The 2016 Mitre 10 Cup is probably one of the most exciting competitions in the rugby world and that provincial competition coud tell you why New Zealand is the best rugby union nation ever : all the legends of the game in New Zealand played in the Mitre 10 Cup.
On this weekend, it was the Round 7 of the provincial competition and there are only 3 Rounds, including this one, for the provinces to push for the play-offs. The goals are a bit different, depending on whether the province plays in Premiership or in Championship.
In the Premiership Division, Canterbury is still leading the race but this is so close as their opponents Taranaki, Counties Manukau, Tasman and Auckland all picked wins last weekend. Waikato is still in this contest though even after two average performances.
About the Championship conference, Otago conceded their first defeat of the season against Canterbury but they are still leading. Wellington and Manawatu are also looking for promotion with North Harbour battling with Bay Of Plenty for the last play-offs place.
The defending Champions Canterbury will play twice in this Round 7 and they will be involved in two away games : Waikato and Taranaki. Their manager Scott Robertson will have to use the depth in his squad as there will be only 4 days between the two fixtures.
Canterbury facing Waikato in their home of Hamilton means that the Ranfurly Shield will be contested this weekend. Waikato kept the Ranfurly Shield after a home draw two weeks ago against Taranaki. The Ranfurly Shield holders will now need a big performance, really.
The 2016 Mitre 10 Cup – Round 7 – Review
Game 47 : Waikato vs. Canterbury (FMG Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand)
Waikato gave everything in this game to keep the Ranfurly Shield. Flanker Jordan Manihera scored the first try for the home team after a strong run on the right wing. Canterbury responded immediately thanks to their driving maul allowing hooker Ben Funnell to score.
Richie Mo’unga kicked a couple of penalties but Waikato found their way in that game with Whetu Douglas concluding a brillant piece of work started by their playmaker Jordan Trainor. However, Canterbury stayed cool and extended their lead just before half-time.
Fullback Johnny McNicholl scored second try. In second-half, Waikato drew levels (23-23) with wing Iliesa Ratuva finding space after Willis Halaholo’s pass. Canterbury made the job in last 10 minutes with 2 penalties from Jordie Barrett to win Ranfurly Shield (FT : 23-29).
Game 48 : Tasman vs. Counties Manukau (Lansdowne Park, Blenheim, New Zealand)
That Mitre 10 Cup game was one of the closest of the season with few points scored. Tasman started strongly with David Havili finding a gap in the midfield. Playmaker Marty Banks was on the board with 3 penalties to give the lead to the Tasman team in Blenheim.
Nevertheless, Counties Manukau came back quickly in the first-half when Augutine Pulu read well the game and threw the pass to back-rower Jimmy Tupou who scored a try on the right wing. First-five eighths traded penalties with Tasman having the edge at half-time.
Only leading by 2 points (12-10 Tasman), the home team managed to score another penalty with 10 minutes to go. It was all about the defence at the end with Counties Manukau pushing for the last try but Tasman made the defining turnover (FT : 15-10).
Game 49 : Wellington vs. Southland (Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand)
Westpac Stadium was hosting this Mitre 10 Cup with Southland scoring the first try from the back of the scrum thanks to scrum-half Jahvis Wallace. Wellington came back immediately with Jackson Garden-Bachop making a good assist for back-row Vaea Fifita.
The home team scored two more tries with centre Wes Goosen on the board and Jason Woodward throwing the offload to Greg Foe. In an intensity game, the playmakers drove their team. Wharenui Hawera first scored an individual try after breaking two tackles.
Jackson Garden Bachop responded for Wellington with a grubber allowing Matt Proctor to score. Jason Woodward and Malo Tuiloma were on scoreboard with Asafo Aumua and Galu Taufale. Southland scored late try thanks to wing Keanu Kahukura (FT : 60-21).
Game 50 : North Harbour vs. Bay Of Plenty (QBE Stadium, Albany, New Zealand)
The 50th game of the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup was outstanding with Bay Of Plenty scoring the first try thanks to centre Teddy Stanaway following a good effort from the pack. North Harbour answered with Tevita Li scoring in the corner and Chris Vui on the board as well.
The second-half was crazy with Tevita Li having a double on the left wing. However, Bay Of Plenty fullback Isaac Te Aute linked with Monty Ioane to come back. Bryn Gatland showed his class to create two tries from clever kicks for Matt Vaega and prop Nic Mayhew.
Bay Of Plenty relied on the driving maul with Henry Stowers crossing but North Harbour responded with Bryn Hall’s clever chip finding winger Matt Duffie. Bay Of Plenty added two more tries with forwards Joe Royal and Jesse Parete but it was late (FT : 44-34).
Game 51 : Manawatu vs. Hawke’s Bay (Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North, New Zealand)
On a wet pitch in Palmerston North, Manawatu took quickly an 11-point lead thanks to 2 penalties from Otere Black and a try from hooker Travis Taylor after a good driving maul. Hawke’s Bay closed the gap on the scoreboard with 3 penalties from playmaker Ihaia West.
In the second-half, Hawke’s Bay second-row Mark Abbott crossed the line after a good build-up while Travis Taylor added a second try for Manawatu following another rolling maul. The turning point of the game happened near the middle of the great second-half.
Otere Black’s long and high pass was intercepted by Robbie Fruean who scored Hawke’s Bay second try. Manawatu went for the losing bonus point with Tim Cadwallader on board but Hawke’s Bay was strong and finally won on that pitch by 9 points (FT : 21-30).
Game 52 : Auckland vs. Otago (Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand)
Auckland and Otago were facing each other in Eden Park and Rieko Ioane found space early in the midfield for his first try of the night. Auckland played a very good footy with some huge build-ups. Flanker Taleni Seu showed his power to carry the ball over the try line.
Otago managed to score a penalty from Fletcher Smith but Auckland applied pressure. Lolagi Visinia gathered a grubber to score in right corner while Melani Nanai scored on counter-attack. Playmaker Simon Hickey performed well for Auckland, scoring 24 points.
He scored a double thanks to his footwork and Rieko Ioane finished the game with a Hat-Trick with his brother Akira Ioane offloading. Otago scored one try at the end of each half thanks to Donald Brighouse and Jonah Aoina but Auckland got the big win (FT : 54-17).
Game 53 : Taranaki vs. Canterbury (Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand)
In an absolute thriller, Canterbury were first on the board with scrum-half Jack Stratton crossing after an inside pass. Taranaki replied with hooker Rhys Marshall scoring a try. Canterbury was in front again thanks to Luke Whitelock’s effort after really great offload.
The home team re-gathered and managed to score their second try thanks to back-rower Iopu Iopu Aso after a good run from the back of the scrum (18-17 Half-Time). The second-half set standards higher with Jordie Barrett showing his footwork to score a lovely try.
Marty McKenzie drew levels with 2 more penalties (24-24). Canterbury made difference with Luke Whitelock’s double and Richie Mo’unga clever score. Taranaki scored two late tries with Stephen Perofeta and Toa Halafihi but they fell short (FT : 34-39).
Game 54 : Northland vs. Waikato (Toll Stadium, Whangarei, New Zealand)
Hosting Waikato, Northland was looking to end a 16-game losing streak and they started well with winger Jordan Hyland touching down on his right wing and setting up the second try for prop Phil Kite. Northland took quickly the lead with Waikato under pressure (15-3).
Northland did not release the pressure and scored a third try with Matt Matich concluding a great build-up. The Waikato fullback Jordan Trainor was finally on board but Joni Macilai-Tori responded for Northland and scored the bonus point try before half-time.
Waikato launched the comeback with Iliesa Ratuva and Sosefo Kautai on board. Northland first-five eighth Peter Breen added 3 penalties and despite Whetu Douglas’ score for Waikato, playmaker Dan Hawkins secured the great win with a last try (FT : 48-27).
The Talking Points :
Premiership Division : That was a fantastic Round for Canterbury with two wins and the Ranfurly Shield secured. Auckland are back in the race with Tasman coming back as well with a good win. Waikato are struggling now and it will be tough to make the play-offs.
Championship Division : Otago are still the leaders despite the Auckland loss. Wellington showed their class against Southland. North Harbour are still playing the game while Northland made History and won their first game of the season in an outstanding display.
Ranfurly Shield : The Waikato province is no longer the Ranfurly Shield holder. They were beaten at home by Canterbury who won the Trophy. Another province will have to beat them at home, in Christchurch, if they want to hold the Ranfurly Shield in coming weeks.
Conclusion :
In the Premiership conference, Canterbury are still leading the race with Auckland just behind. There will be a big battle between Taranaki, Counties Manukau and Tasman with 3 provinces for only two places as Waikato and Hawke’s Bay will struggle now to come back.
About the Championship Division, it is all about Wellington trying to top the standings. They have 3 games to play including two big home games against Taranaki and Waikato. There is an opportunity for them to finish at the top to have home advantage in play-offs.
The Ranfurly Shield has been claimed by Canterbury and the Crusaders province will have to defend it next Round with a game staged in Christchurch against North Harbour. The Northern province is playing good rugby at the moment so it should be very entertaining.
Another brillant Round ! Thanks very much !
Max.
Rugby, Only Rugby ! 