Crunch time in club rugby as business end of the first round comes into focus

Both Wainuiomata and Northern United are Hardham Cup-bound, but both can affect other team’s Jubilee Cup aspirations over the final three weeks of the first round. Wainuiomata play Avalon tomorrow and Norths meet Johnsonville. Photo: T-Paul Gale.

• By Scott MacLean

Draws & Teamlists (as received) HERE 

It’s very much business time at the sharp end with a critical round of matches across the grades with plenty of big matches. The day is very much focused on the Hutt Rec and the series of matches between Hutt Old Boys Marist and Petone culminating in the McBain Shield, but there are also big games in Premier 2, Premier Women’s, Colts, and Under 85s.

There’s also Old Timers’ Day festivities at both Avalon and Wellington.

This week’s radio commentary match comes from the aforementioned Hutt Rec, where HOBM hosts Petone for the McBain Shield, with Gordon Noble-Campbell, Eugene Smith, Andy Leslie and Nick Risdon in a bumper commentary crew. On air from 2:00pm ahead of a 2:45 kick-off. Tune in Te Upoko o Te Ika 87.6FM around the city, 1161AM and streaming Whare Korero and iHeart Radio.

Premier Swindale Shield

As we do every year at this time, we look at the remaining schedule for each team. Most of the leading contenders still face a tough game or two in the last three rounds, and how they navigate those could determine how they go in the weeks that follow.

Paremata-Plimmerton: 1st on 45 points
To play: Wellington (A), Petone (H), OBU (A)

First things first. The Hammerheads have already ensured that they’ll be playing a Jubilee Cup match for the first time in their history, and a win tomorrow against lowly Wellington could secure them one of those precious top-four places. They’ll be firmly focused on one game at a time, but they’ll be aware of those next two matches on the horizon that stand between them and the most unlikely Swindale triumph of the last 25 years.

They’re taking the chance to rest standouts Esi Komaisavai, Louis Northcott, and Joe Faleafaga but it’s still a strong team. James Coburn, Tony Coburn, and Dale Sabbagh all start against a club that they’ve turned out for with veteran Peni Taupau starting at No. 8 and Luke Kapene at halfback. Blake Neve lines up on the right wing for his 100^th Premier outing and 222^nd first-team appearance.

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Old Boys-University: 2nd on 44 points
To play: Ories (H), Upper Hutt (A), Pare-Plim (H)

Like Pare-Plim, OBU are already certain of a Jubilee Cup playoff, but they too want bigger and better. As it stands they also control their own destiny but face a more difficult run-in than their rivals, starting with Ories tomorrow. A loss tomorrow isn’t exactly fatal to their Swindale hopes but could leave them needing help from Petone let alone having to get past Upper Hutt at Maidstone next week themselves.

Callum Harkin returns to the starting side with Tom Henderson, who deputised for OBU’s star man in recent weeks dropping back to fullback. Up front Cameron Jackson comes in, shuffling Connor Chatfield and Dougal Perrers amongst the loose forwards. The Goats will look different tomorrow as well, wearing a one-off jersey that pays tribute to club legend Dave “Trapper” Loveridge. It’s in the maroon colours of Taranaki’s Inglewood club, who granted Loveridge Life Membership earlier this year.

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Upper Hutt Rams: 3rd= on 38 points
To play: MSP (A), OBU (H), Ories (A)

The Rams narrow loss to Johnsonville put a very large dent in their aspirations and took things out of their own hands; they can still win the Swindale but will need help from elsewhere to do it but if they do – and considering that they have two trips into the eastern suburbs to make – they’ll have earned it. Compounding matters is that they aren’t yet safely inside the top eight themselves, but a win tomorrow at Evans Bay will ensure that.

Their side tomorrow sees Sio Fidow come into openside for Jack Wright who drops to the bench with Scott Svenson switching to fullback and Hokianga Morunga coming in for Zyrus Grace. But there’s a notable absentee up front Senio Sanele absent with his place taken by Soa Fainga’a.

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Petone: 3rd= on 38 points
To play: HOBM (A), Pare-Plim (A), MSP (A)

The current holders face easily the toughest run-in of any of the contenders with all three matches away from home – four if you count last week’s relocated one as well – and retaining the Swindale from here would be one of the all-time late runs. The McBain tomorrow is the more immediate focus; a win keeps them moving on while a loss could see them dragged towards the desperate sides lower down.

Unsurprisingly, with the exception of Peter Lakai on NZ U20s duty, the Villagers have named their strongest possible side with nine changes to the side that beat Wellington comfortably last week. It’s an imposing backline with Riley Higgins and Losi Filipo in midfield and Lester Maulolo and Stanley Solomon on the wings, while there’s an enormous amount of experience in the forward pack.

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Johnsonville: 5th on 36 points
To play: Norths (A), Avalon (H), Wainuiomata (A)

Of all the leading sides, the Hawks have the most favourable run-in with each of their remaining matches coming against teams destined for the Hardham section. The Swindale is likely beyond reach now but those top-four places are not, and that’s probably their immediate goal over the next three Saturdays.

They make a handful of changes tomorrow. Adney Roebeck and Tayne Laird-Mahu come into their forward pack with Regan Herbert dropping to the bench, while Mark Sutton starts at first-five tomorrow with Morgan Williams getting the #9 jersey. One other switch sees Andrew Ellis start in midfield with Olly Paotonu in reserse on the bench.

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Hutt Old Boys Marist: 6th= on 31 points
To play: Petone (H), Norths (H), Avalon (H)

The drawmasters have been kind to the Eagles who – in total contrast to their rivals across the river – have all their remaining games at home at their Hutt Rec Nest. And further to that, after they get the McBain this weekend out of the way they have two of the sides headed for the Hardham to play. Two wins should be enough to put themselves inside the top eight, but three could mean one of those top-four spots.

As you’d expect, they too have named a strong side that has plenty in reserve. Freddie Sunia and Nonu Tuia get the nod to start up front with Ben Power and Rei Manaia in reserve. In the backs Kobe-Joe Vulu returns to partner Brandyn Laursen in midfield with Sapati Togoai moving to the wing. Harrison Boyle is also named on the bench.

It's the #McBainShield this weekend. A flashback to 2017 when Losi Filipo scored this try in @PetoneRugby 's 49-31 win over @HOBMEAGLES pic.twitter.com/6sm499tBqp

— ClubRugby (@ClubRugby) June 8, 2023

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Oriental Rongotai: 6^th= on 31 points
To play: OBU (A), Poneke (H), Upper Hutt Rams (H)

It’s been tough to get a read on Ories this year; not just alternating wins and losses but patches of sublime rugby with some terrible stuff. If they can find their good side long enough, they should make it through but if they drop two of what they have left – even with the last two being back at Polo – they could be the side left outside looking in.

Their team for tomorrow is still subject to change, but their big addition is the return of Dom Ropeti who will face the team he captained last year. Grayson Whitman also returns to the lineup and how he matches wits with Callum Harkin could be a deciding factor. Sammy Seau and Sione Halalilo offer options from the bench.

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Marist St Pat’s: 8th on 29 points
To play: Upper Hutt Rams (H), Wainuiomata (A), Petone (H)

In terms of home/away the draw looks favourable for MSP, but who they must play in those is not. A loss tomorrow to the Rams makes the spectre of missing out very real but a win makes the passage to a week one Jubilee playoff a lot more open.

They make just two changes from last weeks starting XV. Viliame Rarasea starts at lock, and on the blindside is John Tuia who made the switch from Ories last week. The backline axis of veterans Andrew Wells and Isaia Petelo and budding star Jack O’Brien remains intact.

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Tawa: 9th on 27 points
To play: Poneke (H), Wellington (A), Norths (H)

The bad news for Tawa is that Saturday’s loss dropped them into that dreaded ninth spot. The good news is their remaining matches are all against sides below them on the ladder. They’ll be favourite in each of those, and three wins should be plenty, but dropping any of those games could leave them sitting exactly where they are now.

Tawa get three influential members of their side back in prop PJ Sheck, lock and captain Hugo Plummer, and midfield back Tofuka Paongo, with a minor reshuffle putting Hemi Fermanis on the blindside flank this week.

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Poneke: 10th on 17 points
To play: Tawa (A), Ories (A), Wellington (H)

Poneke’s hopes are almost threadbare, but we’ve included them here because a win at Lyndhurst tomorrow will keep them afloat for another week. If they don’t, their drop to the Hardham playoffs will be confirmed.

There are just two changes to their side. Up front Jacob Turrell and Mitchell Gough swap roles while Nick Robertson returns to the side at fullback. Young guns Sam Howling and Carlos Hihi are again the halves combination with Ezekiel Fiso to again lead the side.

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For Wainuiomata (14), Norths (13), Avalon (8), and Wellington (0) their fate is confirmed and that’s the Hardham Cup section of the playoffs. But that isn’t the end for now as they still will want to avoid meeting the teams that drop down after the first week in week two.

Wainuiomata and Avalon meet tomorrow at Fraser Park in what shapes as an important game for each; the hosts to get that winning feeling back and the visitors to keep it going. Avalon have re-jigged their backline, including Jordan Aquila moving to centre for Site Timu and Tobi Oliver coming back into the starting XV at first five. In the forwards, Neyla Masima comes back into lock after missing last week. Wainuiomata have largely stuck with the same side that beat Norths. They’re without Peter Umaga-Jensen though with Mikade Fono slotting in at centre, while Zamian-Ray Blake is the only addition to their forwards. Avalon have re-jigged their backline, including Jordan Aquila moving to centre for Site Timu and Tobi Oliver coming back into the starting XV at first five. In the forwards, Neyla Masima comes back into lock after missing last week.

And finally, Wellington get back a bunch of players who were missing last week. Amongst the noteworthy ones are veteran prop Joe Reid with Cameron Roseingrave moving to hooker, Matt Day, and Jeff Makepelu as they look to produce the upset of the year.

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As well as the Bill Brien, there are four interclub trophies in play tomorrow:

• The oldest and most famous of them all in the McBain Trophy, the cherished prize of the clash between HOBM and Petone. Donated in 1934 by Hec McBain in honour of his recently passed father Alexander who was a titan of the game in Wellington in the 25 years prior, it was won in that first encounter 6-5 by Hutt in front a reputed crowd of 4000 spectators. Petone hold it after last year’s thrilling 27-20 win where we all know how it ended – Laursen, Sopoaga, Blackburn.
• One of the more recent additions is the Kevin Carmichael Cup, contested by Tawa and Poneke. Carmichael started out his playing career with Tawa, then moved to Poneke to play at the top-level and played 118 games there before returning to Tawa and adding 120 more and is now a Life Member of the Tawa club. Tawa holds it after their 29-21 last season.
• Avalon and Wainuiomata will contest their Anthony Waldrom Trophy. One of the more recent additions to the list of trophies, Waldrom snr was a first-five for Wainuiomata in his playing days though his sons Thomas and Scott made their names in Wellington club rugby in the maroon and blue of Avalon. The Wolves are the holders following their 29-25 win last year.
• Norths and Johnsonville play for their Barlow Trophy. Bert Barlow was an outside back for Johnsonville who later moved north to Titahi Bay where he had a long association as a player, coach, club captain, and President. Norths hold it after their 26-20 win early last season.

For completeness as we reach this point of the season, a reminder of the WRFU’s tiebreaker rules as amended earlier this year:

• If there is a tie for the Swindale, it is shared
• In the event two teams are tied on the same number of points, their seeding for the playoffs is determined by their head-to-head result. If that match was a draw (e.g. MSP and Johnsonville) then points-difference is used, then most points scored
• In the event three or more teams are tied the order is most wins, then points difference, and then points scored.

All seven matches are at 2.45pm as usual.

Premier 2 Harper Lock Shield

There’s little doubt what the match of the day in the second tier is tomorrow as leaders Tawa (46) put their now 44-game unbeaten streak on the line against second-equal Poneke (44) at Lyndhurst. Petone (also 44) will await the result of that but themselves face fourth-placed HOBM (35) at the Hutt Rec, while its sixth against fifth at Evans Bay between MSP (30) and Upper Hutt (32). Ories (28) will look to make ground when they head to Rugby League Park to take on OBU (22) as will Norths (21) when they welcome Johnsonville (5) to Porirua Park. Wainuiomata (8) will look to add to last week’s win when they face winless Avalon (3) at Fraser Park, while its eighth vs ninth at Delaney Park in the only late game with Stokes Valley (27) taking on Pare-Plim (22).

Premier Women Tia Paasi Memorial and Izzy Ford Cup

It’s crunch time in the Women’s grade with the final round of matches in each division, and with no semi-finals this year and the top two in each proceeding to a straight final decider next week the season will end for four sides tomorrow.

In the Tia Paasi Memorial Marist St Pat’s (10) are already through to that decider, and they’ll warm up for it by taking on Norths (2) at Evans Bay with the defending champions already eliminated. The other match is a virtual semi-final however with Petone (6) facing Oriental-Rongotai (5) at William Jones Park [relocated from the Petone Rec] for the right to take on MSP next week, with Ories halfback Rejieli Uluinayau playing her 150th game for the Magpies and the Villagers bolstered by returns for outside back Davina Lasina and prop Angel Uila.

It’s a slightly different look in the Izzy Ford Cup. The combined HOBM/Wainuiomata side (10) are already through, but who’ll they face could be a little more complicated. Paremata-Plimmerton (7) hosts HOBM/Wainui at Ngati Toa Domain and a win, or even two competition points, will see them through to a re-match next week. But if they don’t get that, then Poneke (3) could sneak through if they beat already-eliminated Avalon (2), in which case the tiebreaker rules might get an airing to sort things out.

Colts Paris Memorial

The Colts grade once again kicks off the weekend with two matches under the lights. In the city Poneke (12) and Tawa (20) clash at Rugby League Park and Norths (17*) and Ories (20) meet on the Ascot Park artificial in Porirua, with both matches underway at 7.30pm.

Tomorrow sees the Upper Hutt Rams (23*) clash with MSP (17) at Maidstone with Wellington (0) and OBU (16) taking to Hataitai Park, but the focus will be on the Hutt Rec where HOBM (33*) and Petone (28) – both unbeaten and the two protagonists from last year’s final – clash in their version of the McBain and fitting the occasion, have been given the early billing on the main ground over the Premier 2 clash. Both matches are 1pm kickoffs with bottom-side Wainuiomata having the bye this week.

*indicates team is yet to have the bye.

Under 85kg JC Bowl

Unfortunately, a couple of defaults in the 85’s grade with Wests (1) and Eastbourne (9) unable to front against leaders OBU (40) and Stokes Valley (22) respectively. In the games that are being played, the feature clash is at Redwood Park, where third-placed Tawa (35) and second-placed Poneke (36) clash. Petone (24) have moved into fourth and face HOBM (17) at the Hutt Rec (at 1pm) in the lightweight McBain, and Johnsonville (20) are at Kilbirnie Park to face MSP (7).

The last match of the round has Wellington (10) and Pare-Plim (19) meeting at MacAlister Park where they will play this year – in lieu of Pare-Plim not having a Colts team in 2023 – for the Daniel Baldwin Memorial Trophy, commemorating the young man tragically lost after being injured in a Colts match between the two clubs a few years ago.

Unless stated, all matches are at 2.45pm.

College

It’s an almost full Saturday round in both the Premiership and Premier 2 grades. In the Premiership Wellington College head over the Remutaka’s to Masterton for a meeting with Wairarapa College at 1pm where the home side will fancy their chances and off the back of a 19-5 win over Tawa on Wednesday. Back over this side of the hill there’s an intriguing clash between unbeaten pair Silverstream and Hutt International at the CIS campus while the third unbeaten, Scots, are at home against a struggling Rongotai, and St Bernard’s might fancy an upset themselves when they meet St Pats Town at Kilbirnie Park (owing to the complete closure of their own field), with all three matches at 2.30pm. Mana and Tawa were scheduled to meet in the fifth match of the day, but as Mana defended the Beard Trophy on Wednesday over Porirua 24-0 and this is the last match of those challenges, it has been deferred until June 28^th.

In Premier 2 the early leaders are the Silverstream 2nds and Paraparaumu College. Tomorrow Silverstream are at home against Aotea at 1pm, while Paraparaumu can be found at Porirua College at 2.30pm. Also at the latter time are Bishop Viard hosting Newlands, while the 1pm time slot also sees Naenae welcome the Town 2nds. The fifth match has an earlier-than-usual start with Hutt Valley HS welcoming the Wellington College 2nds at 11.30am.

The Premiership returns on Wednesday with Wellington College hosting Silverstream in their Traditional clash, while the second Co-ed Cup semi-final is on between Hutt Valley HS and Tawa.

College Rugby Premiership Draws & Results HERE