Clutch matches as midpoint of first round reached

Petone return home tomorrow to host Oriental-Rongotai on their Old Timers’ Day, while Northern United are back at Porirua Park to play Poneke tomorrow. 

• By Scott MacLean & Steven White

 Updated 4.00pm This Saturday marks the midpoint of the first round club rugby competitions in Wellington, and with it a series of important matches for many teams.

In the Premier Swindale Shield, Premier 2 Harper Lock Shield and Paris Memorial Trophy Colts grades, it’s a chance for the Jubilee Cup contenders to win well and set the second half of their campaigns. The first round of the Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy comes to a close with Petone presented with the first title of the year.

There are Old Timers Days’ at Paremata-Plimmerton, Tawa, and Petone tomorrow.

The feature radio commentary match is between Paremata-Plimmerton and Hutt Old Boys Marist, on air from 2.30pm at 1161AM, 87.6FM around the city, streaming on iHeart Radio and Whare Kōrero App and www.teupoko.nz.

For draws and teamlists (as received) visit http://www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/games-results.php?competition=1&season=21&round=7

Premier Swindale Shield

With the halfway mark being reached, it’s Hutt Old Boys Marist and Old Boys-University who jointly-share the lead in a congested top half of the table.

After three weeks at the Nest, the Eagles head over the Haywards to take on current Swindale holders Paremata-Plimmerton at Ngati Toa in the feature clash on the Hammerheads’ Old Timers Day. The home side battled past Poneke last Saturday to push their unbeaten run to four but need to keep winning if they want to retain the shield this year. HOBM squeaked home against Tawa a week ago and they’ll undoubtedly be expecting their resolve to get tested again here.

Home team Paremata-Plimmerton’s dangerous backline, as named, is missing Esi Komaisavai but includes Louis Northcott returning to the left wing. Both Coburns, Tony and James, are away this week, while look out for former Hurricanes prop turned No. 8 Alex Fidow and current Hurricanes flanker Veveni Lasaqa to turn it on. Loads of experience at hooker too with Leni Apisai re-donning the # jersey.

Visitors HOBM have Hurricanes loosehead prop Benet Kumeroa back after a week off, to partner a powerful front row including Harry Press and Vili Tauofaga, and with Brett Manaia coming off the bench. Halfback and captain Waylon Tuhoro-Robinson plays his blazer game, while there is a change in the midfield – as selected on Friday – with Kienan Higgins and Jordan Glen-Bradbrook out and Junior Paulo and Kobe Joe-Vulu in. Similarly, wing Fritz Rayasi has been named on the bench.

In contrast, OBU head out to the central Hutt and a meeting with winless Avalon at Fraser Park. The Goats were simply merciless against an Upper Hutt side that did not have a good day and for now have put their only loss, that second half collapse against Petone, well behind them. Despite having to find some veterans from their recent past to fill out their 22 on Saturday, the Wolves gave a good account of themselves against Johnsonville and while the win eluded them they did bag a pair bonus points, but they’ll be the heavy underdogs here. Not that that has prevented them in the past.

Visitors OBU will enjoy playing on the pristine playing surface of Fraser Park, and if they click like last week this could be a long day for the Wolves. In a notable change to their backs, first five Callum Harkin is out with a minor niggle and Malo Manuao moves from first to second five. Then NZ U20s player Fuko Paongo returns from Australia and slots into the 12 jersey. Ben Brooking is at fullback this week and will likely kick goals. The starting pack is mostly unchanged, except for Seth Brown starting at loosehead prop for Gareth Ward-Allen who rides the pine.

Halfback Ezra Sione plays his blazer game tomorrow, while player-coach Thomas Kirwara lines up at first-five once more in a side that is fielding the nucleus of the same side that pushed Johnsonville close last week. Another change sees Misi Misa who has played halfback in his last four games join the scrum at No. 8.

Petone have moved just a point behind and will be full of confidence after their evisceration of Norths. They’re back on the Rec for their Old Timers’ Day where Oriental Rongotai are the visitors, and the Magpies will be stung by their home loss to Wainuiomata and more than keen to bounce back and in turn upset the Villagers day.

In one change to Petone’s forwards from last week, Kafaongo Katoa comes into prop in place of Alapati Soke. There is no Harry Godfrey this week, so TJ Clarke moves from his usual fullback position to start at first-five. No Losi Filipo either, but Hurricanes Ngane Punivai starts at centre. Plenty of exxitement at the back still with young guns Max Hosking and Emery McGill.

A few changes to the Ories line-up from that which took the field last week. Ethan Smyth-Rangi makes his fourth appearance but first in the starting side at fullback in place of Chicago Doyle. Tuga Mativa is on the left wing for Pose Tuilaepa. In the forwards, Sammy Seau drops out and Ronaldo Seumanufagai is at openside flanker and playing his 50th match for the Magpies. Wellington Lions Sione Halalilo and Dominic Ropeti at #6 and #8 and Siaosi Lavea on the bench. Christian Semu and Ruperake Oloapu both come into the tight five.

At the head of the Hutt Valley the Upper Hutt Rams will be happy to be back at Maidstone Park after their run of three matches away from home which netted them a win, a draw, and a loss. It’s that last one that’ll bite as they were barely at the races against OBU and they’ll want to redress that outing in front of their home crowd. Fourth-placed Marist St Pat’s make the haul up, and while they continued their bright start before holding off the Axemen, there are signs that their challenge is starting creak a bit with their shallow depth already starting to be a concern. This is also a match-up that went the way of MSP for over 15 years in the modern era.

Two changes to the Rams starting pack for tomorrow. Lewis Bush has been trimmed and Cameron Dee starts at tighthead prop, while Jarden Woodward comes in to partner brother Aidan at lock. In the backs, Potene Rolls-Paewai starts at first five and Tynan Barrett at fullback with neither of the Svenson brothers playing tomorrow. Ieti Campbell starts his first match for the Rams, on the left wing.

MSP have Nick Harrison starting at lock tomorrow, with Taufaeteau Kaufononga starting at blindside flanker as well. No Jack O’Brien for this match, so Shane Thompstone lines up at centre.

Two teams that both lost, but in rather contrasting fashion, clash at Porirua Park. Norths will have spent the week wondering what hit them, as they were simply trampled by a rampant Petone, and simply being able to put together a reasonable performance might be the first goal tomorrow. On the other hand, Poneke pushed Pare-Plim the whole way, but fell on the wrong side of the sort of result they’ve usually come out on top of in recent years and will want the result here if they’re to keep their top eight hopes moving.

Home team Norths welcome back NZ U20s flaner Jeremiah Avei-Collins, who slots in at openside flanker. He joins a loose trio the includes  Callum Watts-Pointer and co-captain Luca Rees. Co-captain Olano Afatoto moves from openside to lock. Norths also have a new first-five for this clash, with Russley Parai making his debut outside halfback Jayde Burns who has played all six matches so far as a first year player out of St Pat’s Town.

Poneke have no changes to their forwards from last week, but a couple in the backs.  Ifenayi Tonu’u-Nnebechukwu replaces Caleb Robson at second five, Taine Regeling is in for Isaac Moe-Jenkins on the left wing and Suitulaga Taulogo comes in for Isiah Opei on the right wing.

Just down the road it’s a local derby at Lyndhurst Park for the main event of Tawa’s Old Timers’ Day with Johnsonville coming down the hill from Helston. Sitting in tenth, Tawa really need some wins to start heading up the table and will be gutted they didn’t quite get the job done against HOBM. Johnsonville aren’t yet the unit they were last year and will know they got pushed hard by Avalon and will be well aware they’ll need to up their game if they’re to win this one.

Halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara plays his 100^th match for the club in an unchanged backline from last week, while another vastly experienced player in Chris Middleton starts at lock in his second appearance this year and first start for five years since last playing for Norths. Ratu Roroqio drops to the bench in their only change to the forwards.

Johnsonville have Jacob Walmsley back at fullback after a week off and Best and Fairest frontrunner Mark Sutton drops back to halfback with his Irish partnership resuming with Niall Delahunt starting at first five. Some other changes to shore up their attacking pincers, including experience on the bench in Andrew Ellis.

Watch Huddy Sports’ interview with Nial Delahunt this week:

The final game is all the way out in Wainuiomata at William Jones, with Wellington making the journey over the Hill Road. Coming off one of the surprise results of the year in toppling Ories away, the locals will be warm favourites against the competition’s bottom side but the Axemen showed plenty last weekend and maybe are finally starting to turn the corner.

No Peter Umaga-Jensen or Daniel Sinkinson this week (both with the Hurricanes), but Tyler Tane and Campbell Cowie are an experienced midfield and last year’s St Bernard’s playmaker Josh Le’afa-Paki has plenty of promise and is at fullback tomorrow. Niko Patelesio is a dangerous wing looking to add to his try tally, while Teru Time slots in at lock and Matt Jacobs comes off the bench.

The Axemen have named a settled side from the one that pushed MSP last weekend. Just a tweak in the forwards, with Lucky Tuituia out and Edward Tavita Poe starting at lock in his place and Jason Aulelio starting at blindside flanker. Former MSP halfback Ken Kapeli makes his debut off the bench for the Axemen.

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It’s busy day on the interclub trophy front:

• Petone and Ories contest the Jim Brown Memorial Shield. A member of the dominant Petone sides of the 60’s and 70’s, the trophy was donated following Brown’s death in 2004 by his employer Dominion Breweries. A loyal servant of the club and Wellington representative for a decade, it is reputed that he was only denied All Blacks selection because of a broken leg suffered while playing for the Villagers but that wasn’t enough to stop him mixing concrete on club fundraisers during his recovery. Ories hold this after their one-point 30-29 win last season.
• Norths and Poneke play for their Cyril Collett Memorial Shield. Collett turned out for North’s forerunner Porirua in the 1950s, with his sons Paul and Bruce playing for Porirua and Poneke respectively. Poneke won this match 39-20 last season.
• The Carman Cup is the prize for Tawa and Johnsonville. Johnsonville sponsored Tawa’s entry into the WRFU in 1947 and Arthur Carman, then a Johnsonville member, became Tawa’s first Patron and donated the Cup in 1952. After many years locked away in Tawa’s cabinet, Johnsonville won this 27-19 last year.
• Wainuiomata and Wellington play for their Bill Jones Cup. One of Wainuiomata’s greatest supporters from their early years, their home ground also bears his name. Wainuiomata hold this from their 31-16 win early last season and will also be the fourth club already this season to defend the Bill Brien Challenge Trophy.

All matches are at their normal 2.45pm kickoff time

Women’s Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy

The first part of the season concludes tomorrow, with Petone (23) having an unassailable lead at the head of the standings. They will be looking for a perfect clean sweep when they host Oriental Rongotai (17) at the Rec, but the visitors will be looking to spoil that and leap over Wainuiomata (18), who have the bye, into second. Norths (13) make the trip into the city to face the Poneke/OBU (4) side at Kilbirnie Park, with Paremata-Plimmerton (9) at home on Ngati Toa Domain to take on Avalon (5).

All three matches are at 11.30am

Premier 2 Harper Lock Shield

Leaders OBU head out to Fraser Park to face Avalon, who’s win last week wasn’t enough to lift them off the bottom of the table. Of the Goats chasers, two meet at Ngati Toa Domain with Pare-Plim facing HOBM, with Petone and Tawa both at home against Ories and Johnsonville respectively. Poneke are up the highways at Norths, Upper Hutt and MSP take to Maidstone Park, and towards the bottom of the table Wainuiomata and Wellington are on Mary Crowther (at 12.30).

All matches are at 1pm, unless noted

Colts Paris Memorial

Now alone at the top, HOBM head to Ngati Toa for a meeting with Pare-Plim. The Upper Hutt Rams and Petone are joint-second, with the Rams at home against fourth-placed MSP and Petone hosting defending champions Ories who seem to be rounding into form. Norths host Poneke in another battle of side in the top eight, OBU will look to get on track against Avalon, and bottom-side Wainuiomata hosts Wellington. All of these matches are at 1pm.

The seventh match of the round is the first one, with Old Timers Day starting tonight at Tawa as they take on Johnsonville under the Lyndhurst lights from 7.30pm.

Under 85kg JC Bowl

Leaders Tawa continue to dominate proceedings, and the Ducks assignment tomorrow was to come against another of their feathered brethren when they host Johnsonville at Redwood Park. But in a late change, the Terrahawks have defaulted to them and both will remain groundless tomorrow.

OBU are second, and the Scallywags set sail for a meeting with third-placed Avalon, with HOBM heading across to Pare-Plim. Eastbourne return to action after the bye and host Poneke, with Petone taking on strugglers MSP at the Rec. Wellington have the bye this time around.

All five matches are 2.45pm kickoffs

College

The qualifying rounds finish tomorrow, with four sides to join Scots, Silverstream, Wellington College, Hutt International, Tawa, and Paraparaumu in this year’s Premiership. Both St Pat’s Town and Rongotai find themselves in the peculiar situation -for them- of having must-win matches to make it in; Town are at home against Porirua College, while Rongotai are away at Taita. The other two matches include Premiership incumbents with Wairarapa College at home against Naenae (update: Naenae have defaulted to Wai Coll), and St Bernard’s up against fellow Lower Hutt school Hutt Valley High.

The losers of those four matches will join the Silverstream and Wellington College 2^nd XVs in Premier 2, along with the winner of these matches where the loser will go into Premier 3. Bishop Viard is scheduled to host Kapiti, while a short distance away Aotea takes on Mana. The Rongotai 2nds are at home against Upper Hutt, with Onslow facing the Town 2nds.

Elsewhere

College Old Boys and Kia Toa will look to remain on course for an unbeaten showdown next week in their matches tomorrow in the Manawatu Senior A. COB are away in Rongotea against Te Kawau, while Kia Toa are at home against Feilding Yellows. Freyberg and Old Boys Marist should be favourites in their matches with both at home against lowly duo Linton Army and Feilding Old Boys-Oroua respectively while Massey can’t drop out of third even though they have the bye.

The second half of the season in Horowhenua-Kapiti starts tomorrow with Rahui and their perfect record holding a nine-point lead. They are at home against Waikanae, Shannon host Paraparaumu, and Levin Wanderers are away in Foxton. Second-placed Levin College Old Boys have the bye.

Wairarapa-Bush close out the first round-robin tomorrow. Carterton are at home against East Coast who’s promising start has fallen way, with fellow joint-leaders Martinborough make the long haul up to Eketahuna. Marist cross town to face luckless Red Star, and also in Masterton Pioneer host Greytown.

The Hurricanes are also playing tonight, more below:

Aisle be Back: Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika