{"id":7367,"date":"2020-09-11T12:22:08","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T00:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/?p=7367"},"modified":"2020-09-11T18:46:22","modified_gmt":"2020-09-11T06:46:22","slug":"final-round-fireworks-predicted-in-club-rugby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/2020\/09\/11\/final-round-fireworks-predicted-in-club-rugby\/","title":{"rendered":"Final round fireworks predicted in club rugby"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><em>\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1 .wpls-fix-box,\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1 .wpls-fix-box img.wp-post-image{max-height:250px; }\n\t\t<\/style>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wpls-wrap wpls-logo-showcase-slider-wrp wpls-logo-clearfix wpls-design-1 \" data-conf=\"{&quot;slides_column&quot;:4,&quot;slides_scroll&quot;:1,&quot;dots&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay_interval&quot;:3000,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;rtl&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:800,&quot;center_mode&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-showcase logo_showcase wpls-logo-slider  sliderimage_hide_border \" id=\"wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1\" >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roblawmax.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/rmax24.jpg?fit=220%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geeksonwheels.co.nz\/locations\/wellington-computer-repair\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/images.jpg?fit=296%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/thecallcentre.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/TCC-Logo-400x260-1.jpg?fit=400%2C260&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.partnersfinance.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/part2.jpg?fit=300%2C195&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>By Scott MacLean<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><strong>Draws &amp; Results <a href=\"http:\/\/www.clubrugby.co.nz\/wellington\/games-results.php?competition=1&amp;season=16&amp;round=13\">HERE\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em><strong>EVENING EDITION<\/strong><\/em>: It\u2019s the final round of the season, and after thirteen weeks the destination of the Swindale Shield will be found along with the fate of all fourteen teams for next week with a couple of encounters that are critical to that.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Congratulations to two players who will run out tomorrow for their 100<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0Premier outings. Oriental-Rongotai outside back Tuga Mativa becomes their latest centurion when they take on OBU, with his former teammate Ha\u2019amea Ahio also reaching the mark when Johnsonville host the Upper Hutt Rams with his games spread across the Hawks (56), Ories (25, and MSP (19).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><u>Premier Swindale Shield<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will it all fall?<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As dawn breaks on the final round of the Swindale Shield any one of four teams \u2013 Marist St Pat&#8217;s, Norths, Old Boys-University, and Petone \u2013 could end up holding the Swindale Shield tomorrow night while a fifth \u2013 Tawa \u2013 looks to break into that top four for next week&#8217;s Jubilee Cup playoffs.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Marist St Pat&#8217;s<\/strong>\u00a0(50 points) are in the box seat, holding a one-point lead in the standings and with only lowly\u00a0<strong>Wellington<\/strong>\u00a0(12) left to face. But they would have been stunned by almost fumbling away their advantage against Johnsonville last Saturday, and perhaps unsurprisingly \u2013 and despite their Lions contingent \u2013 have named a strong side looking to leave nothing to chance. Regular skipper Tom Martin is amongst those returning, while the King of Evans Bay \u2013 Fa\u2019atonu Fili \u2013 makes his first Premier start of the year and his 220<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0match in all in the scarlet jersey.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Axemen are holding onto 12<sup>th<\/sup>, which carries the promise of potentially two more games rather than a single game next week but will be looking over their shoulder at Johnsonville who are now just a point behind. Cam Roseingrave and Ben Kalin are amongst those back in this week\u2019s side but they\u2019ll be without Matt Goosen.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should MSP stumble, then the first team off the rank to take advantage would be\u00a0<strong>Norths\u00a0<\/strong>(49) who go looking for their eleventh straight win when they host\u00a0<strong>Petone<\/strong>\u00a0(46) at Jerry Collins Stadium in the game of the round and with more at stake than just the Murray Henderson Trophy the pair will contest. To make absolutely certain of hosting a semi-final next weekend Norths need a bonus point win, while likely circumstances dictate that its win or bust for the Villagers. Even without their Lions contingent it\u2019s still a very handy looking home team and they can bring back the likes of Gerard Faitotoa, Bruce Kauika-Petersen, Kienan Higgins, and Jayden McCarthy who were all rested a week ago. Injuries to both Piri Paraone and Carne Green means that Tom Pere will run the cutter for Petone, while they get a boost of the bench with the return of Josh Southall alongside Matekai Kafatolu.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also at stake is their Murray Henderson Shield, currently held by Norths. First played for in 2016, Henderson was amongst those that facilitated the merger of Norths\u2019 predecessor clubs Porirua and Titahi Bay, a great friend of many Villagers, and his tireless work for community rugby saw him made a Life Member of the WRFU. They also have the Collins Medal \u2013 honouring late cousins Jerry and Willie \u2013 in play for the player of the match.<\/p>\n<p>Also in with a shout are <strong>Old Boys-University (48)<\/strong> who would claim the Swindale should MSP lose and they finish tied with or ahead of Norths. But a loss to <strong>Oriental-Rongotai (31)<\/strong> at the Polo Ground would certainly scupper that, and perhaps even leave them on the outside depending on the goings-on at Porirua and Lyndhurst; and that\u2019s without going into the impact of the bonus point they didn\u2019t get when their match against Wellington was abandoned may have. There\u2019s the interest in the return to Miramar of Malo Manuao and Alex Ropeti who left Ories in recent weeks and it seems likely they won\u2019t get a warm welcome from their former teammates, Callum Harkin returns at fullback in place of Sam Reid while they\u2019re without Jonathan Fuimaono.<\/p>\n<p>The Magpies are destined for the Hardham Cup section after a year that hasn\u2019t met their own expectations but would dearly like to take down one of this season\u2019s leading sides before it\u2019s all over and tomorrow is their last chance to do that. They too make a handful of changes with props Connor Lemon and Whetu Henry returning up front and Declan Hay replaces his brother behind the scrum where he\u2019ll pair up with Grayson Whitman.<\/p>\n<p>What makes wins imperative for Petone and OBU is that <strong>Tawa (44)<\/strong> have a rather contrasting assignment against 11th-placed <strong>Paremata-Plimmerton (13)<\/strong> at home at Lyndhurst Park where the expectation of most is that they\u2019ll follow up their win against the Rams a week ago with another five points, but aside from that, their fate is beyond their own control. Their side is almost unchanged from a week ago with the return of Pepesana Patafilo on the left wing in place of Caleb Cavubati the only difference. Pare-Plim are more than likely looking ahead to next week and a 9th-12th playoff match, but are largely unchanged upfront with one veteran in Stu Simonsen replacing another in Teariki Kie Tonga with club entertainer Johnathan Sabo getting a run at fullback<\/p>\n<p>Down in sixth, <strong>Hutt Old Boys Marist (41)<\/strong> make the short journey to Fraser Park neighbours <strong>Avalon (2)<\/strong> needing the equivalent of a sporting miracle to make the top four after their hopes were derailed at Maidstone Park three weeks ago. In reality their future lies in a Hardham Cup semi-final next weekend and they\u2019ll be assured of hosting one of those at the Hutt Rec. Their Billy Herbert Memorial Trophy match \u2013 in memory of the former HOBM prop who moved to Avalon but suffered a heart attack on the eve of the season \u2013 is the last chance for Avalon to break their duck in the Swindale in what has turned into a wretched season for them. The Wolves are unchanged from last week which means that erstwhile lock Laman Ah Wong moonlights on the wing for another game, while HOBM make a couple in their pack including Willie Rua starting at hooker and Josh Brown on the flank, with Connor Collins at halfback their only backline change.<\/p>\n<p>Completing the set of matches in a busy day in the eastern suburbs is what effectively amounts to a Hardham Cup quarter-final between <strong>Poneke (27)<\/strong> and <strong>Wainuiomata (29)<\/strong> at Kilbirnie Park. In play is not only their Hakaraia Trophy which honours both Paul Hakaraia, who was associated with both clubs, and his son Peter who died in a diving accident in 2007, but the result will determine whether they\u2019re playing off for 5th, or dropping down into hosting a match in the 9th-12th bracket next weekend. Poneke are taking the opportunity to use the day for their Old Timers&#8217; Day, which will include the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the late Fred \u2018Frog\u2019 Baker and wearing socks of Irish club Midleton to honour Cormac Ryan who played for Poneke in recent but tragically died back in his native Cork earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p>The home team get returns from both Rhys Reiri and Jimmy-Lee Hongara with the latter starting at 10, and Andrew Jones who eases their hooking crisis though Greg Foe remains as the cover off the bench. Wainuiomata get back many of their first choice backs with TJ Va\u2019a, Tyler Tane, Josh Roberston-Weepu, and \u2013 finally \u2013 Ruben Love all returning to their starting side.<\/p>\n<p>Finally there\u2019s the match at Helston where <strong>Johnsonville (11)<\/strong> host the<strong> Upper Hutt Rams (20).<\/strong> It\u2019s effectively a dead-rubber for the Rams who can\u2019t improve or lose their place on the table and will host one of those 9th-12th matches next week, but for the Hawks there\u2019s the opportunity to leapfrog both Wellington and Paremata-Plimmerton into those matches and avoid a wooden-spoon clash with Avalon. They\u2019ve stuck with almost the same XV that came so close to upsetting MSP last Saturday, with the change of the inclusion of Paula Kinikinilau in midfield. The Rams have made a number of changes after last week\u2019s heavy loss to Tawa but get a couple of important cogs back in captain Aiden Woodward and utility back Josh Svenson who starts in midfield.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Irrespective of the outcome of tomorrows match, Norths (57) will be presented with the trophy for 2020 after their match with Petone; MSP (52) can catch them on points, but Norths hold the tiebreaker after winning back in the very first game of the season. MSP are assured of hosting the other semi-final, but after being defaulted to the past two weeks might just want to get on the field and stretch their legs so here&#8217;s hoping the bottom-placed Petone Brotherhood front. Petone Blue (45) just need a point for safety, but should they fail to get that then they&#8217;ll be at the mercy of the chasing pack, with OBU (41), Tawa (40), HOBM (40), and Poneke (39) all having claims they&#8217;ll want to push for the remaining two top four places. OBU have the toughest assignment on paper as they head to Polo to face Ories (37), while Tawa host Pare-Plim (16), HOBM are at Avalon (15), and Poneke host Wainuiomata (9). The seventh match is in the lower part of the table with Johnsonville (24) hosting Stokes Valley (13).<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Colts<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Its also the final round of matches in the Colts grade with the playing of the round skipped at the start of the current Covid restrictions, but only three will go ahead. The top four have already been found; with OBU Green (43) having already annexed the Paris Memorial Trophy and will host a semi-final, which could be a repeat of tomorrow&#8217;s match against Tawa (31) in the Ian Galloway cage. Norths Blue (35) will look to host the other as they meet Poneke (11) on the St Pats College turf, while Petone (32) will rest up after being defaulted to by the Upper Hutt Rams (19). The third match is a meeting of HOBM (26) and Norths White (26) at the Hutt Rec to decide top spot for the division two playoffs, with OBU Black (23) and Johnsonville (6) having this week off.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Under 85s<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The lightweights reach their finals, which we previewed earlier in the week. In the Division 1 Paul Potiki Shield decider the Upper Hutt Rams host Eastbourne at Maidstone Park at 2.45pm, with the Division 2 Tony O\u2019Brien Shield final being played between eastern suburbs rivals Wellington and Marist St Pats at 12.45pm at the Axemen\u2019s Hataitai Park.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>College<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The highlight clash in the Premiership is the meeting of unbeaten pair Silverstream and Scots in Upper Hutt. The winner will ensure that they book their place in the final in two weeks, while the loser will have to win next week to join them. Town are the only other side that can make the showpiece but need things to happen to be there and travel out to Porirua to face Mana. St Bernard&#8217;s and Rongotai will scrap over fourth place when they meet in Lower Hutt, Wellington College host Wairarapa (at 1pm), and Aotea will defend the Beard Trophy on home turf against Tawa.<\/p>\n<p>The leaders meet in Premier 2 as well. Upper Hutt are already qualified for the final ahead of the bye next week, but face the Silverstream 2nds at home at 1pm; a Stream win guarantees they&#8217;ll be the other team in the final, but a loss might leave the door just wide enough for Hutt International who have the bye this week. The remaining matches are in matched pairs down the table; Porirua host the Town 2nds and Wainuiomata are at home to Kapiti, while the Wellington College 2nds have defaulted to Paraparaumu.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There&#8217;s also more finals in lower grades this weekend, as Covid restrictions mean that College Sport have abandoned the traditional finals day for 2019. In Division 3 of the Under 15 grade Bishop Viard host Hutt Valley HS and in the Under 65kg Division 2 its Paraparaumu against Scots; while its semi-finals in Premier 3, Premier 4, Under 15 Divisions 1 and 2, and the true lightweights of the Under 55kg grade.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><u>Representative<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, the seasons for both the Lions and Pride get underway tomorrow with the Lions away to Waikato and the Pride across Cook Strait to face Tasman.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Lions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (Petone)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asafo Aumua (Avalon)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alex Fidow (Ories)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">James Blackwell (Petone)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Naitoa Ah Kuoi (MSP)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vaea Fifita (Wellington)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Du\u2019plessis Kirifi (Norths)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ardie Savea (Ories)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TJ Perenara (Norths)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jackson Garden-Bachop (Norths)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Julian Savea (Ories)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vince Aso (Petone)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Billy Proctor (MSP)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connor Garden-Bachop (Norths)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trent Renata (Tawa)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tyrone Thompson (MSP)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Morgan Poi (OBU)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe (Norths)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taine Plumtree (OBU)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teariki Ben-Nicholas (OBU)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Tawa)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aidan Morgan (MSP)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Pride<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Angel Uila (Petone)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Precious Auimatagi (Ories)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Janet Taumoli (Ories)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joanah Ngan-Woo (Ories)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jackie Patea-Fereti (Petone)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nina Foease (Norths)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sinead Toala-Ryder (Ories)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dhys Faleafaga (Norths)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acacia Claridge-Te Iwimate (Pare-Plim)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montana Heslop (OBU)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Georgia Daals (OBU)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fa\u2019asua Makisi (Ories)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monica Tagoai (MSP)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kolora Lomani (Norths)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thamsyn Newton (OBU)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alice Soper (Petone)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dora Laupola (Norths)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charlene Gubb (Ories)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emily Dalley (OBU)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rejieli Uluinayau (Ories)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tyler Bentley (HOBM)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marcelle Parkes (MSP)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><em>\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2 .wpls-fix-box,\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2 .wpls-fix-box img.wp-post-image{max-height:250px; }\n\t\t<\/style>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wpls-wrap wpls-logo-showcase-slider-wrp wpls-logo-clearfix wpls-design-1 \" data-conf=\"{&quot;slides_column&quot;:4,&quot;slides_scroll&quot;:1,&quot;dots&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay_interval&quot;:3000,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;rtl&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:800,&quot;center_mode&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-showcase logo_showcase wpls-logo-slider  sliderimage_hide_border \" id=\"wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2\" >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roblawmax.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/rmax24.jpg?fit=220%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geeksonwheels.co.nz\/locations\/wellington-computer-repair\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/images.jpg?fit=296%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/thecallcentre.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/TCC-Logo-400x260-1.jpg?fit=400%2C260&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.partnersfinance.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/part2.jpg?fit=300%2C195&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7376\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/wAIKATO-V-LIONS-TEAMLISTS.jpg?resize=416%2C547&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"416\" height=\"547\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/wAIKATO-V-LIONS-TEAMLISTS.jpg?resize=228%2C300&amp;ssl=1 228w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/wAIKATO-V-LIONS-TEAMLISTS.jpg?w=399&amp;ssl=1 399w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 416px) 100vw, 416px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7370\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Pride-Tasman-teams.jpg?resize=461%2C586&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Pride-Tasman-teams.jpg?resize=236%2C300&amp;ssl=1 236w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Pride-Tasman-teams.jpg?w=472&amp;ssl=1 472w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 461px) 100vw, 461px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CE3z3nDpek5\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:640px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CE3z3nDpek5\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/p>\n<div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CE3z3nDpek5\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Po\u0304neke Football Club (@ponekefc)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Scott MacLean Draws &amp; Results HERE\u00a0 EVENING EDITION: It\u2019s the final round of the season, and after thirteen weeks the destination of the Swindale Shield will be found along with the fate of all fourteen teams for next week with a couple of encounters that are critical to that. Congratulations to two players who&#8230;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7368,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,5,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7367","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-club-rugby","category-college-rugby","category-swindale-shield"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Photo-for-preview-2.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbDiON-1UP","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7367","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7367"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7367\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7382,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7367\/revisions\/7382"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}