Possibilities abound in tomorrow’s sixth round

UPDATED: It could be all-on or all-over for several teams after tomorrow’s penultimate round of Premier matches. The possible outcomes vary widely; the playoff fields in both the Jubilee and Hardham Cups could be set with only the ‘who-plays-who’ to be determined next week, or there could be a series of results that leaves three places up for grabs with six teams still alive in each of the Premier grades. With all games kicking off at 2.45pm radio reports and social media messages will be sought after as supporters try to build a picture of their team’s fate.

Jubilee Cup

Old Boys-University became the first side to confirm their playoff place with their win over Petone, a result that pushed them more than 10 points clear of the fifth-placed side. On Saturday they host Tawa at the Basin Reserve in a top-of-the-table clash, with the incentive for the Goats that they can secure a home semi-final in two weeks’ time with a win regardless of what happens elsewhere, though a loss could see them drop as low as third. Tawa rebounded from their loss to Petone with victory over HOBM and still entertain thoughts of a home semi though they likely need to win this to, at worst, keep that a reality. A win, or a Petone loss, will assure them of playoff football. Luke Campbell, James Waddell, and Joe Beech all return for OBU, while Pati Gaualofa returns for Tawa, they will be without Taniela Koroi who is with the Fijian side to face NZ Maori.

There’s also likely to be a bit of extra spice in this one, stemming from their Swindale Shield encounter back in April which although won 35-29 on the field by Tawa, they later had two competition points deducted for failing to comply with front row requirements.

Further east and through the tunnel Oriental-Rongotai face Wellington at the Polo Ground, who make the short journey from Hataitai. The Magpies eked out a win over a desperate Wainuiomata, and will be looking to atone for the 8-22 loss they suffered to the Axemen during the Swindale. Like Tawa, a win will guarantee them a playoff place, and they could potentially end Saturday tied at the top of the ladder; if they lose they will be nervously checking the outcome of the MSP/Petone and Wainuiomata/HOBM games – they can’t fall any lower than fourth on the ladder but could be left in a dogfight for the last place next weekend. Wellington isn’t yet eliminated from the finals picture, but simply have to win and hope that Petone does likewise. If the Villagers get a bonus point then they will need too as well. Any other outcomes and their season is done. Ories make a handful of changes, while it’s a much re-jigged Axemen side.

In between the Basin and Polo Marist St Pats welcome Petone to Evans Bay. As alluded to in the paragraphs above its this match that has a large bearing on the makeup of the semi-final field. If MSP win with a bonus point, then they will be assured a semi-final place no matter results elsewhere, and also will be if they don’t get a bonus point and either HOBM beats Wainuiomata, or Wainui win but don’t get a bonus point. For Petone its simple, win or they will miss the playoffs for the fifth successive year; the only other result that keeps them alive would be a draw with a try bonus point and Ories getting no points from their game. MSP makes one change, with Gabe Papuni in at #6 for Josh To’omaga, while James Blackwell and Sam McNicol both return for the Villagers.

Finally, there is the rematch of last year’s Jubilee Cup final between Wainuiomata and Hutt Old Boys Marist at William Jones. While the stakes couldn’t be higher than that last meeting between these two, the fact they’re playing for the mere hope of keeping their aspirations alive speaks volumes for how competitive it has been this season. Simply put, the loser is gone from contention, while the winner pretty much has to claim a bonus point as well, and hope that either (or both) of Ories and Petone have lost. Wainuiomata make a pair of changes in the pack, while HOBM will be without both James O’Reilly and Sheridan Rangihuna, with Nick Risdon making his first start of the year at halfback for the Eagles.

Hardham Cup

Johnsonville assumed the summit of the Hardham Cup table in beating Tawa B, and tomorrow travel to the Petone Rec to take on the Villagers B side, who themselves suffered a heavy loss to Poneke and were the first team eliminated as injuries take a toll on both of Petone’s squads. Barring a major upset, the Hawks will guarantee their playoff place with a win, and could also secure a home semi-final with a bonus point and if Norths lose or win without getting a bonus. They are at near to full-strength with Rob Aloe the only notable absentee.

The Upper Hutt Rams welcome Paremata-Plimmerton to Maidstone Park, and like Johnsonville will also assure themselves of a playoff place with a win; but can only claim a home semi this week if Norths lose and Avalon don’t narrow the points gap. For their part Pare-Plim simply have to win and also hope that one, or both, of Norths and Avalon also lose else their match next week against Johnsonville will be their last of the year. When these two met in the Swindale Shield at Ngatitoa the Rams prevailed 41-22.

Slightly south Avalon host Tawa B on the artificial turf at Fraser Park. After prevailing in an arm-wrestle with Pare-Plim the Wolves are another side that could lock in a semi-final place, but only if they take care of business here with a bonus point and Poneke loses; the first part of the equation they’ll fancy their chances of doing and get Ata Langilangi back with Cameron Cross at first-five for his 100th game at Premier level. They will have to be wary of the Harper Lock winners however who have claimed one Premier scalp in Pare-Plim and will be after another before the season ends, and if it’s this one they’ll remain in contention for a semi-final place.

The crunch match of the day though is the midtable clash at Kilbirnie Park between Poneke and Norths, which not so long ago would have been a key Jubilee Cup matchup. Poneke rebounded from a poor showing against Avalon to thrash Petone B at home, while Norths dipped out to the Rams at Maidstone. Much like the other sides in the current top four, Norths will very likely confirm a semi-finals place with a win along with claiming the Bill Brien Challenge Cup, a result that would leave the home side hoping for an upset at Fraser Park. If Poneke win they will stave off elimination for another week and could be well placed given they take on Tawa B, while Avalon and Norths meet at Porirua. It’s another reshuffled lineup for Norths, while Poneke have a couple of changes in each of the forward pack and backline.

Premier Reserve Ed Chaney and HD Morgan Cups

Like their Premiers OBU is the last remaining unbeaten side and top the Ed Chaney table, and tomorrow they take on HD Morgan side Johnsonville at Te Whaea. Poneke, who had their first loss last weekend to OBU, make the walk across to Evans Bay to face MSP in the only Ed Chaney match up of the day, while the only HD Morgan game is at Maidstone between home side Upper Hutt Rams and visitors Paremata-Plimmerton. The other three matches are all crossover games with HD Morgan leaders Ories hosting Wellington, HOBM venture over the hill to face Wainuiomata at Mary Crowther, and Avalon and Norths meet on Fraser Park’s artificial for the second time this year.

Premier Victoria Tavern Trophy and Senior Women’s

The fourth round of the Premier grade is highlighted by the second clash of the year between the competition heavyweights, defending champions Oriental-Rongotai and first-round Fleurs Trophy winners Norths at Te Whaea. Norths won their Fleurs meeting 34-6, but the two sides have alternated victories against each other over the past two seasons, and their only loss to a side except each other in that time was Norths’ defeat by Wainuiomata last season. With both sides chock full of talent and likely to be at full strength it should be a cracking game.

The other Premier match has also been relocated, this time to Fraser Park, where Old Boys-University return from having the bye last weekend and meet Hutt Old Boys Marist. With the bye to come next week and having lost to Avalon, HOBM needs to win and win handily with a bonus point and then hope OBU lose heavily to Ories next week if this is not to be their last match of the season; while OBU can assure themselves of a semi-final with a win. Avalon has the bye this week.

The Senior grade starts their second round-robin of matches with Poneke hosting Johnsonville at Kilbirnie Park, and leaders Wainuiomata at Redwood Park against home side Tawa.
All Women’s matches are 11.30am kickoffs

Other grades

Three teams are unbeaten after three rounds of the Under 85kg Paul Potiki Shield, though only the OBU Bunnies have played three matches; tomorrow the Bunnies visit Newlands Park to take on Johnsonville in a 2.45pm kickoff looking to maintain that. The other 2.45 pm kickoff is between two sides at the opposite end to the table, with winless sides MSP Red and Eastbourne meeting on the St Pats artificial. The other two unbeaten sides are in action at 1pm, with the Poneke Cavs travelling to the Hutt Rec to take on HOBM, while the Tawa Titans are at home at Lyndhurst against Avalon. Wellington has the bye.

Tomorrows round of the Colts Paris Memorial Trophy round has been cancelled, however one game has been scheduled with Oriental-Rongotai and OBU Green now to meet on the St Pats artificial at 4.30pm, which is a make-up game from last weeks round.

Finally, kickoff times are also split in the fourth round of the First Grade Johnsonville Centennium Cup. At 2.45pm unbeaten OBU and MSP Avele clash at Te Whaea, while Stokes Valley host Norths at Delaney Park in a clash of midtable sides. In the 1pm kickoffs MSP ‘A’ and Poneke meet on the St Pats artificial, while the Petone Saxons take on the HOBM Barbarians on the Petone Rec. The competition leading Petone Brotherhood have the weekend off after Tawa defaulted