Time Running Out For Jubilee Strugglers

After just three rounds, both the Hardham and Jubilee Cups are finely balanced and both look set to go down to the wire over the final month of round-robin rugby. It’s crunch time this weekend for several sides for their respective semi-final chances, and in the case of the Hardham Cup, the threat of relegation next year. For winless Tawa and Marist St. Pats in the Jubilee Cup, week four is a must win round for their semi-final chances, whilst in the Hardham Cup the rise of Wainuiomata is adding pressure on the other competing clubs, not just for their playoff hopes but for their survival in the Swindale Shield next year.

The involvement of several Hurricanes players and All Blacks Ma’a Nonu, Piri Weepu and Chris Masoe in last week’s round of Wellington club rugby certainly brought an extra level of intensity into the Jubilee and Hardham Cup competitions. But the likely absence of the All Blacks, and the Vodafone Wellington Lions players to the Air New Zealand Cup, until at least finals day, won’t diminish either of the competitions.In the Jubilee Cup Marist St. Pats have to beat four-point frontrunners Northern United this week at Evans Bay Park to avoid a second successive season outside the top four. With a draw against Petone and losses to HOBM and Old Boys-University, MSP are struggling. But their loss to OBU was close at 14-13 and with further tenacity, as well as leading try scorer Julian Tupai (11 tries) looming out wide, an upset will be possible.

Just as desperate this weekend are both Tawa and Petone, with Tawa effectively needing four bonus point wins to make the playoffs, while Petone’s draw-loss-win record so far makes their chances far from assured. Tawa's inspirational captain and playmaker Willie Lafaele is still out of of action since injuring his knee six weeks ago. So it will be up to Nigel Hunt and his fellow backs to look back to their round four Swindale Shield 46-21 win over Petone, for inspiration. With a strong scrum and competitive loosies as well, Tawa are well capable of staying alive for another week against the Cup holders.

Perhaps the closest round four clash will be between OBU and Poneke at Kilbirnie Park. Both come off spirited wins, with Poneke engineering a come-from-behind 26-21 victory over Avalon to mirror OBU’s one point thriller against MSP. It will be an even battle in the forwards, with both teams committed and organised in their set-piece and driving play, while OBU will hope for a dry day and the chance to use their in-form backs, particularly with Poneke centre Tane Tu’ipulotu absent with the Lions. Meanwhile Hutt Old Boys Marist will want to bounce back from their 20-29 loss to Petone when they host Avalon at the Hutt Recreation Ground. The sign draped over the Hutt Rec stand proclaims that the Eagles are soaring. They will be if they overcome Avalon, where they will move back into the top three, pending the Poneke – OBU outcome.