The Last round of the Air New Zealand Cup is set to be a thriller! Five teams are playing for the final 3 playoff spots. (Wellington, Southland, Waikato, Hawke’s Bay & Auckland) The All Blacks end of year tour squad has been named with congratulations to new caps Tamati Ellison, Zac Guildford, Mike Delany & Ben Smith.
Hawke’s Bay vs. Canterbury – Canterbury won 27 - 20
These teams certainly mean business. Both of these teams deserve to be in the semi-finals. Canterbury is there by showing dominance through the whole 80 minutes. Hawke’s Bay deserves to be there for being the most entertaining, consistent & well-supported team. Canterbury needs to still play at the top of their game as they host Southland for the last Shield Match of the year. The Magpies need to put away Northland to have a shot at getting in. They Deserve to!
Player of the game – Zac Guildford (Hawke’s Bay) congratulations due in reward of an outstanding season!
Southland vs. Taranaki – Southland won 29 -13
The Stags are peeking at the right time. Taranaki have been solid but unable to find enough points to put teams away. They have played with control, authority & purpose unable to sustain it across the whole season. Southland has been able to defend their line, take opportunities to score tries. The Stags do have a golden chance at nabbing the Shield against an All Black less red & black side. The ‘naki can restore pride against BOP.
Player of the game – Robbie Robinson (Southland) continues to keep a strong boot to the Stags playoff hopes.
Manawatu vs. Bay of Plenty – Bay of Plenty won 28 - 27
This game was in the Turbos hands but was lost by a desperate Steamers side refusing to lose yet another game. The experience of the Bay shone through to steal the game. Both these teams have been BIG improvers from past seasons especially Manawatu. The Bay needed to score more bonus points but can take a lot from this season. The Turbos will want to finish well against North Harbour. Likewise, the steamers want to finish the way they started the season playing Taranaki.
Player of the game – Brent Thompson (Manawatu) showed that the Turbos will not give up in any game with 2 BIG tries!
Wellington vs. North Harbour – Wellington won 37 - 13
A game of two halves. Harbour looked in the game in the first half. (just!) Then the Lions big guns blew the game out (as they should) with no answer. This game has given Wellington everything it needs to get a home semi-final. Harbour will want to have a good last game to give something back to a stronger season than last year. Wellington maybe favourites to win the NPC if they gain home advantage. The Lions play the struggling Makos away. Harbour travel to Palmerston North to play the Turbos.
Player of the game – Hosea Gear (Wellington) unlucky to miss the end of year tour but will boost the chances of success for the Lions!
Otago vs. Tasman – Otago won 21 – 0
Otago had slipped too far through the standings to have a chance at the title. They are the last team in the Super unions. Strange to not have been more mid-table as they have a solid forward back and able back line? The Makos look like they have fired all of their shots now. Another team that started strongly but to fade in the crunch. However the Makos have played their best season. Otago will want to pounce on the Steelers at home. Tasman can play spoiler for the Lions. (Yeah right?)
Player of the game – Kees Meeuws (Otago) highly successful 50th club match.
Waikato vs. Northland – Waikato won 27 - 19
The Mooloo men needed this one bad for a shot at the finals. Northland has continued to play exciting catch up rugby threatening almost all teams but failing to convert points on the table. Waikato received a huge boost from their All Blacks in the recent weeks to solidify themselves as contenders. Who knows what happens without those players now? Northland has played below their abilities a tad too often. Waikato plays a do or die match with Auckland. Northland will attempt to pester the black & white HOT Magpies!
Player of the game – Aled de Malmanche (Waikato) will be disappointed to not have an end of year tour as he could have been a third hooker option?
Auckland vs. Counties Manukau – Auckland won 37 - 14
Another game that was rampaged by the All Blacks. Auckland put on a Tsunami relief match with ex-All Blacks & Warriors in a festive like atmosphere at Eden Park. The A Team did their best to secure a bonus point win against the never give up Steelers. Counties continue to have a go with Tasesa Lavea giving his all to this team. Auckland will be worried about playing at Waikato Stadium to secure a playoff berth. Counties will want to finish the season with a bang at Carisbrook against Otago.
Player of the game – Jerome Kaino (Auckland) there is nothing wrong with this great man who will look to continue his good form into the black jersey!
2009 Air New Zealand Cup Standings
|
Team
|
Played
|
Win
|
Draw
|
Loss
|
For
|
Against
|
BP1
|
BP2
|
Points
|
|
Canterbury
|
12
|
10
|
0
|
2
|
366
|
222
|
4
|
2
|
46
|
|
Wellington
|
12
|
8
|
0
|
4
|
340
|
223
|
5
|
2
|
39
|
|
Southland
|
12
|
8
|
1
|
3
|
251
|
186
|
2
|
1
|
37
|
|
Waikato
|
12
|
8
|
0
|
4
|
267
|
271
|
4
|
0
|
36
|
|
Hawke's Bay
|
12
|
7
|
1
|
4
|
340
|
243
|
5
|
1
|
36
|
|
Auckland
|
12
|
7
|
0
|
5
|
246
|
205
|
3
|
4
|
35
|
|
Bay of Plenty
|
12
|
7
|
0
|
5
|
244
|
237
|
0
|
2
|
30
|
|
Tasman
|
12
|
6
|
0
|
6
|
229
|
238
|
2
|
2
|
28
|
|
Taranaki
|
12
|
5
|
1
|
6
|
222
|
227
|
1
|
1
|
24
|
|
Otago
|
12
|
4
|
0
|
8
|
238
|
264
|
2
|
5
|
23
|
|
North Harbour
|
12
|
4
|
0
|
8
|
228
|
278
|
0
|
4
|
20
|
|
Manawatu
|
12
|
3
|
0
|
9
|
263
|
346
|
2
|
5
|
19
|
|
Northland
|
12
|
3
|
1
|
8
|
213
|
309
|
0
|
2
|
16
|
|
Counties Manukau
|
12
|
2
|
0
|
10
|
216
|
414
|
2
|
1
|
11
|
The ALL BLACKS End of Year Squad 2009
CANTERBURY Dan Carter (62) Wyatt Crockett (1) Andy Ellis (11) Corey Flynn (5) Owen Franks (6) Richie McCaw (76) – Captain Kieran Read (12) Brad Thorn (33)
WELLINGTON Tamati Ellison * Cory Jane (8) Ma’a Nonu (42) Rodney So’oialo (60) Conrad Smith (29) Neemia Tialata (37)
SOUTHLAND Jimmy Cowan (28)
WAIKATO Stephen Donald (16) Brendon Leonard (12) Liam Messam (2) Mils Muliaina (77) Sitiveni Sivivatu (39)
HAWKE’S BAY Zac Guildford *
AUCKLAND John Afoa (20) Jerome Kaino (22)
BAY OF PLENTY Mike Delany * Tanerau Latimer (3)
TARANAKI Jason Eaton (13) Andrew Hore (43)
OTAGO Tom Donnelly (1) Ben Smith * Adam Thomson (12)
NORTH HARBOUR Anthony Boric (10) Luke McAlister (28) Tony Woodcock (58)
(Test Caps) * - New Cap
This Week: (Please note the home team is listed first)
Thursday 22nd Oct, 7:35pm – Canterbury vs. Southland (Ranfurly Shield)
Friday 23rd Oct, 7:35pm – Northland vs. Hawke’s Bay
Friday 23rd Oct, 7:35pm – Tasman vs. Wellington
Saturday 24th Oct, 2:35pm – Manawatu vs. North Harbour
Saturday 24th Oct, 5:30pm – Otago vs. Counties Manukau
Saturday 24th Oct, 7:35pm – Waikato vs. Auckland
Sunday 25th Oct, 2:35pm – Bay of Plenty vs. Taranaki
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