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Chance for early frontrunners to stretch away and inaugural School Round tomorrow

Lookout for more tightly contested rugby in the third round of the Swindale Shield. Photo: Stewart Baird. 

  • By Scott MacLean 

For the Round Three Swindale Shield draw and teamlists visit: https://www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/games-results.php?competition=1&season=21&round=3 

After last week’s inclement weather things look brighter for tomorrow, and that might not be the only thing that is with it being “School Round” and players – and referees – encouraged to wear their school socks. In terms of the matches, there’s big games up and down the slate for tomorrow.

Premier Swindale Shield

With none of the four unbeatens playing each other, tomorrow represents a chance for those sides to stretch away at the head of the field.

One that will fancy their ability to do that are Hutt Old Boys Marist and having already played the sides that finished 14th and 13th last season so far, make the journey to Porirua Park to face Norths who were 12th a season ago and occupy that same spot now. While the Eagles will be warm favourites, Norths are at least progressing in the right direction and will want to defend their turf.

Norths are without Jeremiah Avei-Collins who is with the U20s. Callum Watts-Pointer shifts into lock this week and Olano Afutoto back to the blind, while Wesley Maiava starts at 10 and Reon Paul rejoins the midfield. It’s a small rejiggle for HOBM; Ben Tuiomanufili comes in at No8 so Jordan Gillies moves to the flank and Freddie Sunia to the bench, while on the left wing Fritz Rayasi comes in for Sapati Tagoai in a straight swap. It’s also a milestone match for stalwart Brandyn Laursen who plays his 150th Premier match in the red, white, and green hoops.

Old Boys-University head for their Nairnville paddock this weekend with Petone making the trek up the hills to Khandallah. The Goats made no race of their contest with Wainuiomata last weekend putting on 50 points while Petone seemed unable to get into their game in their loss to Upper Hutt and cutting down on errors would have to be a focus for them this weekend.

Both teams make a swag of changes. OBU get Kyle Preston back but restoring the partnership with Callum Harkin will have to wait a week with the latter out of country. Malo Manuao will deputise for Harkin and Tofuka Paongo has linked up with the U20s. The Villagers likewise lose Stanley Solomon to the U20s, but it’s rockstar backline they roll out with Riley Higgins and Losi Filipo in midfield and Harry Godfrey in at first-five. There’s more on the bench too with Ngane Punivai and a return to Wellington rugby for Belgium Tuatagaloa after several years overseas.

They’ll contest interclub silverware; the Marc Verhoeven Memorial Trophy. Known to many as “Alby”, Verhoeven was a Jubilee Cup winning captain with the Villagers before switching to Harlequins (as the WCOB-University merger was first known) as their inaugural Premier skipper. His death during an otherwise routine operation in Australia aged just 50 was a major shock to those in the game here. OBU hold it from their 20-13 win last season.

One surprise so far this year has been the start for Marist St Pat’s, who seem to have clicked into gear quickly with a very new-look squad and take wins over both Norths and Ories so far. They’re on Evans Bay once again with Tawa heading through the tunnels, and the latter will be buoyed after winning an arm-wrestle with Pare-Plim following a wretched first-up display against Petone.

The hosts are able to name virtually the same side for the third week in a row. Jack O’Brien’s return means that Sefo Aukustino shifts back to the wing so it’s the same lineup that started the opener against Norths and another chance to see the so far impressive halves pairing of Sam Connor and Rique Miln. Tawa has just two changes to last week’s winning combination with Neru Sheck coming in on the flank and a debut for Hopward Lote in the midfield.

The fourth unbeaten are the Upper Hutt Rams, who might not have been flashy in the opening rounds but are getting the job done so far with gritty wins over Poneke and Petone. They’re back home at the Maidstone hub tomorrow where the visitors are defending champions Oriental Rongotai, who will be smarting somewhat from having lost their first eastern suburbs derby of the year last Saturday to MSP and will want to bounce back.

Soa Fainga’a and Sio Fidow come into the Rams pack – with prop Senio Sanele called up to the NZ U20s as a replacement – while Tynan Barrett returns to the #10 jersey for the first time this year. Soli Malatai, who scored with his first touch last week after coming on at half-time gets the start this time out. Ories are able to welcome back Dominic Ropeti and Sione Halalilo after they missed last weekend with Hunters duties. Sia Taituave makes his 50 th appearance in the front row, Declan Hay steps in to run the ship at 10 in the absence of Alex Ropeti, and the imposing Herman Seumanufagai starts on the right wing.

There are two trophies on the line in this one. One is their interclub Bob Lendrum Cup named for the late Life Member of both clubs who started his time in Wellington with Ories, headed to Fiji for a while – where he coached the national side – before returning and settling in Upper Hutt. Ories won this 24-23 in a nerve-shredding final round match last year and then beat the Rams 30-27 in the playoffs in their march to the title. The other is the Bill Brien Challenge Cup which Upper Hutt took from Petone last week.

In the midtable scrum at this point are Poneke and Wainuiomata who both sport a one-win, one-loss record and they meet at Kilbirnie Park for the streetkids’ first home game of the year. They’ll be delighted by keeping the Axemen scoreless last week and could just as easily be two-from-two. Wainuiomata were put to the sword by a rampant OBU a week ago and while they have plenty of firepower cannot afford to let themselves fall behind so quickly again.

Poneke make three changes, all in the tight five with Moses Galuvao, Callum Smith, and talkative Mitchell Gough coming in, but from then on out it’s the same side as last week. Wainuiomata are boosted with the availability of Peter Umaga-Jensen who plays his 50th for the club. Tyler Tane shifts into #10. Tui Yandall and Kitiona Leitufua come into the forwards in other changes.

They too play for an interclub prize, the Hakaraia Trophy. Paul Snr played for Poneke before moving out to the valley in the 1950s and held many roles in the Wainuiomata club. His five sons all turned out for Wainuiomata with two, Paul Jr and Peter, also playing for Poneke. Put in play after Paul Sr’s passing in 2000, it also now commemorates Peter who was lost in a diving accident in 2007. Poneke retained it last year with their 34-6 win at William Jones.

Heading back out of the city and to Helston Park where Johnsonville welcomes Wellington. The Hawks have been part of two rollicking encounters so far and are showing that last year’s improvement was not just a one-off, while for the Axemen those incremental gains and a competitive outing will be the first aim.

Johnsonville make a few moves in their forward pack; Regan Herbert shifts to No8, Jake Wetere goes from prop to hooker and Lucas Aukuso, Koloa Aisake, and Sean Rankin all come in. In the backs Andy Ellis drops out so the Irish duo of Mark Sutton and Niall Delahunt are reunited in the halves. Wellington make a handful of changes, amongst them Lorenzo Lolesio is elevated to the starting side on the openside, and Charlie West returns to take the reins at first-five.

The fourth interclub trophy of the day is being played for in this one. Mick Kenny was a Johnsonville stalwart during the 1930s and like many players headed off for War. His conflict ended in Italy in 1944 where he was severely wounded. He recovered enough to return to rugby, this time with the Axemen and with two German bullets still in his body and good enough to play for NZ Maori. He was also influential in having a wartime Services trophy – the Harper Lock Shield – put in play in Wellington competitions. Johnsonville hold this after winning 52-22 at Hataitai last term.

A mention too for Campbell Barry, otherwise known as the Mayor of Lower Hutt City, who’ll make his Premier refereeing debut in this match.

Further up the road, Paremata-Plimmerton return to their Ngati Toa Domain home for the first-time this year with their record looking a little bruised after successive losses. They will be favourites against Avalon, but it could be a case of it’s getting late early in terms of their Swindale defence. The visitors have been on the receiving end of a couple of big margins already and need something if only for their own confidence going forward.

The Hammerheads switch things up a little particularly in the backs. Esi Komaisavai goes to fullback, Sam Clarke returns to the #10 jersey, Dale Sabbagh to the bench, and a first start in midfield for former Rooster, Axeman, and Goat Matt Goosen. An interesting inclusion is Hurricanes squad member Veveni Lasaqa on the openside. The Wolves are almost unchanged from the side that faced HOBM, though there is a reshuffle in the back three between Site Timu, Nathan Fa’apusa, and Ezra Sione.

It’s the regular 2.45pm kick off for all seven matches

Premier 2 Harper Lock Shield

The highlight game of the round is up in the Cage at Ian Galloway Park as unbeaten pair OBU and Petone square off at 12.25pm. Of the others, HOBM are up on the second field at Porirua Park against Norths, while Poneke are at home on Kilbirnie #2 against Wainuiomata. The remaining four matches have MSP hosting Tawa on Kilbirnie #3, the Rams welcome Ories out to Maidstone, Johnsonville and the Axemen take to Newlands Park (12.30pm) and Pare-Plim are at home at Ngati Toa against Avalon.

All kickoffs are 1pm, unless noted.

Colts Paris Memorial

The age grade once again provides the early entertainment at most venues tomorrow. As with the Premier 2s, the feature game is the one between perennial contenders OBU and Petone at Nairnville Park, while fellow unbeatens so far MSP and HOBM are at home against Tawa and away to Norths respectively. One-win sides Upper Hutt and Ories clash at Maidstone, Poneke host Wainuiomata, Pare-Plim look to open their account against Avalon at Ngati Toa, and both Johnsonville and Wellington will look to break their duck when they clash at Helston.

All seven matches are at 1pm.

Women’s Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy

The women’s round starts tonight, with the Poneke/OBU side facing the Petone juggernaut under lights at Hataitai Park at 7pm. Tomorrow sees the clash of usual heavyweights Oriental Rongotai and Norths at the Polo Ground with Paremata-Plimmerton getting their first outing at home at Ngati Toa Domain when they take on early-season surprise Wainuiomata, with both matches at 11.30am. Avalon has the bye.

Under 85kg JC Bowl

The expected suspects lead the table after two rounds, and both should be warm favourites to continue that.  At MacAlister Park, OBU takes on Petone at 12.30pm, while at Lyndhurst Park Tawa and MSP draw battle lines at 1.00pm. HOBM are also unbeaten and head south of the tunnel, facing Poneke at Kilbirnie. There’s a midtable clash as Avalon head to HW Shortt to take on Eastbourne, and Johnsonville and Wellington look to open their account when they meet at Redwood Park. Pare-Plim has the bye this week.

College

There’s a pair of early season 1st XV fixtures of note tomorrow. St Pats Town host New Plymouth Boys High at Rugby League Park while up the valley Silverstream take on Nelson College, with both matches preceded by the respective 2nd XVs in action.

At Porirua Park, there is a visiting New South Wales boys and girls U18s touring party touching down. The boys play a combined Porirua Colleges (including Tawa College) Combined Schools XV at Jerry Collins Stadium at 11.00am, while the girls play a mini-sevens tournament featuring St Mary’s College, Sacred Heart College, Combined Porirua Schools and the tourists.

Elsewhere

A couple of big clashes in the Manawatu Senior A tomorrow. Leaders College Old Boys face Feilding Yellows on one of the back fields at the Arena, while the also unbeaten Kia Toa are out at Massey to face the students. The third side yet to taste defeat are Old Boys Marist and they’re across town to take on Freyberg, while Te Kawau head out to Kimbolton to face Feilding Old Boys-Oroua. Linton Army has the bye.

There’s a top-of-the-table clash in Horowhenua-Kapiti with unbeaten pair Rahui and Foxton clashing at the Otaki Domain. There’s a Levin derby as College Old Boys and Wanderers meet at the Levin Domain, with the third match being the border war between the southern duo as Waikanae hosts Paraparaumu. Shannon has the bye.

And there’s also a meeting of the leaders in the Wairarapa as East Coast travel to Martinborough. The rest of the draw falls middle and bottom with Eketahuna hosting Carterton, Marist are at home against Greytown, and the two winless sides – Red Star and Pioneer – meet to try and get off the mark.

The Hurricanes are playing tonight, our preview below:

Aisle be Back: Hurricanes v Fijian Drua tonight

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