I lost count after 20, as to how many games we could have reported on this week. It is the best time of year in my mind, magnified by a factor of 50 with the ongoing Rugby World Cup. But back here in New Zealand, we enjoyed the best of both Men’s and Women’s rugby union so this week, your RugbyNZ_ Overview covers – WPC (Women’s Provincial Championship) ITM Cup and much more.
In general news, the Super Rugby 2016 draw was announced this week with the new conference system highlighting the recently added teams: Kings from Port Elizabeth re-enter the competition, as part of the six South African teams that are grouped in two African pools, including the new entrants from Japan, the Sun Wolves and Argentina (TBC) They will play matches in brand new territories, as the Cheetahs face the Tokyo-based franchise at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on the opening Saturday of the season (27 February)
The existing ten Australasian teams will be divided into New Zealand and Australian pools. No new teams here, but a reduced exposure to long-haul travel will mean a much more local focus, with last years finalist The Hurricanes and Highlanders facing off in Round two action to continue our 21st season of professional rugby in this country. Looking forward to reporting on these games from across the franchise regions.
As well as the professional game, age grade rugby was played from the top of the North Island, to the South Island with a number of competitions running. For the school age children (boys and girls) in Whangarei the traditional Roller Mills tournament had the primary/Intermediate age kids enjoying quality competition for North Island regions while in the South Island, they too had their regional sides converge on Canterbury for their sides competition.
Meanwhile in Taupo, the annual Jock Hobbs Memorial Under 19’s tournament kicked-off, with well prepared teams contesting this great competition. Round-robin matches resulted in Taranaki winning the play-off match for third and fourth – winning the Michael Jones Cup, while the Premier play-off game was between Canterbury and Waikato for the Graham Mourie Cup. In a pulsating final, the South Island team clinched the win 35-41 over their fancied opponents. Congratulations to all representative Under 19 players.
Right now, the TV remote is getting a good working over with rugby seemingly ’24 hours of the day’. By 2016, I might just have recovered from this flood of rugby: over 30 odd games this weekend to choose from, not including the Australian NRC or Currie Cup provincial championships. It sure is rugby heaven at the moment, so enjoy the RugbyNZ_ Overview.
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2015 Women’s Provincial Championship Week Seven
Results: Counties Manukau 23 Waikato 10 | Canterbury 35 Manawatu 17 | Otago 5 Auckland 39 | Bay of Plenty 5 Wellington 57
I have not covered this is depth, which has been out of neccessity but not out of a lack of enthusiasm. The WPC is a good demonstration of the strong Women’s game in this country; always has been, and in 2015 the format has allowed for six quality matches that have seen sides from across the country raise the standards to new heights.
On Friday afternoon, the Counties Heat side recorded their first ever win over the Waikato Women’s side which was a great lead-off match for the Men’s game, with similar wins up against their Hauraki neighbours for both. Canterbury and Auckland continuing their winning habits was slightly predictable and Wellington did themselves proud with a commanding 50 point victory. It was easy to imagine the results, but these ladies must put their minds on the task, play for the full 80 minutes and be just as strong as the men are.
For Canterbury, Kendra Cocksedge has became the first woman to post 500 points in all Women’s Provincial Championship rugby. The dominant figure for her side, the Black Ferns player epitomises the increased concentration on the sport, and the wonderful rewards will bolster Canterbury and New Zealand rugby, as players like Dayna Harrison, Stacey Waaka, Renee Wickliffe and many more putting their hands up for national selection.
This final week has set up some mouth watering action in the semi-finals and the interest in this might be elevated now, as people like myself recognize these girls for their commitment, hard work and professionalism over the last two months. I will be traveling to the Storm match so I’d suggest you take time to enjoy some brilliant WPC finals action over the next fortnight yourself.
Future fixtures: Saturday 10th September: Auckland Storm v Waikato, TBC* | Wellington Pride v Counties Heat, Petone; 12:30pm | * venue and times to be confirmed.
WPC News – The final will be played the following weekend, October 17th as the curtain-raiser to the Saturday afternoon ITM Cup semifinal: details to be confirmed once available.
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ITM CUP – Week Eight
Results: Wednesday 30th September, Wellington 22 Hawke’s Bay 22 | Thursday 1st October, North Harbour 32 Otago 39 | Friday 2nd October, Waikato 9 Counties-Manukau 30 | Saturday 3rd October, Tasman 25 Canterbury 41 | Manawatu 10 Taranaki 44 | Auckland 64 Northland 21 | Sunday 4th October, Southland 28 Hawke’s Bay 35 | Bay of Plenty 13 Wellington 31
After the leading Tasman Makos had been stung by Counties-Manukau last week, two further results have shifted the standings between places three to five in the Premiership, as the leading provinces underlined their credibility for the ITM Cup. The Makos hosted Caterbury, and while Marty Banks did his very best to keep his side within touch of Canterbury, it wasn’t long until that side broke the shackles and scored their fourth try. It sealed a double-blow for the Tasman side and then to only make things worse (in the challenge for third place) the unfancied Steelers bested their Waikato neighbours with a resounding win at FMG Stadium. That loss compounded Brad Webber’s men to some more embarrassment in front of home fans. Losing poorly in the end, they will have to battle now for a place in the finals weekends.
But neither Taranaki or Auckland have those concerns, as they pushed their opposition aside and look forward to higher honours – looking forward, the best position to ever be in when you are needing to peak for knock-out rugby. The RugbyNZ_ Overview think this has been one of the best seasons of the new structure, even if others still want a full 14 team competition.
LWOS Player of the Week: Akira Ioane. Having now graduated out of the New Zealand U21’s side, Ioane is doing some incredible things in this provincial Premiership, with his strength and eye for a gap on display against Northland. In a grand opening statement, he stormed through for two tries that were dynamic and exciting to witness. The guy has a ton of ability, and it would not surprise Last Word On Sports if he is called into next season wider-training group for the national team, if his ITM Cup form translates onto the Super Rugby field.
A draw between the top-of-the-table Championship pair of Hawke’s Bay and Wellington either showed (a) how even the sides are, or (b) that they are holding back for the finals series to begin. Why burn out now trying to reach that weekend, only to be knocked-out due to exhaustion. Not discounting Otago’s efforts though, who have taken some key wins to build up good momentum towards a likely top four placing.
Unlike Otago, Northland; who will not want to reflect back on their terrible loss, and now each have two games this week and the competition schedule overall has been very very good to be fair. The ten day turn arounds are tough, but every side has to complete that schedule. Now, having fit bodies at this end of the competition is key to your success, so the leading sides will need to manage players more in these final weeks.
Note: Israel Dagg has been removed from the Hawke’s Bay team, undergoing surgery for a dislocated shoulder. A critical loss for the Bay, as well as cover for the All Blacks.
Future fixtures: Wednesday 7th October: Northland v Otago, Whangarei | Thursday 8th October: Taranaki v Tasman, New Plymouth | Friday 9th October: Hawke’s Bay v Waikato, Napier {RS] | Saturday 10th October: Canterbury v Southland, Christchurch | Wellington v Manawatu, Wellington | Counties Manukau v Auckland, Pukekohe | Sunday 11th October: North Harbour v Northland, Albany | Otago v Bay of Plenty, Dunedin
Key matches: Northland v Otago and the Otago v Bay of Plenty Sunday game will be great encounters that could boost the Southern team into a home semi-final position. That might in-part be due to Hawke’s Bay v Waikato clash which is a Shield match and will either confirm the Bay’s standing or help Waikato stay near the top four in the Premiership. Such implications on both competitions are very timely, now more relative to form as to provincial rivalries. If Counties could trip over their big brother Auckland’s domination, it might shake the competition to its foundations!
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HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP – Week Seven
Results: Saturday 29th August – West Coast 22 King Country 36 | Mid Canterbury 43 Horowhenua Kapiti 47 | South Canterbury 58 North Otago 21 | Wanganui 57 Poverty Bay 23 | Buller 25 Thames Valley 17 | East Coast 5 Wairarapa Bush 45
Game of the week – If a game contains 90 points, and one side does not score more than 47 points [Horowhenua-Kapiti] then you know it means two teams have really tested each other. Mid Canterbury are the leading side, but on this day they were bettered. Simple as that, due to motivating factors for the lower North Island team and a low point for the men from the Mainland.
That point scoring trend not only applied in Ashburton, as South Canterbury and Wairarapa Bush both scored 40 plus wins. And in beating North Otago, the boys from Timaru have given that team a tough next match and might have stopped their neighbours chances of a finals berth. Conversely, the Kapiti team are now engaged in a tug-of-war with Wairarapa over fourth spot – by next Saturday night, we will know the results from Week Eight and our finalist.
All the best Gentleman.
Future fixtures: Saturday 10th September: Poverty Bay v South Canterbury, Gisbourne | Thames Valley v West Coast, Paeroa | Wairarapa Bush v Wanganui, Masterton | Horowhenua Kapiti v Buller, Levin | North Otago v Mid Canterbury, Oamaru | King Country v East Coast, Taupo
Heartland News – With a single round left, the ramifications from this week will certainly ensure that all sides play to their capacity. For semi-professional teams, they have provincial pride on the line and the big clashes will result in a quality final four who will be rewarded for good pre-seasons and well managed seasons to reach this point.
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