After the best part of 10 years in the UK, I am returning to my home town of Dunedin, New Zealand. However upon arrival my first taste of rugby will be my beloved Otago embroiled in the fight of their life for survival in top flight rugby in New Zealand.
Let me explain. This weekend the ITM Cup kicks off New Zealand’s domestic rugby competition. This years format is a ‘one-off’ and with that comes added interest. This year there are 14 teams that play each other once before the standard finals format ends the competition. However the added interest is that from next year the competition will be split into a first and second division. Meaning this year’s competition is all about finishing in the ‘Top 7’.
So who are going to be the ‘Top 7’ and who are destined for ‘Second Division’ rugby in World Cup year.
1. Canterbury (Crusaders) Odds 3/1: They are by far and away the strongest of the fourteen sides with names that SW readers will obviously recognise from the Crusaders side in this year’s Super 14. Add to that a certain Sonny Bill Williams slotting into their backline and you have your winner. Key Player: Stephen Brett
2. Wellington (Hurricanes) Odds 4/1: The lads from the capital will make the final. Many say they have the most well rounded squad with plenty of firepower in the backs. Look out for the likes of Hosea Gear and World IRB Under 20 Player of the Year Julian Savea to score plenty of tries. Key Player: Rodney So’oialo
3. Waikato (Chiefs) Odds 8/1: Waikato, with Stephen Donald and Brendon Leonard at the helm, should make the top four. Waikato is the home base for the Chiefs franchise and always attract talent. Their interesting recruit comes in the acquisition of Brumbies play maker Christian Lealiifano. Key Player: Stephen Donald
4. Auckland (Blues) Odds 10/1: Auckland also is full of Blues Super Rugby talent and will welcome back some much needed experience in the forms of Daniel Braid, Ben Atiga, Brent Ward, Matt Berquist and Toby Morland. Key Player: Daniel Braid
5. Hawkes Bay (Hurricanes) Odds14/1: Hawkes Bay have enjoyed plenty of success in recent seasons and have players to trouble some of the more established teams. They will be captained by Highlander Jason Shoemark, and he will be supported by young All Black duo Izzy Dagg and Zac Guildford who will be both out to push their AB credentials. Their player of interest for me is the signing of Luke Rooney from Toulon, it will be interesting to see how the Melbourne Rebel fronts up. Key Player: Zac Guildford
6. Southland (Highlanders) Odds 15/1: They have a well established side that is full of Highlanders. Southland have been one of the countries big spenders in recent seasons and it has paid dividends. Players to watch include Scott Cowan, Robbie Robinson, Kenny Lynn, Jason Rutledge, and Josh Bekhuis. Key Player: Jamie Mackintosh
7. Taranaki (Hurricanes) Odds 27/1: Taranaki are who we (Otago) will be in direct competition with for a ‘Top 7’ finish. They have recruited really well and have a host of top class talent, that should secure them a Top 7 finish. Players to watch include David Smith, Tyson Keats, George Pisi, Willie Ripia, Scott Waldrom and Craig Clarke. Key Player: Scott Waldrom
8. Otago (Highlanders) Odds 35/1: My boys are well and truly up against it this year. So to think we are in a battle for 7th may well be getting ahead of ourselves. The significance of Otago not performing is that it provides ammunition to the NZRFU to take away our Super Rugby Franchise and move it north to Auckland where North Harbour has a strong population and player base. Otago v North Harbour will be an epic battle this year. Key Player: Adam Thompson
9. Bay of Plenty (Chiefs) Odds 42/1: BOP may be one of the less fancied sides this year that may prove no push over. They have eleven players that were in the Chiefs squad. They traditional start well and run out of steam (no pun intended). Key Player: Tanerau Latimer
10. North Harbour (Blues) Odds 68/1: Will again be coached by Craig Dowd and Jeff Wilson. They will have to cope with the loss of some key talent from last year and won’t make the Top 7. I wish them well…NOT ! Key Player: Luke McAlister
11. Tasman (Crusaders) Odds 100/1: Tasman will again struggle this season but will have the services of the experienced Chris jack who refuses to admit his day is over . Their assistant Coach will be Leon McDonald. Key Player: Chris Jack
12. Northland (Blues) Odds 150/1: Should really struggle this year. Their influential Crusader Jared Payne is fighting to be fit for the start of the competition. Players that should catch the eye will be their fly half Lachie Munro as well as the versatile Rene Ranger. Key Player: Jared Payne
13. Manawatu (Hurricanes) Odds 200/1: Manawatu look like they will be without Aaron Cruden for most of their campaign due to his rise to prominence. Although they have lost many players from last year, they still have some exciting NZ Sevens talent. Key Player: Nick Crosswell
14. Counties (Blues) Odds 200/1: All eyes in South Auckland will be firmly focussed on Tana Umaga as he returns in a Player/Coach capacity. In reality Counties just don’t have the forwards to be competitive. Key Player: Tim Nanai-Williams
So they are the teams and some of the players that will be making headlines for the next couple of months down in ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’. This year it is not only the title winner that has everything to play for, but also everything to lose for the team that finishes eighth. From where i’m sitting right now, it looks very much like my lads are destined for that spot on the log. So as every weekend’s fixtures are rolled out a team destined for the ‘Top 7’ just can’t afford to drop points against teams from the bottom 7.
This is our last year at Carisbrook as we welcome in a new era at our newly built stadium. Let’s just hope we are not welcoming second division rugby next year as well.
If this has sparked an interest in following the ITM Cup, our very own Jarson has a Superbru Pool running (as there is no official Sharksworld Pool, I think I can plug it) which currently only has 16 participants.
Superbru Pool: Team Captain Jarson
Pool Name: Bok Factory
Pool Code: Curedeft.
You are most welcome to join. As I will be travelling home one thing is for sure – I won’t be winning it !
Tweet
Go Harbour!
Well this should help quite a bit with making my picks.
Thanks HH.
This competition starts on the 29th of July. That’s Thursday
” I won’t be winning it! ”
Allready making excuses 😯
Are you scared of Saffas beating you 😉
@Jarson (Comment 4) : i thnk we must remember this undertaking in case he is somewhere near the top in the final rounds 😆
thanx HH
Go Southland !!!
GO HARBOUR!
Go Canterbury!!
what about putting money on Manawatu or Counties 😆
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 9) : Like which of 2 will win the wooden spoon? 😆 I’ll go with Counties 😛
@MysticShark (Comment 1) : @rhineshark (Comment 7) :
Richard Ferguson….has them as his side in the Superbru Pool…..can’t say i’m happy about it. Looking forward to smashing them this year.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) :
Easy to make your picks from the rankings….i won’t be too far wrong.
The only team that i think may have a few upsets in them …and won’t be that fancied is ……Taranaki….they look, i hate to say it a really good side.
Will be especially hard to beat at home !
PS As opposed to North Harbour who will be really easy to beat anywhere !
@Jarson (Comment 4) :
Due to being caught out with some travel plans …i can see myself in a spot of troublke with making my Superbru Picks
I need to not slip any further from my 69th Spot in the CC Comp.
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 6) :
Now thats a side to follow ….full of real men !
Will win a few as well !
Best drinking side in the competition ! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 13) : @Hertford Highlander (Comment 12) : Shoesh!
Don’t give away all the clues. Why dont u just pick in advance, u cant get it wrong that much 🙂
@Jarson (Comment 15) :
I am going to see if your Pool has increased in size….maybe to 17 !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 16) :
Brilliant it’s up to 17….only problem is he supports Harbour as well ! 😥
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 16) : It’s 17 last time I checked 😳 Come on guys, join up 😉
@Jarson (Comment 15) :
Have you made your ITM picks yet ? ❓
I`m guessing none of these matches would be televised on supersport . . .
@Original Pierre (Comment 20) :
What’s wrong with Supersport ❓ 😕
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 19) : Yes, I’m waiting for your’s to compare 😀
Even we get our token game on a Saturday morning here in the UK !
@Jarson (Comment 22) :
Well the Grand Slam Point is easy this week ! 😎
If you miss that then…. 😉
@Jarson (Comment 22) :
As a point of interest do you know that ‘Green Machine’ in the Pool have you seen his Honours Board….. Scary ! 😥
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 21) : Been asking myself that question, but they know they have the monopoly here in SA so they can pretty much do what they want.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 25) : Havent checked but I will, I’m not scared, I love a challenge 😉
@Jarson (Comment 27) : @Hertford Highlander (Comment 25) : Some of his pools are smaller than ours though
@Jarson (Comment 28) :
What do you think will be a respectable number ! 😎
Atleast 25 to 30 but the bigger the better 🙂
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 11) : Hey dude, what do you have against Harbour? At least it’s on the right side of the Bombays.
@MysticShark (Comment 31) :
True…. i actually worked there for 4 Years…nice place !
…they are after our Super Rugby Franchise.
The logic being they almost have half the population of the country in Auckland so they should have TWO Super Franchises.
……and they want ours because we have been rubbish in recent years.
They propose the entire South Island be one franchise…the idea has many supporters.
….but i’m NOT one !
@MysticShark (Comment 31) :
Are you up for the Pool ?
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 32) : I don’t follow the politics of NZ rugby so I wasn’t aware. Although, personally I like the idea, in an historical context it would just seem wrong to give the Highlanders franchise to a 2nd Auckland team.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 14) : i knew there was something of substance that drawn me to them
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 33) : Yup, registered under the name Patman.
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 35) : 😉
@MysticShark (Comment 36) :
You will always be ‘MysticShark’ to me !
@MysticShark (Comment 36) : Why? 🙂
@Jarson (Comment 39) : Nevamind 😳 I have momentarilly mistaken you with Mbaybshark 🙂
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 38) : 🙂
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 38) : When does the NRL end? It’s becoming tedius 😳
@Jarson (Comment 42) :
Good question….I think we are in Round 21 and i think there are 26 rounds until the Finals circus starts….. long comp !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 43) : I dont think I’ll be getting honours for this but I’m not giving up yet 🙂
@Jarson (Comment 44) :
Survival of the fittest ! 😆
Anyone heard of a certain blindside flanker called……………..Eben Joubert ❓
Just that he has been named in the Otago Squad for the ITM Cup
…… sounds suspiciously like a Saffa in disguise !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 46) : No, but I’m sure he will be blamed if your team doesnt do well 😉 🙂
@Jarson (Comment 47) :
I’ve already loaded the gun ! 😉
Otago ITM Cup Side ….just named !
Forwards
Peter Mirrielees (Harbour)
Kees Meeuws (Southern)……… All Black Legend
Hayden Triggs (Green Island)…. Highlander
Seko Kalou (Kaikorai)
Josh Townsend (University)
Hoani Matenga (University)
Eben Joubert (Harbour)…………confused tourist 😉
Alando Soakai (Kaikorai)……..Highlander
Charlie O’Connell (Taieri)
Paul Grant (University)
Adam Thomson (University)…… Highlander & All Black
Liam Coltman (Alhambra-Union) ………… NZ Under 20 Hooker
Halani Aulika (Otahuhu, Auckland)……. won’t like the weather !
Sam Hibbard (University)……….. mate of my nephew !
Backs
Johnny Legg (Harbour)
Sean Romans (University)
Glenn Dickson (Pirates)
Chris Noakes (University)……….. another mate of my nephew
Josh Tatupu (Western Force)……. Interesting recruit
Ben Smith (Green Island)……..Highlander & All Black EOY Tourist
Andrew Parata (University)
Ryan Shortland (Taieri)
Joe Hill (Southern)
Fetu`u Vainikolo (Kaikorai)…. Highlander
Chris Small (HSOB, Canterbury)
Paula Kinikinilau (Alhambra – Union)
Unavailable at present due to NZ commitments
Tom Donnelly………. drop him from the AB’s please !
I’m more worried now than I was before, we could get slaughtered !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 49) : Nope, never heard of them, well maybe a few 😉 Why does Kinikinilau sound so familiar?
@Jarson (Comment 50) :
Was it Roy ….maybe a relation that was a huge wing that once played for Wellington !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 51) : Was within the last 5 year period I believe. But yeah I think he was a wing.
18 members 🙄 I guess our bloggers are to chicken to join 😉
Hello
Thanks HH this will help when we do our picks only got on and missed the post 😳 and already did my picks so i’ll keep in mind next time but i think we are well most of us going in blind and me don’t think i’ll make at least half mark but will do me best
GO Canterbury
@Jarson (Comment 53) : well at least the 18 arn’t Chickens
@chaz (Comment 54) :
I think other than picking the big four to win i.e. Canterbury Wellington, Auckland and Waikato…..all the games will be a bit difficult to pick.
So we will all be a bit blind in the first few weeks the margins are a tough call ! 😕
GO SHARKS !!!
@Charlie (Comment 57) :
I would just concentrate on getting fit again if i was you ! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 58) : Thanx for the tips Hert.. It is much appreciated..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 59) :
Did you like the odds….i did that especially for you !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 60) : I love the odds, thank you so much.. with odds everything makes so much more sense!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 61) :
Potentially some great betting games.
If you just ignore the top 4 as they will return little value….there is potentially a real log jam in the middle of the table from say 5 to 11 where anyone could beat anyone…upsets galore !
We have to team up on the bet of the week, i can include the HH bet of the week.. lol
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 63) :
Now your talking… we could call it ‘The Tip from Down Under’
I’m going to work on it right now ! 😆
Sound awesome.. I’m going to try put the tips on on Thursday.
That would exclude the thursday game then
27 members 😎
Let the games begin 😛
@Jarson (Comment 66) : 😎 competition ❗
what time’s the first game – who’s commenting
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 67) : Im looking forward to another competition on SB..
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 67) : Where’s Hertford
I wanna go see what his selections are..
I saw the other day that 90% of the guys on there chose the same picks
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 70) : We all get it right or we all get it wrong 😈 This round is going to be a close one.
I have arrived….
…have only made my Taranaki pick at this stage
….that’s how cool i am ! 😎
Too cool for school HH
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 73) : 😎
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 74) : Who are u going to pick between Waikato and BOP? I’ve allready picked the entire round so u can tell me this one 😛
@Jarson (Comment 75) : me too – relied solely on my 8th sense
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 76) : Wouldnt it be awesome to get a GSP in something u know almost nothing about
@Jarson (Comment 77) : hmmm – this is very tricky question. It potentially could undermine all my faith in knowledge and actively trying to gain more of it
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 78) : you’d get over it, though 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 79) : very quickly 🙄 😆
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 70) : 90% got it wrong 😯 😥
Taranaki 19 – 26 Northland
I did pick a margin of 7 though 😎
Aah shit.. Off to a great start then!?!?
@Jarson (Comment 81) : 😈
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 82) : Indeed. I’m playing NRL and its the same. Alot getting it right, alot getting it wrong 😈
Next game is tomorrow, so tata for now 😉
@Jarson (Comment 81) :
that’s a huge result a massive upset …. Great for Otago.
Re Waikato v BOP…. this will be close as well it’s a 50/50 call
….ahhhh the beauty of Superbru ! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 86) : indeed, the beauty of SB. I seem to be 8th with 0, which is so much better than 24th with 0
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 87) :
I bet i’m 24….. 😯
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 87) : I’m 8th with 0 aswell 😛
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 88) : 21st actually, just as bad though 😉 😆
@Jarson (Comment 89) :
I’m 21st …idiot !
….it must have rained…..what a competition !
Doesn’t it rain all the time in NZ?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 92) :
Bwahahahahaha….. that’s a goodie !
I’m still waiting on odds are you ?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 92) :
Have you ever visited Rich ! ❓
I haven’t been out my wonderful country, not by choice though!! Lol
As for those odd, I have match odds for the tri nations game, and I have handicaps for the currie cup. But no special odds for the tri nations, no first try or first infringement..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 95) :
We will have to organise a visit for you ! 💡
Can someone please tell me what the name of this pool is?? And the Pool code as well!! 🙄 😥
@wpw (Comment 97) : I see u have found us, welcome 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 91) : @Jarson (Comment 89) : @rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 87) : Because wpw decided to join late…. 🙄 we have all moved down a spot 🙁
@Jarson (Comment 99) : truly shocking – maybe hi zero is bigger
@wpw (Comment 97) :
Great ….. a true Champ is in our midst, one thing wpw i don’t think you can out under perform my CC SB efforts.
I think the ITM games are more unpredictable….hard to make ground in the CC ….but i think we will see big changes in the leaderboard from week to week in the ITM ! 😕