Last weekend, one of the best rugby union competitions ever created came back : The Mitre 10 Cup. On this weekend, the Round 2 was highly contested between the 14 New Zealand provinces split in two conferences : The Premiership and The Championship.
In Round 1, there were some great games for the early lead in the two conferences. There is room for promotion for next season in the Championship while the other provinces will fight for the Mitre 10 Cup in Premiership thanks to a play-offs system like Super Rugby.
Following the first games, Canterbury, Tasman and Taranaki had the early lead in the Premiership. In the Championship conference, Otago, Wellington and Manawatu were the first contenders for a place in the play-offs at the end of the season to hope for promotion.
That was a tough start to the season for the provinces which lost their first game. Counties Manukau, Waikato, Hawke’s Bay and Auckland wanted to be back in contention while North Harbour, Northland, Bay Of Plenty and Southland were still targeting promotion.
Before the start of Round 2, Waikato were still the Ranfurly Shield holders. They lost against Tasman in Round 1 but the game was played away. The Trophy is contested when the team which holds it plays at home and during the regular season (no play-offs games).
North Harbour had an opportunity to take the Ranfurly Shield on this weekend as they were facing Waikato in Hamilton. They were coming into that game with a huge motivation after their first win of the season at home, beating the Counties Manukau.
The 2016 Mitre 10 Cup – Round 2 – Review
Game 8 : Otago vs. Wellington (Forsyth Barr, Dunedin, New Zealand)
Played under the roof of the Forsyth Barr Stadium, in Dunedin, the conditions were perfect for some running rugby. Otago and Wellington were unbeaten after Round 1 and the difference in this game was made in the first-half with Otago scoring 4 converted tries.
The Highlanders centre Matt Fades scored the first try after a wonderful assist from Teihorangi Walden. Tom Franklin and Jack Wilson also crossed thanks to set-piece control and great movements with playmaker Fletcher Smith directing well the attacking game.
Scoreboard did not really reflect the game as Wellington were not ridiculous. The Hurricanes players were in fine form with winger Wes Goosen and centre Matt Proctor scoring a try each.Vaea Fifita was at his best and made some great offloads (FT : 44-21).
Game 9 : Manawatu vs. Southland (Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North, New Zealand)
That game was an absolute thriller between these two provinces at Palmerston North. Once again, the Hurricanes players made the job for Manawatu. Flanker Callum Gibbins scored the first try of the game thanks to a good run with Southland struggling in defence.
Maintaining a high tempo with an ambitious game, Manawatu kept their passion with the Hurricanes centre Ngani Laumape scoring a treble. They were comfortable but Southland launched the fightback thanks to their number 8 Mika Mafi with a try from a driving maul.
Wharenui Hawera was inspiring with winger Leon Fukofuka scoring a try on the right wing to draw the game (31-31). In last play, Southland conceded a penalty in his own half, for taking the scrum-half, that Otere Black kicked to win the game for Manawatu (FT : 34-31).
Game 10 : Auckland vs. Northland (Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand)
It was a contest between two provinces which had lost in Round 1. The game was staged at Eden Park but the weather conditions were difficult in Auckland. The hosts were first on the scoreboard with Pryor Collier crossing the line after Melani Nanai’s sublime offload.
Auckland wanted to make amends after the heavy loss to Canterbury. Back-rower Steven Luatua used the lineout and the scrum to bring physicality. He scored two tries in an inspiring performance with Simon Hickey adapting to the very tough weather conditions.
Despite these conditions, Northland played their game with Peter Breen trying to bring some pace. The team managed to score two tries including one from the Crusaders winger Joni Macilai-Tori. However, it was not enough to come back into this game (FT : 37-15).
Game 11 : Waikato vs. North Harbour (FMG Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand)
Waikato was defending the Ranfurly Shield in their first home game of the season against North Harbour, undefeated after the Counties Manukau win. The province from Hamilton made a brillant start with a try scored from the start by former Ireland player Isaac Boss.
The Hurricanes prop Loni Uhila was in fine form as well with the second try for Waikato. North Harbour was under pressure during the first-half but came back in second-half with a great counter-attacking try from their midfield player Michael Little after a good break.
North Harbour scrum-half Bryn Hall launched the fightback and Matt Vaega was denied a try after a great Waikato defensive comeback. Jordan Trainor added 6 points for Waikato in a hard-fought win. The Ranfurly Shield will remain in the same hands (FT : 26-15).
Game 12 : Taranaki vs. Hawke’s Bay (Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand)
First game at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth in this Mitre 10 Cup, Taranaki was looking for consistency but it was Hawke’s Bay who found the momentum, first. Couple of tries including a score from the Highlanders hooker Ash Dixon earned them a decent lead, then.
Making great improvements after half-time, Taranaki played with width and speed. Flanker Iopu Iopu-Aso showed the way with Marty McKenzie who played at his brillant best from the fullback position with a try, an assist and a good kicking record in this game.
The Auckland Blues playmaker Ihaia West performed well too with a good individual try after a little chip over the top. Though, it was not enough to handle the pressure as Taranaki found his best game with Te Toira Tahuriorangi organising the lines (FT : 55-28).
Game 13 : Canterbury vs. Tasman (AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand)
Following an impressive game last weekend against Auckland, Canterbury was hosting Tasman at Christchurch for the Crusaders bragging rights. The home side started very well with an early try in the right corner thanks to Beauden Barrett’s brother, Jordie Barrett.
Tasman built their score thanks to penalties from the 2015 Super Rugby winner with the Highlanders, Marty Banks. The 53rd try from their winger Tima Faingaanuku allowed them to come back into the game but Canterbury side unleashed their powerful forwards pack.
Flanker Matt Todd took the gap in the Tasman defence and made an offload to All Blacks Dominic Bird who scored on the right wing. Jordie Barrett finished the game with 25 points scored with Canterbury players scoring enough tries to take the bonus point try (FT : 45-14).
Game 14 : Counties Manukau vs. Bay Of Plenty (ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe, New Zealand)
These two provinces had to bounce back following an opening defeat last weekend. That contest was a thriller. Bay Of Plenty had the first say with former Glasgow Warriors flanker Hugh Blake scoring a try thanks to a good carry. Counties Manukau came back quickly.
Jordan Taufua helped his team find his way back with a brillant score. The turning point of the game came at the 50th minute when Bay Of Plenty winger Monty Ioane was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on. Referee Paul Williams awarded penalty try to home side.
Counties Manukau took a big lead with their back players Sione Molia and Sherwin Stowers on the scoreboard. Bay Of Plenty did not adapt with 14 players but almost made the comeback. Regan Ware and Monty Ioane grabbed late tries but it was too late (FT : 39-34).
The Talking Points :
Premiership Division : Auckland, Waikato and Counties Manukau recovered from defeat in Round 1. Canterbury and Taranaki remain unbeaten but Tasman and Hawke’s Bay could battle for relegation with a very tough schedule though there is still a lot of games to play.
Championship Division : Otago and Manawatu have been impressive so far this season. Wellington and North Harbour have got 1 win each while Bay Of Plenty, Northland and Southland are still looking for a first win but they are quality sides as they narrowly lost.
Ranfurly Shield : Waikato, the Ranfurly Shield holders, were defending the Trophy in Round 2 against North Harbour and they defended it successfully. Next weekend, in Round 3, Waikato will have to defend it again with Manawatu coming in Hamilton for a big game.
Conclusion :
Round 2 has been very good with some quality rugby played. There were a lot of high scoring games with all the provinces taking their respective opportunities. Even the provinces which are still looking for their first win of the season remain in the contest.
There will be a big battle for play-offs inclusion in the Premiership Division with more than four provinces battling for the four places. About the Championship Division, games on this weekend showed that starting the game well is absolutely key to get the big wins.
Waikato will be under pressure next weekend in Round 3 as they will host Manawatu and defend the Ranfurly Shield. Manawatu is unbeaten after two games and plenty of stars will be on the pitch : Loni Uhila (Waikato) and Otere Black (Manawatu), both Hurricanes stars.
Great rugby on Round 2 ! Bring on Round 3 !
Max.
Rugby, Only Rugby ! 