. Andre Taylor, 15. Kurt Baker.
Reserves: 16. Mahonri Schwalger, 17. Willie Ioane, 18. Craig Clarke, 19. Scott Waldrom, 20. Tyson Keats or Kylem O’Donnell, 21. Isaia Tuifua, 22. Waisake Naholo, 23. Timo Tutavaha.
Tasman: 1. Fai Mika, 2. Quentin MacDonald, 3. Sam Prattley, 4. Filipo Levi, 5. Joe Wheeler, 6. Tevita Kolomatangi, 7. Shane Christie, 8. Mark Bright, 9. Shawn Begg, 10. James Marshall, 11. Mitchell Scott, 12. Andrew Goodman (capt), 13. Kieron Fonotia, 14. Robbie Malneek, 15. Tom Marshall.
Reserves: 16. Francis Smith, 17. Craig Moore, 18. Pablo Heuete, 19. Vernon Fredricks, 20. Steve Alfeld, 21. Jack Umaga, 22. Lucky Mulipola, 23. Hamish Cochrane.
REFEREE: Kane McBride
Game 45 Southland v North Harbour (RS) Prediction: Southland by 10-15 points
With the Ranfurly Shield on the line this presents probably the greatest chance of the year for the Liam Barry and Jeff Wilson led North Harbour side to salvage something from was is looming as being another under performing season of results. Wilson, a Southlander born and bred will be able to instil plenty of understanding into what to expect at Rugby Park for the Aucklanders, however on current form it would be a big ask for the lads from the North Shore even to get close.
TEAMS:
Southland: 1. Jamie Mackintosh (capt), 2. David Hall, 3. Nick Barrett, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 5 Ben Nally, 6. John Hardie, 7. Tim Boys, 8. Elliot Dixon or Tom Chamberlain, 9. Scott Cowan, 10. James Wilson, 11. Tim Cornforth, 12. Matt Saunders, 13. Kendrick Lynn, 14. Kade Poki, 15. Robbie Robinson.
Reserves: 16. Jason Rutledge, 17. Chris King, 18. Michael Fatialofa, 19. Chamberlain or Dixon, 20. Sonny Rangitohereri, 21. Marty McKenzie, 22. Glen Horton, 23. Michael Peterson.
North Harbour: 1. James Afoa, 2. James Parsons, 3. Ben Afeaki, 4. Irwin Finau, 5. Filo Paulo, 6. Brent Wilson, 7. Solomon King, 8. Mat Luamanu, 9. Chris Smylie (capt), 10. Ben Botica, 11. David Raikuna, 12. Brendon Watt, 13. Rudi Wulf, 14. Nafi Tuitavake, 15. Willie Walker.
Reserves: 16. Michael Mayhew, 17. Alex Woonton, 18. Michael Farmer, 19. Sam Hayes-Stevenson, 20. Brenton Helleur, 21. Pita Ahki, 22. Ken Pisi, 23. Taione Vea.
REFEREE: Chris Pollock
Game 46 Bay of Plenty v Hawke’s Bay Prediction: Bay of Plenty by 10-15 points
Bay of Plenty will need to freshen-up and quick in order to repel the challenge of a very good visting Hawke’s Bay side. Hawke’s Bay will have its eyes on the ultimate prize come the end of the season. Bay of Plenty were good mid-week away from home and will be well motivated to not drop three matches in a row this time out. Returning home could just be enough to edge it their way in the ‘Battle of the Bays’.
TEAMS:
Bay of Plenty: 1. Tristan Moran, 2. John Pareanga, 3. Josh Hohneck, 4. Luke Andrews, 5. Culum Retallick or Leon Power, 6. Tanerau Latimer, 7. Luke Braid, 8. Colin Bourke (capt), 9. Jamie Nutbrown, 10. Daniel Waenga, 11. Jason Hona, 12. Steve Kefu, 13. Phil Burleigh, 14. Lelia Masaga, 15. Toby Arnold.
Reserves: 16. Daniel Perrin, 17. Pingi Tala’apitanga or Greg Pleasants-Tate, 18. Power or Leighton Price, 19. Sam Cane, 20. Josh Hall, 21. Chris Noakes, 22. Lance MacDonald, 23. Bronson Murray.
Hawke’s Bay: 1. Hikairo Forbes, 2. Hikawera Elliot, 3. Anthony Perenise, 4. Kane Thompson, 5. Bryn Evans, 6. Trent Boswell-Wakefield, 7. Karl Lowe, 8. Mike Coman (capt), 9. Kahn Fotuali’i, 10. Daniel Kirkpatrick, 11. Richard Buckman, 12. Andrew Horrell, 13. Tu Umaga-Marshall, 14. Gillies Kaka, 15. Mark Jackman.
Reserves: 16. Logovi’i Mulipola, 17. Kas Lealamanua, 18. Brodie Retallick, 19. Adam Bradey, 20. Isaac Paewai, 21. Tua Saseve, 22. Israel Dagg, 23. Ben Tameifuna.
REFEREE: Nick Briant
Game 47 Wellington v Manawatu Prediction: Wellington by 10-15 points
Wellington were magnificent mid-week with the likes of Cory Jane and Hosea Gear reinforcing the firepower of the Lions against Northland. However both are likely to be on the plane to South Africa, add to that the surprise call up of Victor Vito and Wellington will be vulnerable at home to the in form visiting Manawatu side that will be eyeing a spot in the Premiership next season. The potential upset of the round looms in this fixture.
TEAMS:
Wellington: 1. Reg Goodes, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Neemia Tialata, 4. Jeremy Thrush (capt), 5. Mark Reddish, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Scott Fuglistaller, 8. Faifili Levave, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Charlie Ngatai, 13. Michael Lealava’a, 14. Alipate Leiua, 15. Jason Woodward.
Reserves: 16. Motu Matu’u, 17. Jacob Ellison, 18. Joe Latta, 19. Dean Brunsdon, 20. Frae Wilson, 21. Michael Hobbs or Hayden Cripps, 22. Steve Honey, 23. Whetu Henry.
Manawatu: 1. Grant Polson, 2. Rob Foreman, 3. Ma’afu Fia, 4. Reece Robinson, 5. Michael Fitzgerald, 6. Nick Crosswell (capt), 7. Callum Gibbins, 8. Hamish Gosling, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Junior Tomasi Cama, 12. Johnny Leota, 13. Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 14. Casey Stone, 15. Craig Clare.
Reserves: 16. Bryn Templeman, 17. Jared Brock, 18. Fraser Stone, 19. James Oliver, 20. Isaac Thompson, 21. Lewis Marshall or Frank Bryant, 22. Nehe Milne-Skudder or Karl Bryson, 23. David Te Moana.
REFEREE: Shaun Elliott
Game 48 Canterbury v Northland Prediction: Canterbury by 15-20 points
Both side were beaten mid-week and Canterbury have fallen to fourth on the table. A win here will keep the sides below them at bay as they all eye wins in Week 9.
TEAMS:
Canterbury: 1. Andrew Olorenshaw, 2. Ben Funnell, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Ash Parker, 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. Johnny McNicholl.
Reserves: 16. Paul Ngauamo, 17. Joe Moody, 18. Joel Everson, 19. Brendon O’Connor, 20. Mark Swanepoel, 21. Tom Taylor, 22. Rhys Llewellyn, 23. Paea Fa’anunu.
Northland: 1. Justin Davies, 2. Ross Wright, 3. Scott Vessey, 4. Bryce Williams, 5. Mark Burman, 6. Cameron Eyre, 7. Danny Mason, 8. Cameron Goodhue, 9. Rhyan Caine, 10. Ash Moeke, 11. Simon Munro, 12. Aaron Bancroft, 13. Jared Payne (capt), 14. Lachie Munro, 15. Jack McPhee.
Reserves: 16. Tevita Vaipulu, 17. Aterea Davis, 18. Matt Harrison, 19. Dan Faleafa, 20. Wayne Ngaluafe, 21. Derek Carpenter, 22. Bryce Heem, 23. Jamie Corsi.
REFEREE: Glen Jackson
Game 49 Waikato v Otago Prediction: Waikato by 15-20 points
Waikato are currently riding a crest of a wave and had a marvellous win away in Christchurch mid-week. Otago will be fresh going into this encounter, however may struggle with the all round firepower of the Waikato side – this shapes as a tough ask for the southerners in Hamilton on a Sunday afternoon.
TEAMS:
Waikato: 1. Latu Talakai, 2. Marcel Cummings-Toone, 3. Ben May, 4. Toby Lynn, 5. Romana Graham, 6. Matt Vant Leven, 7. Marty Holah (capt), 8. Alex Bradley, 9. Brendon Leonard, 10. Stephen Donald, 11. Tim Mikkelson, 12. Jackson Willison, 13. Save Tokula, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Trent Renata.
Reserves: 16. Vance Elliott, 17. Nathan White, 18. Chris Middleton, 19. Zack Hohneck, 20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 21. Sam Christie, 22. Declan O’Donnell, 23. Ted Tauroa.
Otago: 1. James McGougan, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Kees Meeuws, 4. Daniel Ramsay, 5. Rob Verbakel, 6. TJ Ioane, 7. Regan Tamihere, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. Sean Romans, 10. Tony Brown (capt), 11. Buxton Popoali’i, 12. Glenn Dickson, 13. Jayden Spence, 14. Matt Faddes, 15. Ben R Smith.
Reserves: 16. Jason MacDonald, 17. Pieter van der Merwe, 18. Tom Donnelly or Tom Franklin, 19. Adam Hill, 20. Johnny Legg, 21. Hayden Parker, 22. Ben Atiga, 23. Scott Manson.
REFEREE: Mike Fraser
Went with the home teams this round
Yes …. clean sweep looms
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 2) : But we know that wont happen
@JarsonX (Comment 1) :
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 2) :
As it turns out, all my selections are for the home team as well, not on purpose, it just turned out that way. Slightly different margins though. One thing I can however be sure of, based on the season so far, is that at least three of these games will be won by the visiting side
@Greg (Comment 4) : Imo it will be half the teams. Im standing on exactly 50% accuracy
Auckland 6 – 3 Counties
22 minutes
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 6) : So far so good.
Auckland 9 – 3 Counties
25 minutes
Auckland 12 – 3 Counties
28 minutes
Auckland 12 – 6 Counties
31 minutes
First try of the match
Auckland 12 – 13 Counties
34 minutes
Auckland 12 – 16 Counties
38 minutes
@JarsonX (Comment 5) : Yeah, but there are 7 games, think maybe one of them will be a draw?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 12) : Considering my pick, that looks about right
Auckland 15 – 16 Counties
HALF TIME
Auckland 22 – 16 Counties
50 minutes
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 16) : Back on track
Auckland 22 – 19 Counties
Auckland 25 – 19 Counties
5 minutes to play
Auckland 25 – 22 Counties
3 minutes to play
Auckland 25 – 22 Counties
FULL TIME
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 21) : no winning margin but at least a win point
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 21) : It just struck me, one is supposed to pick the winning margin, not predict how many points the winning team will score.
Got the win and a margin point
@JarsonX (Comment 24) : Amateur, how do expect to compete with me for the wooden spoon if you keep doing that?
@Greg (Comment 25) : You can have the wood, I want something more shiny
Taranaki 0 – 10 Tasman
14 minutes
Taranaki 3 – 10 Tasman
20 minutes
Tasman up 13 – 10, great start, unless, like me, you picked Taranaki to win
Taranaki 10 – 13 Tasman
25 minutes
Taranaki 10 – 16 Tasman
35 minutes
@Greg (Comment 29) :
I have Taranaki by quite a large margin!
Seems I will never move from the bottom 10%
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 32) : Yep, me too, by 17
What doesn’t help regarding the SB log, is when I pick a winner, everybody in the pool picked the same winner, and I didn’t get the margin (yesterday’s game). Can’t move up the leader board like that
@Greg (Comment 33) :
Im really struggling..
And you can’t go for the upset every game, as you will even further behind!
Taranaki 13 – 16 Tasman
HALF TIME
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 34) : How could I get any further behind than I already am?
At least I am ahead of you
@Greg (Comment 36) :
Ask me, I know how to root myself to the bottom of the log!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 37) : At least I am doing a little better in the Currie Cup and winter tests comp!
Are you watching this game?
Taranaki 16 – 16 Tasman
60 minutes
@Greg (Comment 38) :
I had a good start to the Winter tests, but fell off the wagon on this last round.
I am not watching the game, I am following it online..
Taranaki 19 – 16 Tasman
64 minutes
Taranaki 24 – 16 Tasman
65 minutes
Yeeeesssss taranaki 26 – 16 about 10 mins to go!!!!
@Greg (Comment 43) :
I need them to win by 19 points.. please..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 40) : Online where? I am following it on abc.net.au
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 44) : An unaswered converted try will see me finish spot on!
Got Taranaki by 2
Taranaki 26 – 23 Tasman
FULL TIME
@JarsonX (Comment 47) :
Well done! Bonus point for you!!
2 from 2 and 2 margin points. Great start
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 49) : @JarsonX (Comment 50) : Even better
@Greg (Comment 46) : An unaswered try to Taranaki is what I meant, not to Tasman, Idiots
@Greg (Comment 52) :
I had Taras by 7 so a margin point for me
Fulltime
Southland 25
North Harbour 23
3 from 3, 3 margin points, 2 bonus points (1 shared)
Fulltime
Bay of Plenty 13
Hawkes Bay 32
3 from 4 then
@JarsonX (Comment 58) : 3 from 4 for me too, and Manawatu is gonna make it 3 from 5 for me too the looks of it
They leading 21 – 14, 49min
Manawatu Turbos?
Turbos try.
20 – 28 Manawatu leading
Cruden turbos over a drop.
Thrush try.
Turbos win.
@McLovin (Comment 64) : too late Manawatu Win
FULL TIME
Wellington 25 – 31 Manawatu
Turbos too much power for normally aspirated Wellington.