A new condensed format (to accommodate the RWC), two divisions, 14 team line-ups, young players to watch, captains, predictions and a Superbru pool to enter – New Zealand’s ITM Cup 2011 is all right here on Sharksworld.
This year is the first year of a new format for the ITM Cup, with two divisions, the ITM Premiership and Championship. Each division comprises 7 teams with the teams ranked 1 to 7 contesting the Premiership and the teams ranked 8 to 14 contesting the Championship. Each respective teams ranking is based on their finishing place in the 2010 ITM Cup.
All teams play 10 regular season games (five home, five away) then Finals.
All ITM Premiership teams play against each other once, plus four crossover matches against ITM Championship teams.
All ITM Championship teams play against each other once, plus four cross-over matches with ITM Premiership teams.
All games (including crossover matches) carry full competition points automatic promotion / relegation between the 7th placed team in ITM Premiership and winner of the ITM Championship.
This year because of timing pressures due to the RWC we have 3 mid-week games for each team and no semi-finals making the entire competition an 8 week affair. There will be 3 or 4 midweek games every week. Which basically means non-stop rugby in reality, which will require some focus to keep up with.
The ITM Premiership and ITM Championship Finals are scheduled for 3 September.
Like the Currie Cup don’t expect to see too many 2011 RWC All Blacks in the mix during this season, however there is bound to be the odd high profile player getting game time either to prove their fitness or to keep their fitness up as we approach the big event.
Each week I will preview the matches, this year I am going to talk in weeks rather than rounds with there being so many mid-week encounters it is hard to work out when one Round ends and the next one starts. I will be making an educated guess at who will win and by what margin. This may be of some interest to those that are interested in playing the ITM Cup on Superbru. For the record last year we managed only to predict 68% when it came to the prediction game. This year looks no easier and each week is traditionally packed with boil overs and upsets galore, getting the margins right is no easier, so don’t feel intimidated when putting your neck on the line during the 2011 ITM season.
Like last year Sharksworld will have its own official Pool which everyone is welcome to join. Our very own Punter has opened it and the details are below, look forward to seeing you there.
Pool name: Sharksworld
Poll Code: userawry
Premiership Teams Preview
Auckland
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: Losing semi-finalist to Waikato in a classic match 37-38
Captain: Daniel Braid
Key Players: Charlie Faumuina, Benson Stanley, Alby Mathewson, Joe Rokocoko
Young Player Watch: Gareth Anscombe – Fly half
2011 ITM Premiership Season Prediction: Runners-Up
Bay of Plenty
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: 6th
Captain: Colin Burke
Key Players: Steve Kefu, Bronson Murray, Jason Spice, Callum Retallick
Young Player Watch: Leon Power – Lock
2011 ITM Premiership Season Prediction: 6th
Canterbury
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: Champions
Captain: Ash Parker
Key Players: Robbie Fruean, Matt Todd, Ryan Crotty, Sean Maitland, Nasi Manu
Young Player Watch: Luke Whitelock – Number 8
2011 ITM Premiership Season Prediction: Champions
Waikato
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: Runners-Up
Captain: Nathan White
Key Players: Marty Holah, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Sitiveni Sivavatu, Ben May, Brendon Leonard
Young Player Watch: Jack Lam – Openside Flanker
2011 ITM Premiership Season Prediction: 3rd
Southland
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: 7th
Captain: Jamie Mackintosh
Key Players: Mackintosh, Jason Rutledge, Kenny Lynn, Josh Bekhuis, John Hardie, Robbie Robinson
Young Player Watch: Michael Fatialofa – Loose Forward
2011 ITM Premiership Season Prediction: 5th
Taranaki
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: 5th
Captain: Craig Clarke
Key Players: Jason Eaton, Kurt Baker, Scott Waldrom, James Broadhurst, Michael Bent
Young Player Watch: Beauden Barrett – Fly half/Fullback
2011 ITM Premiership Season Prediction: 4th
Wellington
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: Losing semi-finalist to Canterbury 41-57
Captain: Jeremy Thursh
Key Players: Lima Sopoaga, Jacob Ellison, Michael Hobbs, Victor Vito, Nem Tialata, Dan Coles
Young Player Watch: Julian Savea – Wing
2011 ITM Premiership Season Prediction: 7th Relegated
Championship Teams Preview
Counties Manukau
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: 9th
Captain:
Key Players: Fritz Lee, Tim Nanai-Williams, Sherwin Stowers, DJ Forbes, Siale Piutau,
Young Player Watch: Baden Kerr – Fly half
2011 ITM Championship Season Prediction: Winners Promoted to 2012 Premiership
Hawke’s Bay
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: 8th
Captain: Mike Coman
Key Players: Hika Elliot, Kahn Fotuali’I, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Israel Dagg, Bryn Evans
Young Player Watch: Star Timu – Centre
2011 ITM Championship Season Prediction: 3rd
Manawatu
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: 13th
Captain: Grant Polson
Key Players: Aaron Smith, Aaron Cruden, Nick Crosswell
Young Player Watch: Callum Gibbins – Flanker
2011 ITM Championship Season Prediction: 6th
North Harbour
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: 11th
Captain: Chris Smylie
Key Players: Rudi Wulf, Matt Luamanu
Young Player Watch: Ben Afeaki – Tighthead Prop
2011 ITM Championship Season Prediction: Runners-Up
Northland
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: 10th
Captain: Jared Payne
Key Players: Payne, Rene Ranger, Lauchie Munro,
Young Player Watch: Danny Mason – Loose Forward
2011 ITM Championship Season Prediction: 5th
Tasman
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: 12th
Captain: Andrew Goodman
Key Players: Tom Marshall, Quentin MacDonald, Joe Wheeler, Jonathan Poff
Young Player Watch: Mitchell Scott – Wing
2011 ITM Championship Season Prediction: 4th
Otago
2010 ITM Cup Finishing Position: Last – 14th
Captain: Eben Joubert
Key Players: Tony Brown, Kees Meews, Tom Donnelly, Ben Smith, Ben Atiga
Young Player Watch: Buxton Popoali’I – Wing
2011 ITM Championship Season Prediction: 7th
Week 1 – Match Preview
Week 1 sees all 14 teams do battle and getting the season away to what will be a fast and furious season. It will not be for the faint hearted, if you take your eye off the ball you could be left in the dust and that applies to players, management and supporters alike. Here are the first 7 Games and our corresponding predictions. As the teams become available during the course of the week we will update them and hopefully it will provide an informed weekly tread.
Game 1 Otago v North Harbour Prediction: Otago by 1-5 points
This will be a war of attrition with the worst rugby weather of the year forecast for Carisbrook. The home side may just get home due to its familiarity with the conditions.
TEAMS:
Note that each team will name 23 players in 2011, with three-front row forwards among the eight reserves.
Otago: 1. Halani Aulika, 2. Jason MacDonald, 3. Kees Meeuws, 4. Daniel Ramsay, 5. Tom Donnelly, 6. Regan Tamihere, 7. Eben Joubert (capt), 8. Gareth Evans, 9. Sean Romans, 10. Tony Brown, 11. Buxton Popoali’i, 12. Sam Giddens, 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. Jayden Spence, 22. Matt Faddes, 23. Scott Manson.
North Harbour: 1. Mike Reid, 2. James Parsons, 3. Ben Afeaki, 4. Chris Smith, 5. James King, 6. Solomon King, 7. Brent Wilson, 8. Matt Luamanu, 9. Chris Smylie (capt), 10. Ben Botica, 11. Nafi Tuitavake, 12. Brendon Watt, 13. Rudi Wulf, 14. David Raikuna, 15. Codey Rei.
Reserves: 16. Mike Mayhew, 17. Taione Vea, 18. James Afoa, 19. Irwin Finau, 20. Scott Uren, 21. Luke Hamilton, 22. Willie Walker, 23. Ken Pisi.
REFEREE: Glen Jackson
Game 2 Southland v Waikato Prediction: Southland by 1-5 points
No this is not the Highlanders v Chiefs but on paper it has that flavour. Invercargill is one of the toughest places to win for a visiting side and the Waikato team tonight may just find out why with arctic conditions forecast. Southland in a nail-biter.
TEAMS:
Southland: 1. Jamie Mackintosh (capt), 2. Jason Rutledge, 3. Chris King, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 5. Ben Nally, 6. Alex Taylor, 7. John Hardie, 8. Elliot Dixon, 9. Scott Cowan, 10. Scott Eade, 11. Glen Horton, 12. Matt Saunders, 13. Kendrick Lynn, 14. Mark Wells, 15. Robbie Robinson.
Reserves: 16. David Hall, 17. Nick Barrett, 18. Joe Tuineau, 19. Kaleni Taituli, 20. Sonny Rangitohereri, 21. James Lew, 22. Tim Cornforth, 23. Michael Peterson.
Waikato: 1. Ben May, 2. Aled de Malmanche, 3. Nathan White (capt), 4. Toby Lynn, 5. Romana Graham, 6. Matt Vant Leven, 7. Marty Holah, 8. Alex Bradley, 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10. Stephen Donald, 11. Declan O’Donnell, 12. Jackson Willison, 13. Save Tokula, 14. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 15. Trent Renata.
Reserves: 16. Marcel Cummings-Toone, 17. Toby Smith, 18. Chris Middleton, 19. Zack Hohneck, 20. Brendon Leonard, 21. Tim Mikkelson, 22. Rena Schuster, 23. Ted Tauroa.
REFEREE: Garratt Williamson
Game 3 Manawatu v Hawke’s Bay Prediction: Hawke’s Bay by 5-10 points
Hawke’s Bay should win here and easy. I have been conservative with the margin but the Bay could put the Turbo’s to the sword.
TEAMS:
Manawatu: 1. Grant Polson (capt), 2. Rob Foreman, 3. Ma’afu Fia, 4. Michael Fitzgerald, 5. Fraser Stone, 6. Nick Crosswell, 7. Callum Gibbins, 8. Hamish Gosling, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Junior Tomasi Cama, 12. Frank Bryant, 13. Johnny Leota, 14. Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 15. Nehe Milne-Skudder.
Reserves: 16. Bryn Templeman, 17. Peni Kaufusi, 18. Jared Brock, 19. Reece Robinson, 20. James Oliver, 21. Karl Bryson, 22. Daniel Kelly, 23. Lewis Marshall or Casey Stone.
Hawke’s Bay: 1. Hikairo Forbes, 2. Hikawera Elliot, 3. Jody Allen, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Bryn Evans, 6. Hugh Reed, 7. Karl Lowe, 8. Mike Coman (capt), 9. Chris Eaton, 10. Andrew Horrell, 11. Tu Umaga-Marshall, 12. Ryan McLeod, 13. Star Timu, 14. Sinoti Sinoti, 15. Mark Jackman.
Reserves: 16. Danny Logan, 17. Ashton Johnson, 18. Ben Tameifuna, 19. Adam Bradey, 20. Isaac Paewai, 21. Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22. Richard Buckman, 23. Sona Taumalolo.
REFEREE: Richard Kelly
Game 4 Northland v Tasman Prediction: Northland by 1-5 points
Potentially one of the closer clashes this weekend. The sides look evenly matched on paper, but the Taniwha may have just a little more strike power to edge the contest.
TEAMS:
Northland: 1. Matt Wallis, 2. Ross Wright, 3. Scott Vessey, 4. Bryce Williams, 5. Marty Veale, 6. Dan Faleafa, 7. Joel McKenty, 8. Cameron Eyre, 9. Rhyan Caine, 10. Ash Moeke, 11. Bryce Heem, 12. Aaron Bancroft, 13. Rene Ranger, 14. Lachie Munro, 15. Jared Payne (capt).
Reserves: 16. Tim Dow, 17. Justin Davies, 18. Mark Burman, 19. Cam Goodhue, 20. Dan Pryor, 21. Wanye Ngaluafe, 22. Jack McPhee, 23. Jamie Corsi.
Tasman: 1. Sam Prattley, 2. Francis Smith, 3. Fai Mika, 4. Riki Hoeata, 5. Joe Wheeler, 6. Jonathon Poff, 7. Shane Christie, 8. Mark Bright, 9. Steve Alfeld, 10. James Marshall, 11. Willie McGoon, 12. Andrew Goodman (capt), 13. Kieron Fonotia, 14. Lucky Mulipola or Mitchell Scott, 15. Robbie Malneek.
Reserves: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Craig Moore, 18. Pablo Heuete, 19. Liam Squire, 20. Shawn Begg, 21. James Proctor, 22. Scott or Jack Umaga, 23. James Hadfield.
REFEREE: Shane McDermott
Game 5 Taranaki v Wellington Prediction: Taranaki by 10-15 points
Taranaki had a solid season last year and still have the personnel to trouble the more fancied sides. Wellington on the other hand may be in for a long season.
TEAMS:
Taranaki: 1. Carl Carmichael, 2. Andrew Hore, 3. Michael Bent, 4. Jason Eaton, 5. Craig Clarke (capt), 6. Chris Walker, 7. Scott Waldrom, 8. Samuela Vunisa, 9. Tyson Keats, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Andre Taylor, 12. Jayden Hayward, 13. Isaia Tuifua, 14. Waisake Naholo, 15. Kurt Baker.
Reserves: 16. Laurence Corlett, 17. Sione Lea, 18. Blade Thomson, 19. Ben Souness, 20. Brett Goodin, 21. Jack Cameron, 22. Frazer Climo, 23. Kevin Curtis.
Wellington: 1. Neemia Tialata, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Whetu Henry, 4. Jeremy Thrush (capt), 5. Mark Reddish, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Scott Fuglistaller, 8. Victor Vito, 9. Piri Weepu, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Michael Hobbs, 13. Alipate Leiua, 14. Jason Woodward, 15. Cory Jane.
Reserves: 16. Motu Matu’u, 17. Reg Goodes, 18. Api Naikatini, 19. Faifili Levave, 20. TJ Perenara, 21. Steve Honey, 22. Apoua Stewart, 23. Arden David-Perrot.
REFEREE: Jonathon White
Game 6 Auckland v Canterbury Prediction: Auckland by 5-10 points
This shapes as the final before the actual final, with the powerhouses of New Zealand rugby locking horns in the first round. I think the home side may just edge the champions first up – the final maybe a different story!
TEAMS:
Note that each team will name 23 players in 2011, with three-front row forwards among the eight reserves.
Auckland: 1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Steve Luatua, 5. Josh Townsend, 6. Onosai’i Auva’a, 7. Daniel Braid (capt), 8. Chris Lowery, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 11. Charles Piutau, 12. Benson Stanley, 13. Hadleigh Parkes, 14. Francis Saili, 15. Brent Ward.
Reserves: 16. Ash Dixon, 17. Angus Ta’avao, 18. Richard Haddon or Nathan Hughes, 19. Sean Polwart, 20. Auvasa Faleali’i, 21. Piers Francis, 22. Joe Rokocoko, 23. Tevita Mailau.
Canterbury: 1. Joe Moody, 2. Paul Ngauamo, 3. Andrew Olorenshaw, 4. Luke Katene, 5. Luke Romano, 6. Ash Parker (capt), 7. Brendon O’Connor, 8. Nasi Manu, 9. Willi Heinz, 10. Colin Slade, 11. Patrick Osborne, 12. Tom Taylor, 13. Ryan Crotty, 14. Telusa Veainu, 15. Johnny McNicholl.
Reserves: 16. Steve Fualau, 17. Paea Fa’anunu, 18. Reuben Thorne, 19. Luke Whitelock, 20. Mark Swanepoel, 21. Kolio Hifo, 22. Robbie Fruean, 23. Sam Cottam.
REFEREE: Chris Pollock
Game 7 Counties Manukau v Bay of Plenty Prediction: Counties Manukau by 5-10 points
The final match of the round sees two very evenly matched sides square off. BOP have a big pack and have every opportunity to take this one, however I’ll go the way of the home side, they have plenty of exciting strike runners that may just get them home in a flash of brilliance.
TEAMS:
Counties-Manukau: 1. Ihipa Thompson, 2. Grant Henson, 3. Jeremiah Fatialofa, 4. Ronald Raaymakers, 5. Jamie Chipman (capt), 6. DJ Forbes, 7. Mark Selwyn, 8. Fritz Lee, 9. August Pulu, 10. James Semple, 11. Sherwin Stowers, 12. Niva Ta’auso, 13. Siale Piutau, 14. Tyrone Lefau, 15. Ahsee Tuala.
Reserves: 16. Mark Price, 17. Maka Tatafu, 18. Sileki Nabou, 19. Adam Cathcart, 20. David Bason, 21. Reynold Lee-Lo, 22. Bundee Aki, 23. Matt Talaese.
Bay of Plenty: 1. Tristan Moran, 2. Daniel Perrin, 3. Josh Hohneck, 4. Luke Andrews, 5. Culum Retallick, 6. Tanerau Latimer, 7. Sam Cane, 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. John Pareanga, 17. Bronson Murray, 18. Pingi Tala’apitanga, 19. Leon Power, 20. Carl Axtens, 21. Taniela Moa, 22. Chris Noakes, 23. Lance MacDonald.
REFEREE: Shaun Elliott
Tweet
Great HH I already made my picks, I hope u have hm all wrong, cause I picked all opposite 👿
Ag crap. Made my picks already! 🙁
@franshark (Comment 1) : @Ben (Comment 2) :
Sorry chaps, will do my best to get them up asap…. but to be honest it will be tough the games starting from tomorrow night are going to be coming fast and furious.
Don’t worry about picking all the opposite teams. 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 3) : No worries mate, most of my picks are the same as yours.
@Ben (Comment 4) : also wrong then 🙂
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 3) : yes no worries, only pulling you chain, thanks for the preview 🙂
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 3) : Why does the word “Otago” still appear in the same font size as teams like Canterbury and Auckland?
Can something not be done to make the Otago font size directly proportional to their chances of success – I was thinking of this size —>….. 😈
I don’t know jack about the teams in the ITM Cup but I am keen to play. Will have to rely on these blogs… hope you know your rugga HH!! 😈
Great stuff HH, gonna make my picks in a while, pretty much the same route I’ll be going with exception of 1 or 2 😎
I will be doing an experiment this season. I will be running an entry picking exactly what the preview predicts. Will be interesting to see the result.
A good one for the SR is to only pick home teams and see how you do.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) : Bad Idea 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) : Considering how little I have followed new zealand domestic rugby, I was seriously considering doing a similar thing!
@Greg (Comment 12) : Similar to part 1, that is. The second option is not such a great one, it would have given you a win ratio of 54% in 2011.
Since S12 began in 1996, the home team has won 62% of the time.
Both numbers include semis and finals, as well as playoffs this year.
What time is kick-off?
@JarsonX (Comment 14) :
7:30 NZT it is absolutely freezing here….someone could die out there tonight. It could be a 3-0 result to the Otago boys the lads from Auckland are not going to like this! 😆
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 15) : Hehehehe Enjoy and have a few fluids to keep the internal organs warm. 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 16) :
Tucked up in the media box…luckily. 😆
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 17) : Ah very well played. 🙂
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 17) : Will you be doing any RWC coverage for Mentor Mag?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) :
No not at this stage….there may be developments there.
I am however going to all the England games here in Dunedin! 😎
Plus Ireland v Italy 😎
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 15) : Picked Otago as well, by the smallest of margins though. 😈
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 20) : Nice.
@JarsonX (Comment 14) : 9:35 here by us 🙂
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 20) : I somehow missed your otago predict so we have one pick the same 🙂 my margin slightly bigger
Ok guys and girls i’m off to the match, wish me luck.
Going to grab this South African captain of ours for a few words , on full time.
Will report back……OOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTAAAGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 25) : Enjoy buddy 😉
Otago leading 10 – 0 17min
Otago leading 24 – 5 34min
@franshark (Comment 28) : My margin seems to be to small 😯 😳
Mine’s not to bad now
Same score HT
Otago 24 – 8 North Harbour
42 minutes
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 31) :
Off to a great start, I have NH by 8?!
Otago 29 – 8 North Harbour
45 min
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 32) : 🙂
Score??
Otago 34 – 8 North Harbour
63 min
Otago 34 – 15 North Harbour
65 min
Otago 41 – 22 North Harbour
71 min
I would love the score to stay like this 🙂
Otago by 1 😳
@franshark (Comment 39) : Starting of with a win is always great 😛
FULL TIME
Otago 46 – 29 North Harbour
Let’s see here, I picked otago by 17…. Ok ok start handing out prizes 😆 well at laest I’ve led after the first game 🙂
17 point margin. HH is gonna be stoked with this. Well done Otago. 😎
@franshark (Comment 43) :
SOUTHLAND V WAIKATO
South 0 – 7 Waikato
14mins
@JarsonX (Comment 46) :
Who did you go for?
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 47) : Waikato by 2 😛
@JarsonX (Comment 48) : Shame 😕
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 49) :
Morning HH..
Long time..
I went Southland, hope they can come back from the 10 point deficit..
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 49) : 😈
South 0 – 10 Waikato
18mins
4 yellow cards already. 😯
Dirty kiwis. 😈
@McLovin (Comment 52) : You must be kidding??!! 😯
South 3 – 13 Waikato
27mins
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 53) : Two locks, one hooker & a loosehead.
Locks just back on now.
@JarsonX (Comment 51) : Damnit… I picked South by 4… should NOT have listened to you HH!! 👿
South 6 – 13 Waikato
29mins
@McLovin (Comment 55) : For which team though? I reckon the ref is just sending off tight 5 players coz he wants uncontested scrums. 😈
@McLovin (Comment 52) :
@McLovin (Comment 57) : That sounds more like it! 😛
@McLovin (Comment 55) : Teams?
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 58) : 2 players each.
So what about the Poms apparently going to be playing in black at the World cup? 🙄
I picked Wacko’s by 6 🙂
Goeie more HH
@McLovin (Comment 63) : Dumbasses! But at least if they win then the Kiwis can say at least the ‘all blacks’ won the competion… 😆 😈
South 9 – 13 Waikato
33mins
Back to 15 a side.
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 65) : A bit silly imo. Not sure what they are hoping to achieve.
I hope they go out at the earliest opportunity. 😈
@McLovin (Comment 63) : The white becomes brown and dirty very quickly, so maybe they wanna safe some money on bleach 😈
Half Time
Southland 9 – 13 Waikato
@McLovin (Comment 69) : I hope Waikato can maintain their lead 😕
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 50) :
Morning Punter
….Southland will bring this home don’t panic! 😎
@JarsonX (Comment 70) : I hope not!
@McLovin (Comment 69) : If southland score a converted try and the score remains the same I’ll have called it exactly! (Southland by 4) 😎 C’mon Southland! 😀
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 71) : If they do, I hope it’s by not more than 3 😈
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 49) : another whitelock for the crusaders??? how many are there?
and mark swanepoel.. the same swanepoel scrumhalf that played for the forde??
South 9 – 16 Waikato
43mins
@McLovin (Comment 76) : ah damn… 😡
@McLovin (Comment 76) : 7 points aint good enough 😕
South 9 – 19 Waikato
55mins
@McLovin (Comment 79) : This is going downhill 4 me…
@JarsonX (Comment 78) : 7 points will be close enough 🙂
Hi HH !!! if i look at the ITM cup teams the super rugby players seem to be a lot more evenly distributed among the teams then compared to the Currie cup .
@McLovin (Comment 79) : To high, need them to win by no more than 7.
10mins to post a comment! WTF!! 👿
Southland 9 – 19 Waikato
75mins
5m Scrum Waikato.
20secs to go.
@McLovin (Comment 85) : …….
FULL TIME
SOUTHLAND 9 – 19 WAIKATO
Ok that still works, at least have a margin point 🙂
@McLovin (Comment 88) : At least I get another win 😎
@HH, you said ‘shame’, explain please 😉
@JarsonX (Comment 90) :
Well done that is a good result for Waikato.
They looked quite good actually Southland lack fire power in the backs. May struggle.
@VanWilder (Comment 75) :
Yes right on both accounts. Luke Whitelock brother number 4. Was the New Zealand under 20 Captain this year. Apparently the best of the clan. Number 8 talented lad, worth keeping your eye on.
….and yes Mark Swanepoel from the Force….interesting!
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 92) : HH – do you have any idea how many Tuilagis there are, speaking of rugby dynasties…
@robdylan (Comment 93) :
Brian Lima will tell you! 😯
@robdylan (Comment 93) :
No seriously …. 6…. I think …..Henry, Sanele, Alesana (Alex), Fereti (Freddie), Anitelia (Andy) and Manu 😯
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 94) :
FULLTIME
MANUWATU 32 – 23 HAWKE’S BAY
Margin
FULLTIME
NORTHLAND 19 – 9 TASMAN
Margin 10
Wellington leading 8 – 0 at half time
3 from 4 picks correct
@franshark (Comment 99) :
Watching Wellington they may not be as bad as I thought 2/4 so far looking like 2/5 😳
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 101) : if Wel makes it, ill have 4 from 5 🙂
@franshark (Comment 102) :
Just remember its not a sprint! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 103) : ja and I’m already sliding down 🙁
Got 3 from 4 as well. Picked Taranaki to win by 3.
Otago by 7
Waikato by 8
Hawke’s Bay by 14 🙁
Northland by 11
Wellington by 12
Auckland by 10
Manukau by 12
@KSA Shark © (Comment 106) : Looks sound! 🙄
Taranaki 5 – 8 Wellington
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 107) : Hawke’s bay screwed me over. 🙁
@KSA Shark © (Comment 109) : Me too 🙁
Otago by 1
Waikato by 2
Hawke’s Bay by 4
Northland by 6
Taranaki by 3
Auckland by 1
Bay o Plenty by 4 😕
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 107) : Oh and just so we’re clear, I wasn’t being serious when I said I’d be picking as per the predictions. 😉
Taranaki 5 – 15 Wellington
Not sure how much time is left. 😕
@JarsonX (Comment 111) : You’re about to get shafted by Wellington as well. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 114) : I see that 🙁
@JarsonX (Comment 111) : Your margins are tiny. 😯
I have wellington by 10, pity the score just changed 5 – 18 wel
11 min to go
@KSA Shark © (Comment 116) : The smallest ones is where I’m hoping for a margin point should the other team just sneak a win.
On the other hand, I rarely have big margins.
Hatrick for Jason nr 14,
@JarsonX (Comment 119) : I’ll be closest of the losers 😈
@franshark (Comment 117) : That margin suits me fine. 😉
Wel 23 – 5 Tar
Wel 23 – 5 Tar
72min
@JarsonX (Comment 119) : Ahhhhhhhhhh
@franshark (Comment 124) : Now Taranaki needs to wake up.
@franshark (Comment 124) : hope taranaki pulls one back here 😉
So the day will end on 3 from 5 🙁 At least I got 1 from 1 in the CC 😛
FINAL SCORE
Wel 23 – 5 Tar
FULLTIME
AUCKLAND 33 – 40 CANTERBURY
Margin 7
3 from 6 🙁
@JarsonX (Comment 130) : 🙁
@JarsonX (Comment 130) : 🙁
I’m not sure what I’m sitting on but I think it is 4 from 6 IF I’m lucky.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 133) : u are 4/6 and so are ME
@franshark (Comment 134) : 😎
FULLTIME
COUNTIES 13 – 20 BAY OF PLENTY
Margin 7
😕
4 from 7 with 2 margin points. Not good enough. 🙁
Well I don’t think I have ever managed it before… but picked 2/7 and am officially 43rd and LAST in the Pool! 😳
Do you think it is worth writing a thread next week? 😕
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 138) : It’s up to you 😉 @Hertford Highlander (Comment 137) : Glad I’m not following your predictions
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 137) : Hey this will just make it so much more interesting when you write your victory speech at the conclusion of the comp. 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 140) : So is my LMS pick sorted?
@JarsonX (Comment 141) : I believe so. If not it will be sorted today.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 142) : Im what way?
@JarsonX (Comment 143) : Check your email it is sorted.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 137) : well after ending on top after the first 2 days, I now have plumed down to 13th spot 🙁
Cool. Picked 6/7 correctly. Beginners luck I guess. 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 144) : 😎