Many teams in the mix in round six as interest rises in other grades and college games

Poneke halfback Mike Brown surveys his options last week against Avalon. Poneke are back home to play Paremata-Plimmerton in round six, while Avalon welcome Johnsonville on to Fraser Park. Photo: Hugh Pretorius.

• By Scott MacLean 

UPDATED Friday evening. As the Swindale Shield nears its halfway mark, there are a number of teams with plenty to play for this Saturday, in their push for title glory and for higher positions. This situation is mirrored in all other grades with some tight races developing, while its the second weekend of grading matches in college rugby for many teams.

The Swindale Shield points table is here: https://stats.clubrugby.nz/table/2026-swindale-shield/ 

The weather forecast is looking agreeable for the Wellington region and is here: https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/hourly-table/2-2179537/New%20Zealand/Wellington%20Region/Wellington%20City/Wellington?i=1 

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Draws & Results – visit https://stats.clubrugby.nz/ for these. Click on a fixture for teamlists and match details. Teamlists as received and subject to change.

Radio commentary  – online at teupoko.co.nz or by tuning into 87.5FM or 1161AM is Hutt Old Boys Marist v Tawa from Old Timers’ Day at the Hutt Rec, with Gordon Noble-Campbell and Doug Power on the mike.

Tipping Competition – Visit https://www.faceyoursfears.com/games/WGTN2026/join   To make your picks. Round three is yet to be closed off pending the Paremata-Plimmerton v Avalon contest which is being played this coming Wednesday 13 May. The situation with this game as far are as the competition goes is that picks for this match made at the time stand as they were and points will be added to players’ tallies after it is played. This is not ideal, but it is the same for everybody.

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Premier Swindale Shield

After suffering their first loss of the campaign last Saturday, leaders Old Boys-University will be keen to resume winning ways when they face the Upper Hutt Rams at Nairnville. The Goats depth – particularly up front – is already being tested and it will be seen how they weather that. No issues in that department for the Rams, who sit in sixth after last weekend’s hard-fought win over Wellington. They will back themselves, but equally know they’ll have to be better again here.

OBU captain Geordie Bean reverts to hooker this week with Ethan Pule at tighthead. Other changes have Kauri Quin back in the loose trio with Mitchell Shields heading to the bench, and Calum Koebergh lining up at centre. The Rams go with an unchanged starting pack, but the interesting selection is Josh Mallon doing a “reverse Fa’ainganuku” and lining up on the left wing, and Todd Svenson partners Ieti Campbell in midfield.

On paper, the Match of the Day however is the contest at the Hutt Rec. After atoning for their first-up stinker again OBU by outgunning MSP, Hutt Old Boys Marist will be looking to come away with a significant win on their Old Timers Day. The visitors though are Tawa, who will be looking to extract a measure of revenge for last July’s Jubilee Cup final defeat and who will be full of confidence having knocked off OBU last round and have put that round one disaster against Petone firmly behind them.

Noah Krijnen and Wellington rep Vili Tauofaga tag in up front for the Eagles with Junior Tefoto to partner Filo Paulo in the second row. Their sole backline change has Flynn Ruscoe returning at fullback, pushing Phelan Rona to the wing. The news on the Tawa side revolves around the absence of Hemi Fermanis and the choice of Cullen Dexter at halfback over Kemara Hauiti-Parapara. Matolu Petaia and TJ Fermanis are the locks with Luke Bidois given the nod on the openside. Luke Cummings and Nigel Hunt continue in midfield with Jacob Denyer returning on the left wing.

Petone hit the road again this week, charting a course for Porirua Park and a contest with Norths. This match won’t be on the main field however, with the teams shunted up to the #2 ground owing the Phoenix Women’s semi-final match on Sunday. Petone arrived after a rampant outing over in Wainuiomata, while Norths fell to a fourth defeat in five but could take some solace in how difficult they made it for Pare-Plim; they’ll need a stiff defensive effort here.

Petone have switched things up. Alapati Soke, Conley Alexander, Kitiona Talaepa, and Kingston Hill all come into their starting pack. Jordan-Glen Bradbrook tags in at centre and the versatile Tom Carter is on the right wing. Cam Ferreira, Rory Woollett, and Lester Maulolo represent a solid set of back replacements. Tane Landon-Lane at lock is the only identifiable change on the Norths pack, while James Pese and Cordeius Faraimo-Selave team up in midfield.

This match is only one for an interclub trophy this week. Murray Henderson was a western bays stalwart who had a pivotal role in the creation of Norths and his work for community rugby saw him made a Life Member of the WRFU; he was also a great friend to many in the Petone club. Petone are the current holders, while the Player of the Match will receive the Collins Medal honouring late cousins Jerry and Willie.

Even with their game in hand, Paremata-Plimmerton sit fifth and are the last of the five one-loss teams. The Hammerheads handled business against Norths a week ago, but were rather unhappy with their errors and execution. They make their second trip of the season into the eastern suburbs where they’ll meet Poneke at Kilbirnie Park. The hosts got off the mark against Avalon in a match where the scoreline might have somewhat flattered them, but will be under no illusions about having to be better than that for this one.

Just one change to the Streetkids starting side, with Taine Regeling on the wing after his 140-minute effort last Saturday. The midfield combination of Ifeanyi Nnebechukwu and Isaac Moe Jenkins will look to continue their form. Skipper Christian Fa’avae returns for the Hammerheads and he’ll pack down at No8 in place of an absent Jeremiah Avei-Collins, with veteran Tane McMillan-Parata at openside. The backline in unchanged, so Nick Robertson’s return from NZ Under 85kg duty to face the side he played over 100 times for will come from the bench.

After three straight losses to open the Swindale defence, Oriental Rongotai seem to have righted their ship with wins over Avalon and Johnsonville. The Magpies return to Polo, with Wainuiomata the visitors. In contrast, last week was a bruising one for the men from the valley as they were comprehensively outclassed by Petone on their home field. Their two previous ventures to the eastern suburbs were successful however, so they’ll be looking to repeat that magic once again.

Ories have Dom Ropeti back from Super Rugby for the weekend, and he goes straight into No8 with Jason Seumanufagai up front as well. The backline is unchanged, so the dangerous Jordan Soli continues at fullback. The visitors have resisted making wholesale changes. Brandon Maneff comes in at lock with the seemingly indestructible Teru Time switching to No8 in place of Braydon Soi. Lemafo’e Vui and Renata Kotuhi jojn the backs, with Mikade Fono dropping back to fullback.

Two teams that are no strangers to each other collide at Evans Bay, with Marist St Pat’s welcoming Wellington down the hill from Hataitai. Both sides will be looking to rebound from defeat last weekend and are at something of a junction in their seasons. MSP will want to avoid wasting the good start they made in the opening fortnight, and Wellington will be looking for another scalp to take to further their credentials, or face another season slipping away from them.

The change of note for the home team is captain James Zino switching to No8. His place at lock is taken by Nathan Carr, with Meinrad Fitisemanu and Ben Higgs also restored. Dallas Natoli comes into midfield with Max Crawford pushed to the wing. MSP centurion Tui Tuiatua returns to the Axemen lineup as does fellow front-rower Perry Laumalili and skipper Ami Paongo. Luke Kapene switches to halfback with Caleb Aiulu out to first-five, and Ben Tuia returns to partner Matt Proctor in midfield.

The final match tomorrow is out at Fraser Park. Avalon will have spent the past week rueing a good chance to get on the board against Poneke, and will have had to face up to being their own worst enemies on the field. Johnsonville head there for the second time this season after their trip to Petone was relocated. They sit only one place higher than the Wolves, and not getting a morale-boosting win here would likely leave them staring at the Hardham Cup places.

A handful of changes for Avalon; Esera Andrews and Poata Tuisamoa come into the backs, while up front Jona Bartley and Lefoi Utulolo-Tupu bookend hooker Quinn O’Kane. Captain Matthew Andrews moves back to No8 with Junior Misa at openside. The notable absence for the Hawks is skipper Ha’amea Ahio with Tafa Tafa taking his place amongst a host of changes to their pack. Aidan Eastwood and Kayd Parata form the halves, with Jacob Walmsley continuing at second-five.

There is one more match to come around before our next preview, with the rescheduled Round Three match between Pare-Plim and Avalon taking place on Wednesday night under lights at Porirua Park. The corresponding Premier 2 match is likely to go ahead the following week.

Preview continues below after this spotlight on sponsors and supporters of community rugby: 

Premier 2 Harper Lock Shield

Good chances here for the leading quartet to stretch their legs further in front of the field in tomorrow’s round. Petone should be strong favourites when they visit Norths, while HOBM will look to fend off Tawa to keep pace at the top. The Upper Hutt Rams visit struggling OBU, while MSP face another team doing it tough in Wellington.

Amongst the chasers Avalon and Pare-Plim have their game in hand; the Wolves host Johnsonville while Pare-Plim are at Poneke. The final match sees Ories hosting Wainuiomata.

Colts Paris Memorial

The McBain pair are the pacesetters here as well. Petone are away to winless Norths, while HOBM are on home turf to face Tawa. Elsewhere Poneke host Pare-Plim, and OBU look to get off the mark when they take on Upper Hutt at Kelburn Park. MSP have the bye this week.

Women’s Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy

It should be a low-stress round for the Big Three in tomorrow’s round of Women’s matches. Petone are already done after Wellington defaulted, Oriental Rongotai head out of the eastern suburbs for the first time this year to take on Avalon, and Norths will be glad to get back on the field when they visit Poneke. In the other matches Stokes Valley host valley neighbours Wainuiomata, and Old Boys-University look to follow up last week’s win when they welcome Paremata-Plimmerton to Kelburn.

Under 85kg JC Bowl

After their narrow win over Johnsonville last week, Poneke should have it a little easier as they visit winless Eastbourne at H.W. Shortt while fellow unbeaten side Tawa make the short journey to face Pare-Plim. OBU and Wellington clash in the Ian Galloway cage, and Johnsonville already have the week off after HOBM pulled the pin for tomorrow.

College

One high-profile game of note in the capital tomorrow, with Wellington College continuing their preparations as they host national powerhouse Hamilton Boys (kickoff 11am).

Two teams will book their places in the Premiership for 2026 tomorrow. In Masterton Wairarapa College take on St Bernard’s, while Hutt Valley HS will see if they can cause an upset for the second week in a row when they host Scots College.

Elsewhere, the remaining twelve teams face elimination from making the Premiership if they don’t win tomorrow. Rongotai and Hutt International have to go the long way to make it back but are on home turf; Rongotai face Newlands/Onslow, while HIBS take on Naenae. The remaining matches see Tawa host Taita, Aotea welcome neighbours Porirua, Mana takes on Kapiti, and Bishop Viard head north to face Paraparaumu.

Thursday sees two more matches of interest being played. Silverstream hosts New Plymouth Boys’ in their Traditional clash in the early afternoon, while later on Town have a match with Palmerston North Boys’ at Evans Bay.

Around the region

Hawke’s Bay starts the second stage of their season with the opening matches for the championship Maddison Trophy. Nash Cup winners NOBM begin their quest for the double by hosting Pirates, while defending champions Taradale are away at Havelock North. Napier Tech visit minnows Bridge Pa, and Hastings go across town to face MAC.

Manawatu are still two weeks away from the end of their first round. Leaders Varsity go into town to take on Old Boys Marist looking to take the outright lead with Kia Toa on the bye. Feilding Yellows are a short distance away to face Freyberg while just out of town strugglers Te Kawau host Linton. The fourth match sees Feilding Old Boys-Oroua host College Old Boys out in Kimbolton.

Further north, Taranaki reaches the end of their first round after which the competition points are halved. Clifton goes looking for a perfect record when they host Southern, while New Plymouth Old Boys hope to close the gap when they visit Inglewood. Stratford-Eltham hosts Coastal, while rivalries in New Plymouth’s west will be on show when Tukapa make the short trip to the Stadium to face United.

Foxton will look to maintain their sizeable lead in Horowhenua-Kapiti as they head to the Domain to take on surprise of the season so far Levin Wanderers. Down the road Levin COB are at Rahui, while Paraparaumu host neighbours and old foes Waikanae.

And in Wairarapa Bush the clash of the day is on the Memorial Park back fields with Marist hosting the Greytown juggernaut. Across town Pioneer welcomes Martinborough, and Masterton Red Star head to Whareama and an appointment with East Coast. Carterton have the bye.