Exciting and Even Jubilee Cup in Store

If the just completed Swindale Shield, won by Petone in a last round thriller, is anything to go by, this year’s Jubilee Cup is shaping up as a real ripper. A clutch of teams were still in contention to win the Swindale round as recently as three weeks ago, and added into the potential outcome is the fact that Wellington NPC squad members will be taken from their respective teams come play-off time. The NPC starts the week of the final.

This will be a huge influence on the Jubilee Cup in 2004. To that end it will be an intense competition. Getting off to a winning start in the opening rounds will be a real advantage, as come the latter rounds the pressure will really go on those teams who find themselves behind the eight ball.

Picking a winner then would be a fortuitous task, but Petone are running rampant at present. They are playing with confidence aplenty with punishing prop Neemia Tialata and first five Riki Flutey especially in great form. Add in other personnel like experienced No. 8 Martin Leslie and try-scoring wing Willie Moala (nine tries this season) and Petone must be favourites.

Discount Marist St. Pats at your peril. MSP were the quiet achievers of the Swindale Shield, sneaking into third behind Petone and Poneke. Being a regular winner they have history on their side. A bruising forward pack led by blindside Matt Egan is well complemented by well-organised backs with centre Joe Wright there to steady the ship.

Defending champions Poneke will be strong. They will welcome the return of David Holwell, for the round robin at least, and midfielder Tane Tuipulotu is currently on fire. Depth is what sets both MSP and Poneke aside though and if injuries or fatigue take their toll on any side later in the season then these two clubs are best equipped to handle it.

Tawa could be the dark horses. Winning five of their last six games they have impressed. They have some exciting players in halfback Nigel Taumoli, hooker James Buckland, utility back Willie Lafaele and wing Junior Togia to call upon and if they can keep their winning ways then they will go close.

In contrast to Tawa is Hutt Old Boys Marist, who, after winning their opening six games, have gone off the boil of late. But if HOBM can recapture their winning formula, then they could also feature. Look for rising stars blindside Polonga Pedro and wing Michael Pehi to shine. However, they will continue to miss the outstanding Piri Weepu who is away with the New Zealand Under 21 side

Northern United, Avalon and Old Boys-University round out the Jubilee Cup contenders. All these sides are potentially strong and if they can spoil the more fancied teams then none can be discounted. Norths have plenty of young talent to call upon, while Avalon have experience aplenty in five-eighths Mano Flutey and Darren Kapene and OBU can call upon Hurricanes Ross Kennedy and Luke Andrews.

Steven White