ITM CUP rd 3 2012

Tomorrow morning 2.35am Friday Aug 31 here in Houston TX
Hawkes Bay vs Counties Man
As much as I admire Tana Umaga, coach of Counties and like quite a few of their players, I am going with Hawkes Bay by 10.
I think they have a very good pack and I particularly like Zac Guildford. He is always lookig for work
TEAMS:
Hawke's Bay: 1. Adrian Barone, 2. Hika Elliot, 3. Ben Tameifuna, 4. Ross Kennedy, 5. Johan Schoonbee, 6. Adam Bradey, 7. Karl Lowe, 8. Mike Coman (capt), 9. Chris Eaton, 10. Daniel Waenga, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Andrew Horrell, 13. Tua Saseve, 14. Tino Nemani, 15. Nick McLennan.

Reserves: 16. Ash Dixon, 17. Brendon Edmonds, 18. Kieran Coll, 19. Tivaini Fomai, 20. Isaac Paewai, 21. Ihaia West, 22. Gillies Kaka.

Counties-Manukau:1. Simon Lemalu, 2. Mahonri Schwalger, 3. Matt Talaese, 4. Ronald Raaymakers, 5. Jimmy Tupou, 6. Adam Cathcart, 7. DJ Forbes (capt), 8. Fritz Lee, 9. August Pulu, 10. Baden Kerr, 11. Sherwin Stowers, 12. Bundee Aki, 13. Reynold Lee-Lo, 14. Frank Halai, 15. Tim Nanai-Williams.

Reserves: 16. Suliasi Taufalele, 17. Maka Tatafu, 18. Daniel Adongo, 19. Mark Selwyn, 20. David Bason, 21. Ray Laulala, 22. Tony Pulu.

Well Zac came off injured and Counties were ahead at half 30-20. The Magpies then proceeded to get a penalty and then a series of excellent controlled plays brought a good try.
bay looked good in forwards finally and they will be average during rest of tournament. They ended up winning 37-30. So, magpies by 10 was within the Superbru 5 point margin for the bonus point.

Canterbury vs North harbor
Am waiting to see teams

CANTERBURY v NORTH HARBOUR
Status: Crossover
When: Saturday September 1, 2.35pm
Where: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Keith Brown (Southland)
THE MAKE-UP of Canterbury’s line-up will be dependent on how they pull up after last night’s victory against Auckland.
The defending champions do welcome back All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett, who will look to get the better of Harbour skipper Ben Afeaki in the scrums.

Canterbury: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Willi Heinz , 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Luke Katene, 4 Dom Bird, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett .
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Paea Fa'anunu, 18 Joel Everson, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Telusa Veainu, 22 Rhys Llewelyn.
North Harbour: 15 Luke Devcich, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Cory Aporo, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Vili Fihaki, 7 Sam Hayes, 6 Irwin Finau, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Chris Smith, 3 Ben Afeaki (c), 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Salesi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 James Afoa, 18 Api Ratuniyarawa, 19 Malakai Ravulo, 20 Brenton Helleur, 21 James Semple, 22 Pita Ah Ki.

Great Canterbury team particularly now that Nasi Manu is back. He does so much work.
North Harbour have some quality players, but after watching canterbury get to every ruck in numbers vs auckland last time, I just can't see harbour having enough ball to present a challange.
Canterbury by 24

Game over and nasi did well and cantab slaughtered Harbour by 33-11


WAIKATO v NORTHLAND
Status: Crossover match
When: Saturday September 1, 5.35pm
Where: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Referee: Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri (Auckland)
WAIKATO WILL be buoyed by putting 40 points on North Harbour to kick off its campaign.
The Mooloos had some prime performers in that 42-22 win in Albany, though few better than halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow. They will fancy that they can put the squeeze on the Northland pack, which needs to feed more ball to the likes of Rene Ranger out wide.
Waikato blooded several youngsters in the opener, though flanker Marty Holah is out with a fractured ankle.


Waikato: 15 Trent Renata, 14 Tim Mikkelson, 13 Save Tokula, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Declan O'Donnell, 10 Sam Christie, 9 Tawera Kerr- Barlow, 8 Alex Bradley (c), 7 Zak Hohneck, 6 Matt Vant Leven, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Chris Middleton, 3 Ben May, 2 Marcel Cummings- Toone, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Kalem Chan Boon, 17 Ted Tauroa, 18 Sam Kilgour, 19 Jono Armstrong, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Piers Francis, 22 Glen Robertson.
Northland: 15 Fa'atoina Autagavaia, 14 Dan Caprice, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Derek Carpenter, 11 Mateo Malupo, 10 Ash Moeke, 9 Samisoni Fisilau, 8 Hale T-Pole, 7 Dan Pryor, 6 Dan Faleafa, 5 Bryce Williams (c),4 Jack Whetton, 3 Scott Vessey, 2 David Hall, 1 Matt Wallis.
Replacements: 16 Tone Kopelani, 17 Justin Davies, 18 William Whetton, 19 Jack Ram, 20 Rhyan Caine, 21 Orene Ai'i, 22 Tau Fa'asisila

Excellent Waikato team. Should win by 24


Northland put the hurt on Waikato and won 29-27

TARANAKI v TASMAN
Status: Crossover/Ranfurly Shield
When: Saturday September 1, 7.35pm
Where: Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Referee: Vinny Munro (Canterbury)
THE TASMAN Makos have never held the Ranfurly Shield, but one of their forerunners – Marlborough – held the famous Log o’ Wood briefly in 1973-74.
They will be throwing the kitchen sink at this one after lowering the defending ITM Cup champs 25-22 in the upset of round one action.
The good news for Taranaki is that All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore is being released for this match. The bad news is that fullback Andre Taylor is out for up to six weeks with a serious hand injury.

Taranaki: 15 Kurt Baker, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Willie Rickards, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Frazier Climo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Chris Walker, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Jason Eaton (c), 4 James Broadhurst, 3 Michael Bent, 2 Laurence Corlett, 1 Chris King.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Carl Carmichael, 18 Kane Barrett, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Brett Goodin, 21 James Marshall, 22 Jackson Ormond.
Tasman: 15 Robbie Malneek, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Bryce Heem, 12 Andrew Goodman (c), 11 James Lowe, 10 Hayden Cripps, 9 Jeremy Su'a, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Shane Christie, 6 Joe Wheeler, 5 Tevita Cavubati, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Sam Prattley.
Replacements: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Vernon Fredricks, 19 Tevita Kolomatangi, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Kieron Fonotia, 22 George Millar.
Referee: Vinny Munro

I like both of these teams. Taranaki have a slightly better scrum/pack and Beauden Barrett will create danger.
Plus Naki at home defending ranfurly Shield will give further impetus.
Even though naki have lost Andre Taylor to injury, I expect them to win by 10

Naki did well and so did Beauden. they won by 9 (49-40)

AUCKLAND v MANAWATU
Status: Crossover
When: Sunday September 2, 2.35pm
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Nick Briant (Bay of Plenty)
THERE IS a narrow margin for error in such a compacted competition.
Auckland, which had Piri Weepu debuting last night, is 1-1 after going down to Canterbury last night.
The Auks were impressive in patches against Hawke’s Bay last Thursday night in the 36-29 victory, but outplayed by the red and blacks. A fine day will aid their aim of expansive rugby.
The Turbos are seeking to bounce back from an 11-30 loss to Wellington.
Teams
 TEAMS:
Auckland: 1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 4. Sean Brookman, 5. Andrew van der Heijden, 6. Steve Luatua, 7. Nepia Fox-Matamua, 8. Peter Saili, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 11. George Moala, 12. Hadleigh Parkes (capt), 13. Malakai Fekitoa, 14. Ben Lam, 15.Charles Piutau.

Reserves: 16. Nathan Vella, 17. Angus Ta’avao, 18. Nathan Hughes, 19. Joe Edwards, 20. Auvasa Faleali’i, 21. Simon Hickey, 22. Lolagi Visinia.


Manawatu: 1. Eric Fry, 2. Rob Foreman, 3. David Te Moana, 4. Fraser Stone, 5. Michael Fitzgerald, 6. Nick Crosswell (capt), 7. Callum Gibbins, 8. Hamish Gosling, 9. Karl Bryson, 10. Junior Tomasi Cama, 11. George Tilsley, 12. Frank Bryant, 13. Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 14. Craig Clare, 15. Nehe Milner-Skudder.

Reserves: 16. Bryn Templeman, 17. Ma’afu Fia or Jared Brock, 18. Reece Robinson, 19. James Oliver or Antonio Kirikiri, 20. Papa Wharewera, 21. Jason Emery, 22. Lewis Marshall

Auckland probably tired particularly since they were steamrollered by canterbury last time out.
Quite frankly Auckland forwards were just not motivated. Cantab beat them to every ruck and with more numbers.
Well they have a chance to redeem themselves against a side that was easily beaten by wellington last time.
I think Auckland by at least 15. They will be a bit more banged up than turbos.
WELLINGTON  v SOUTHLAND
Status: Crossover match
When: Sunday September 2, 4.35pm
Where: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Matt Muir (Canterbury)
WELLINGTON HAD the luxury of fielding both Julian Savea and Victor Vito on Tuesday night against Hawke’s Bay.
The Lions came through that match after a second half comeback and they will be confident of inflicting more pain on the Stags, who were toothless – barring Kade Poki – in the 30-9 hiding inflicted by the Steelers.
Jeremy Thrush’s lineout battle with Josh Bekhuis should be fascinating.
This is the second of three Sunday 4.35pm matches for Southland.

Teams'
 TEAMS:
Wellington: 1. Arden David-Perrot, 2. Motu Matu’u, 3. Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, 4. Jeremy Thrush (capt), 5. Mark Reddish, 6. Lua Lokotui, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Genesis Mamea, 9. Frae Wilson, 10. Tim Bateman, 11. Matt Proctor, 12. Shaun Treeby, 13. Charlie Ngatai, 14. Alipate Leiua, 15. Jason Woodward.

Reserves: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Solomon Sakalia, 18. Whetu Henry, 19. Serge Lilo, 20. Kayne Hammington, 21. Joe Latta, 22. Ope Peleseuma.


Southland: 1. Jamie Mackintosh (capt), 2. Talemaitoga Taupati, 3. Nick Barrett, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 5 Alex Ryan, 6. Brayden Mitchell, 7. Alex Taylor, 8. Hoani MacDonald, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 10. Robbie Robinson, 11. Tim Cornforth, 12. Cardiff Vaega, 13. Nathan Hohaia, 14. Kade Poki, 15. Marty McKenzie.

Reserves: 16. Jason Rutledge, 17. Tukiterangi Raimona, 18. Ben Nally, 19. Michael Fatialofa, 20. Nemia Kenatale, 21. Matt Saunders, 22. Mark Wells.

Wellington have the quality players and should account for Stags by 18.


NORTH HARBOUR v COUNTIES MAN.
Status: Championship
When: Tuesday September 4, 7.35pm
Where: North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Referee: Glen Jackson (Bay of Plenty)
BOTH TEAMS are coming off short turnarounds, so how they rotate their squads could be decisive.
Coaches Liam Barry (North Harbour) and Tana Umaga (Counties) had contrasting openings to the ITM Cup. In 2011 the Steelers edged this fixture, 40-32 in Pukekohe.
The scrums were positives for both sides from round one, and there is plenty of pace and talent in the respective backlines.
Teams'



NORTHLAND v MANAWATU
Status: Championship
When: Wednesday September 5, 7.35pm
Where: Toll Stadium, Whangarei
Referee: Garratt Williamson (Wellington)
IN PALMERSTON North last season, the Turbos won this clash 30-22.
In 2010 the Taniwha won 77-8 in Whangarei. But all bets are off here in what shapes as a very tight encounter.
The Turbos have just over three days to recover from the Auckland match, while Northland has just four to get over Waikato.
Expect the ball to get plenty of air.