Mid-table teams battling to stay in the mix in round six

Norths will be chasing a win over Petone tomorrow, while Paremata-Plimmerton are heading into town to play Poneke.

• By Scott MacLean and Steven White

It’s been a highly competitive season to date, not least in the Swindale Shield where the battle to make the ‘top 8’ and challenge for championship glory is already intensifying.

With the mid-point of the Swindale Shield fast approaching, a spotlight this weekend will be on those sides yet to fire. Victory for these teams this Saturday could make all the difference to their fortunes later in the season.

The Premier 2 and Colts competitions are similarly poised, while Petone can claim the first round women’s title with a week to spare should they win tomorrow.

It’s also the next of the WRFU themed rounds, the ‘Mothers Day’ round.

This week’s radio commentary match is between Poneke and Paremata-Plimmerton at Kilbirnie Park, On air from 2.00pm at 1161AM or 87.6FM and streaming iHeart Radio and Whare Kōrero Apps and online at www.teupoko.nz.

 Draws & Lineups (as received) can be viewed here: http://www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/games-results.php?competition=1&season=21&round=6

Premier Swindale Shield

Five rounds down, and Old Boys-University and Hutt Old Boys Marist jointly hold the lead on 21 points, one ahead of both Petone and Oriental Rongotai and two ahead of Marist St Pats in one of the more congested tables we’ve seen in a while.

It’s with Old Boys-University we start, and their roaming existence this weekend takes them back to Rugby League Park after two well-earned victories against HOBM and Tawa. Their opponents this week are the Upper Hutt Rams, making this the battle of the cloven-hooved quadrupeds, and they’ll be looking to repeat their successful foray into the city of last weekend when they were too good for Wellington.

Old Boys University will be a tough nut for the Rams to crack with the team they have put out today. Halfback Kyle Preston has reportedly been training with the Crusaders this week, and his combination with first-five Callum Harkin is one of the most dangerous in the competition. With other players such as Malo Manuao at second five and Harry Irving at blindside flanker they are full of enterprise. Captain and hooker Louie Calvert and replacement fullback Jermaine Pepe have both been selected in the NZ Universities team this week for their upcoming tour to Japan.

The Rams will go into this contest with an unchanged forward pack from that which defeated Wellington last Saturday. In changes to the backs, Tynan Barrett comes back into first-five in place of Potene Rolls-Paewai, Scott Svenson moves to fullback for his absent brother Todd and Soli Malatai returns from injury to the left wing. Ieti Campell returns from injury sustained last August playing for Scots College to take his place on the bench for the first time.

Hutt Old Boys Marist get to enjoy their Nest for another week, with Tawa making the journey and facing the challenge of playing the two frontrunners back-to-back. The Eagles rebounded from their first loss of the year against OBU two weeks ago to start fast and finish strong against MSP but won’t be totally happy with how they let them back into the game. Currently in tenth, the visitors have shown enough so far to suggest they’ll fight their way into the top eight and taking the win here will be a massive boost for them.

The Eagles welcome back loosehead prop Jason Hoffman and hooker Harry Press, both missing last week, in place of Hurricane prop Benet Kumeroa. Last week’s all-action hooker Freddie Sunia starts off the bench, and if that isn’t enough for Tawa, Hurricane James O’Reily also joins HOBM’s bench tomorrow. In one change to the backs, Sapati Tagoai starts at right wing for Kobe Joe-Vulu.

Tawa welcome back Kemara Hauiti-Parapara to their starting team at halfback, back from a stint at the Highlanders. His presence will make a big difference. But Tawa appears to continue to have injury struggles in the forwards, and have also brought in veteran former Norths lock Chris Middleton to their reserves. Wellington Lion Akira Ieremia returns to the side at lock and Hemi Fermanis moves to openside flanker. There is no Siale Lauaki either this week.

The only game in the Western Bays is at Jerry Collins Stadium, where Norths are back home to face Petone. The Villagers are flying high, and that loss to Upper Hutt seems more like a blip than anything else but given how they’ve started in the two matches where they’ve had their Hurricanes contingent you might wonder if that’s more of a hindrance than a help. Norths might sit down in 12^th and with only a win over the Axemen on their account, but the signs are there that with consistent selections their form is on the improve.

Home side Norths have a boost in their loose forwards with Hurricane TK Howden lining up at blindside flanker. Howden’s home club is Feilding Yellows, but he joins a famous list of names to have worn the #6 jersey for Norths. From last week’s starting XV, Callum Watts-Pointer comes off the bench, while La’i Masau starts in the midfield with Jonny Teleaga, in place of Denny Lauvi.

Petone have Harry Godfrey at first five and former Norths player Losi Filipo from the Hurricanes, while others such as right wing Max Hosking and fullback TJ Clarke will relish playing on Porirua Park. Logan Henry starts at halfback for his 96^th match for Petone. In the forwards, Alapati Soke for Isikeli Fukofuka at tighthead prop is the only chage from the side that put 60 points on Wainuiomata last Saturday.

In contrast to other weeks, this is the only match with an interclub trophy in play. Murray Henderson was amongst those central to merger of the Porirua and Titahi Bay clubs, a great friend to many at Petone, and who’s work saw him anointed with Life Membership of the WRFU. First played for in 2016, Petone are the holders from their 41-3 win on Opening Day last year. In addition, the Collins Medal – honouring late cousins Jerry and Willie – will be presented to the Player of the Match.

It will be a busy day out in the eastern suburbs with three matches on. Furtherest east in the Polo Ground, where Wainuiomata make the long trek around the harbour to face Oriental Rongotai. The visitors have shown plenty over the past month to indicate that they’re starting to move forward once again but will feel that the final margin last Saturday flattered Petone unreasonably. The Magpies seem to have just picked up from where they successfully signed off last year with their win over Johnsonville evidence of that, and perhaps just maybe this is the year they finally get their name on the Swindale Shield. But firstly though, there’s this match and retaining the Bill Brien Challenge Trophy to deal with.

Ories have selected a settled team from that which took down Johnsonville last week. In one notable change to the backline, Wellington Lion Chicago Doyle starts at fullback and Wellington U19 Daniel Tafili is at centre in place of Alex Ropeti. In the forwards, Connor Lemon comes into loosehead prop and Malachi Tia to lock.

Visitors Wainuiomata have Peter Umaga-Jensen again at second-five, who partners the returning Campbell Cowie in the midfield. Hurricane Daniel Sinkinson will make his debut for Wainuiomata at fullback after appearing once for Avalon last season. Renata Kotuhi lines up on the left wing while Kade Tiatia plays hooker in place of Dion Lealofi.

Back through the cutting and past the airport, Marist St Pat’s are back at Evans Bay to contemplate matters after losing their unbeaten record at the Hutt Rec last weekend. Their match tomorrow pits them against Wellington who will be full of some familiar faces and also with a point to prove after they fell short of their prior week’s performance in a heavy loss to the Rams.

MSP have made a handful of changes only to the team that missed out the Eagles last start, including two changes to the pack that see former Counties Manukau player Villiame Raraesa and Wellington Lion Keelan Whitman both absent. Colts player Ben Higgs comes into lock and Taufa Kaufononga makes his starting debut at No. 8.

The Axemen welcome back Portuguese international Antonio Prim to tighthead prop after a missing last weekend due to a training mishap. They will look to find their fortune with former MSP player Lucky Tuiatua making his first start for them at lock. Another recent MSP joining the Axemen this week against his old side is Willie Schutz.

On the other side of Evans Bay Parade, Poneke return to Kilbirnie Park after their successful foray into the Hutt against Avalon, but unlike their great rivals across the road they face a more difficult task in Swindale holders Paremata-Plimmerton, who seem to have shaken off their early-season malaise with emphatic wins over Avalon and Norths in recent weeks and are certainly keen to retain that crown. Poneke perhaps outlasted more than they outplayed the Wolves but will back themselves to raise their game to meet the challenge.

Poneke have made four changes to their starting XV from their side last week, including the return of impending club centurion Andrew Jones to hooker. He is joined by Noah Tuifao-Galuvao at tighthead, Jacob Turrell and openside flanker and Isaiah Opai on the right wing.

For Paremata-Plimmerton, usual left wing Louis Northcott is away this week, and right wing Te Manawa Staples-Rei is also absent. Their spots tomorrow will be filled by William Teleaga and last year’s Poneke player Sam Meo respectively. Amongst other tweaks to their line-up, Alex Fidow and Tony Coburn drop to the pine and their places are taken by Luke Omeri at No. 8 and Leni Apisai at hooker.

The final match of this preview is out in the Hutt, where Avalon will once again look to get off the mark when they welcome Johnsonville to Fraser Park. The Wolves had much of the running last Saturday against Poneke, but despite their huffing and puffing they couldn’t blow the door in. Johnsonville haven’t quite hit the notes they did last year yet, but if their dangerous backline gets enough ball and space it could be another long afternoon for the hosts.

The Wolves have three experienced players in their 22 for the first time this year. Coach Thomas Kiwara starts at first five, while Akuila Alatini and Ben Peni have both been named on the bench.

Johnsonville have made five changes to their starting XV from last week, including three in the backs, and a starting debut to halfback Harry Reihana-Campbell. Mark Sutton starts his second straight match in the #10 jersey, but from last week there is Andy Ellis, Aukuso Tuitama or Jacob Walmsley. Amongst these changes, Jack Taulapapa moves from halfback to fullback and Seamus Rowberry starts at second five after playing twice at openisde flanker earlier in the competition. Olly Paotonu and Nial Delahunt are also two backs missing. In the forwards, flanker Tyler Hall captains a mostly same pack except for Dylan Selkirk coming in for Josh Betham.

All seven matches are at the regular 2.45pm start time.

Colts Paris Memorial Trophy

It’s a case of who blinks first at the head of the age-grade standings with HOBM and Poneke neck-and-neck and their meeting not to come for a few more weeks. Both face mid-table opposition tomorrow with the Eagles at home against Tawa and the Villagers on the road to take on Norths at Porirua Park. Behind them the Upper Hutt Rams can make a statement and keep the pressure on when they face OBU at Rugby League Park with MSP at home to Wellington. Poneke faces Pare-Plim, Ories host bottom-placed Wainuiomata, and Avalon and Johnsonville are on Fraser Park.

All seven matches are timed for 1pm

Premier 2 Harper Lock Shield

OBU have their neck in front at this stage, and their assignment tomorrow has them at MacAlister Park to take on the Upper Hutt Rams. HOBM are a point behind and will face a sterner challenge than what MSP gave them last week when they face defending champions Tawa on the Hutt Rec. Poneke are third and face sixth-placed Pare-Plim, with Petone out in Porirua against Norths. The remaining matches are all down the table with winless Avalon hosting Johnsonville, Ories likewise with Wainuiomata, and MSP will look to rebound from their shellacking when they face Wellington on Kilbirnie #3.

All matches are at 1pm.

Women’s Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy

After sharing this trophy last year, Petone (20) can claim it for themselves alone in tomorrow’s penultimate round as a win over Avalon (5) at home on the Petone Rec will mean that Wainuiomata (18) cannot catch them even if they were to beat Norths (9) at Porirua Park, as the side from William Jones have the bye next week. Oriental Rongotai (12) will look to rebound from last week’s lost to Pare-Plim when they host the Poneke-OBU (3) side in the city derby, while it’s Paremata-Plimmerton’s (9) turn to have the weekend off with the bye.

Leaders Petone will be led on the field by such players as Jackie Patea-Fereti at No. 8, Milly Mackey at halfback and Drenna Falaniko at centre, while in-form Lavinia Lea and Hurricanes wing Harmony Kautai both start off the bench.

All three matches are 11.30am starts.

Under 85kg JC Bowl

Fresh off having assumed the sole lead, the Tawa Ducks take flight to the Hutt Rec tomorrow and a meeting with third-placed HOBM. The Scallywags from OBU will want to get back to winning ways and their assignment is at Kilbirnie Park against Poneke, with Avalon now in fourth and away against Johnsonville at Helston. Petone return from a couple of weeks off and face Pare-Plim at Ngati Toa (note this match has been brought forward to 1.00pm), while there’s a second city scrap on Kilbirnie Park as bottom-side MSP take on Wellington. Eastbourne get to rest up with the bye.

All other matches are at 2.45pm

College

The Tranzit Festival moves to Gisborne tomorrow for the first time in many years. Silverstream faces the hosts after beating Napier last week, who in turn are Wellington College’s opposition this time. The third team in action are Hutt International who face the challenge of taking on Palmerston North Boys.

Locally, the first two teams to earn their place in the Premiership to join those three and Scots will be found tomorrow as Paraparaumu – surprising winners over Wairarapa last Saturday – hosts Rongotai and Tawa are at home to St Pats Town. The winners get next week off, while the other two get another chance next week.

For the other 12 sides, their hopes of making the Premiership rest on winning tomorrow. Of last year’s Premiership sides, Wairarapa are at Upper Hutt, Mana host Naenae, and St Bernard’s are up at Kapiti College, but each would be expected to win those based on results last weekend. Two other matches have Aotea at home against neighbours Porirua and Hutt Valley HS welcome Onslow to Lower Hutt, while the last has already been called with an illness-stricken Bishop Viard having to default to Taita.

Beard Trophy wrap: Tawa College successfully defended the Beard Trophy with a resounding 52-0 whitewash of Porirua College at Lyndhurst Park on Wednesday.

Tawa was never seriously threatened by a Porirua side that wasn’t short of commitment but struggled when outflanked. Tawa played at a brisk pace with their forwards efficient rather than frightening.

A consistent supply of possession allowed first-five Eden Govind and midfielders Cliff Hunt Jr and Malachi Osman to dictate terms. Govind was particularly impressive with his sweeping and precise passes opening up several holes and illustrating a command of a skill that executed at speed and under pressure is the difference between an average player and a good player. Govid scored the third try of the first half when he stepped off the left foot multiple times to sail clear. Six conversions (including two sideline successes) capped a commanding afternoon. Hunt Jr and Osman also found their way onto the scoresheet and created plenty with the space provided by Govid. Hunt Jr wears distinctive head hear and is the son of the coach. Tries to both wingers Labront Muldruck-Tolai and Lucas Jones underscored the expansive Tawa approach.

Pick of the forwards were hooker Malachi Suniula who barged over for a try and tigerish flanker Ollie Smith. Porirua openside Taniela Tuangalu has prospects of real growth.

Elsewhere

Joint-leaders College Old Boys and Kia Toa will both be favourites for their Manawatu Senior A matches tomorrow. COB face city rivals Old Boys Marist at the Arena with Kia Toa out at Rongotea against Te Kawau. Massey are three points behind but have had the bye, and they’re at Linton, and Feilding Old Boys-Oroua go looking to break their duck when they get a rare home game at Johnston Park against Freyberg. Feilding Yellows have this week’s bye.

A chance for the field to make up some ground on Rahui in the Horowhenua-Kapiti competition with the Otaki juggernaut having the bye to finish the first round-robin. Second meets third when Levin College Old Boys host Shannon at the Domain, Waikanae are at home against Foxton, and Paraparaumu likewise against Levin Wanderers.

And in Wairarapa-Bush Martinborough’s loss last week has closed the table up, and they’ll want to rebound when they head to Masterton and bottom-side Red Star. Completing a busy day in the town Marist are visited by Eketahuna, and Pioneer hosts East Coast. The only match elsewhere is in Greytown in the SH2 derby against Carterton.

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