Key Polo Ground clash In Jubilee Cup

An epic encounter between Oriental Rongotai and Northern United at the Polo ground is predicted in round two of the Jubilee Cup, where both sides will be anxious to come away from this clash with four competition points or better. Norths are eager to earn their second consecutive win in the second round while Ories are hoping to reignite their season which was previously going so well.

Ories' resurgence was a highlight of the Swindale Shield, the Miramar contenders winning five of six matches between rounds four and nine to comfortably qualify inside the top eight for the first time since 2003. But they enter this week with three straight losses - albeit twice to 2008 pace setters Marist St. Pat's - making this a key clash for them.

They meet a Norths team who warned in last week's 26-11 Jubilee Cup opening win over Hutt Old Boys Marist that they will be extremely difficult to beat over the remainder of the season. Minor injuries and absences saw Norths field an altered line up against HOBM, including former Wellington Samoans lock turned star winger Francis Seumanutafa at openside flanker. But the impending return of former New Zealand age grade flankers Serge Lilo and Dean Brunsdon and the current red-hot form of Anare Koliavu means Seumanutafa may not be required in the loose from now on. With other players still on the physio's table such as first five-eighth Rob Aloe and blindside Api Naikatini Norths look certain to present a considerable obstacle for any side wanting to win this year's Jubilee Cup.

This includes defending champions HOBM, whose season has hit the speed wobbles after leading the Swindale Shield through six rounds. Four Consecutive losses to Poneke, Petone and Norths (twice), have left the Eagles hoping for a win over Poneke at the Hutt Recreation Ground this week. HOBM were out of sorts in losing to Poneke 28-18 three weeks ago and this could be the match where they get their season back on track.

It promises to be a tight clash at Evans Bay Park between MSP and Petone, where MSP will be pressing for their 12th consecutive win this season, while both Old Boys-University and Upper Hutt will be seeking their opening Jubilee Cup wins when they meet at Maidstone Park.