Plenty at stake for teams in third round matches

Updated to include alterations Friday afternoon: There’s plenty at stake in tomorrow’s third round of the Jubilee Cup with teams looking to get themselves towards the top of the ladder, back on track, or even just some confidence back; and the same applies in the Hardham Cup as well. With the inclement weather over the past 24 hours looking to continue into tomorrow, it might be a case of who adapts to the conditions and real winter rugby the fastest.

Adding to the intrigue is that no Hurricanes players have been released to play ahead of Tuesday’s match against the Lions.

Note: This has been updated with alterations from WRFU

Premier Jubilee Cup

While there are four big matches once again, and each with that little bit extra about it, it’s hard to look past the matchup at Nairnville between unbeaten pair Old Boys-University and Hutt Old Boys Marist as the headline game of the round, and maybe a potential Jubilee Cup playoff preview.

The Goats have taken it up a notch from the Swindale campaign; not giving Norths an inch then being utterly ruthless in piling up 72 points against Petone last Saturday, and would be keen to send another emphatic message tomorrow. Despite injuries it’s still an embarrassment of riches that OBU has in terms of talent – their side tomorrow has just two changes with Te Wehi Wright restored to the left wing with Gavin Parker moving to fullback for Teegan Minkley. Reinforcements off the bench include Teariki Ben Nicholas, Naera Tipoki, and Manahi Moana.

HOBM have seen off both Ories and Wainuiomata to start their campaign but will be without both James O’Reilly and Joe ‘Apikatoa, with Ben Power and Rei Manaia stepping in, while Ope Peleseuma is another absentee; Tomasi Alosio moves into centre with Blake McGregor onto the wing.

These two last met in the penultimate round of the Swindale Shield, where Dale Sabbagh’s 78th minute penalty gave OBU a 38-36 win, and all but sealed that title for another season.

Across town at Evans Bay is the second rematch on the year of last year’s Jubilee Cup final with Marist St Pat's hosting Tawa. While MSP won the first – all the way back on Opening Day at Awakairangi by a commanding 31-13 – the feeling is that both sides have been building for a strong burst at this part of the season, and that tomorrows clash will be more of an indicator of where these two are at.

MSP have eked out a pair of two-point wins so far, doing just enough to emerge with the spoils over Petone and Ories. They’ve beefed up their loose trio with Matt Peni returning and Corey Lawrence dropping to the bench, while club veterans Fa’atonu Fili and Ryan Setefano return to the five-eighths positions – the latter after a lengthy time out with concussion. James Proctor and Vince Sakaria are amongst those absent tomorrow

Tawa have adopted a plug-and-play approach to the front row, with last weekend’s bench trio of Tolu Fahamokoia, Matt Treeby, and Taniela Koroi starting this week; for Koroi it’s his first start for the club since the corresponding round two years ago. TJ Fermanis returns to the openside with brother Hemi returning to lock. Kalim Kelemete is the only change in their backs with James So’oialo continuing in midfield, and there’s over 230 games for the club in experience on their bench tomorrow.

Not too far away two of the three winless sides clash at the Polo Ground. For both Oriental-Rongotai and Norths victory tomorrow is essential; a third loss to open the Jubilee Cup round would likely be the end of their chances, baring their own repeat of what Tawa did last year.

It’s an interesting Magpies selection for tomorrow, forced upon them by injuries and other unavailability. Luke Tau’alupe will start in the #7 jersey with Peneili Poasa on the other flank and Luca Rees in a monster loose trio. Andy Ellis returns at fullback, with Alex Ropeti pushing into midfield to fill the absence of Malo Tuitama. Norths will start Johnwhite Silva at the somewhat unfamiliar position of hooker tomorrow, with Ajay Va’alepu and Johnny Teleaga forming this week’s midfield combination. Parekura Lalaga, Antony Fox, and Mike Ioapo continue as the side’s loose forward unit, and the contest between them and their opposites will be an influential part of the contest.

The side’s last meet a month ago, where Norths 23-19 win at the JCS put an end to Ories hopes of a maiden Swindale crown.

The only game within Wellington city limits is at the head of the harbour where neighbours Petone and Wainuiomata go at it once again, this time at the Rec.

The Villagers face a number of problems; they need to rebound from last weekend’s hammering at the hands of OBU, avoid falling to a third successive loss, and have just one game at home left in the round-robin after tomorrow. Their side tomorrow has Eugene Smith and Logan Gibbons returning to the front row, while Bruce Kauika-Petersen starts at openside in the absence of talisman Mateaki Kafatolu. Losi Filipo returns from Samoan U20 duty to join his former Silverstream teammates Lester Maulolo and Jarrod Adams in the three-quarter line with another youngster in Piri Paraone restored to first-five.

Wainuiomata will be looking to both repeat their 28-17 win from Anzac Day and keep pace with the head of the pack, but have rung some changes after last weekend’s loss to HOBM. Jason Love comes in on the wing with Erich Tuisila moving back to fullback to cover for the stricken Tau Mamea, with Waiariki Koia and John Monu forming the halves pairings. Up front Jalan Ferris and David Va’a come into their starting pack.

Premier 2 Hardham Cup

Having seen off both Poneke and Wellington in the opening rounds, the Upper Hutt Rams face one of the two winless sides at home at Maidstone tomorrow in Paremata-Plimmerton looking to keep their place at the head of the table. The Rams have bracketed a number of players, though Tynan Barrett continues at first-five, Troy Mohr starts at centre and Mitchell Markov will return from injury from the bench.

Pare-Plim are still looking for their first win of the year, but at the very least would be looking for an improvement on their 8-52 defeat on their earlier visit to Maidstone this season. Jayden Keats’ return at halfback is the only backline change with James Dean, Tala Fruean, and Taisson Lealaisalanoa all coming back into the starting tight five.

Coming off their win over Poneke Johnsonville host Avalon at Helston for the second time this year, undoubtedly looking to at least repeat their 26-17 win from earlier in the year. The Hawks are starting to gel and find their way, and their supporters will hope that not only can they finish off this year, but carry that into next season. They’re largely unchanged with Kane Thompson taking a seat on the bench this week with Eamon Carr starting and Kalolo Kalolo and Romu Senileba again swapping roles.

Avalon finally ticked one off in the wins column last weekend over Pare-Plim and continue to get players back from their at times lengthy injury list and are able to name a full 22 on Friday for the first time in several weeks; though one name missing from that is Scott Waldrom’s.

Perhaps surprisingly it’s Poneke who are propping up the table after two rounds after losses to Upper Hutt and Johnsonville. They do however return to the surrounds of Kilbirnie Park tomorrow, with Wellington making the short trip around a couple of corners from Hataitai. The Streetkids are probably already in must-win territory if they have hopes of lifting the Hardham Cup under this year’s format.

Their side tomorrow has an unchanged forward pack – Galu Taufale is away and will make his Samoan debut this weekend – while in the backs Pakai Turia moves into first-five and Michael Sage back to fullback. Despite last weekend’s reverse at the hands of the Rams, the Axemen have kept faith with their lineup with just two changes; Tom Robinson replaces Alex Dalzell at lock with Sam Church doing likewise for Tony Smith on the right wing. Poneke won their earlier meeting by 59-26, also at Kilbirnie Park.

All seven matches get underway at 2.45pm.

Premier Reserve Ed Chaney and HD Morgan Memorial

Like their Premiers to follow, the early game at Nairnville Park between OBU and HOBM is a matchup of unbeaten sides and each would like to make something of a statement at this stage of the competition. The two of course met in the penultimate round of the Harper Lock in what was a virtual decider with the Goats victorious on that day, something that the Eagles would like to return.

Elsewhere the third unbeaten side – Tawa – face MSP on Kilbirnie #3, Petone and Wainuiomata clash at the Rec, and winless pair Ories and Norths meet at the Polo Ground to complete the slate of Ed Chaney matches.

In the HD Morgan Memorial the Upper Hutt Rams and Avalon have skipped clear at the top after two rounds, and tomorrow are at home to Paremata-Plimmerton and away to Johnsonville respectively. The third game is on Kilbirnie #2 with Poneke hosting Wellington, who are still looking for their first win on the season.

All seven matches kickoff at 1pm.

Women's

Tomorrow sees the start of the second set of matches in both women’s divisions with home field reversed from the earlier encounters. In the Victoria Tavern Trophy third-placed Marist St Pat's and second-placed Norths take to Te Whaea and Wainuiomata are at home at William Jones against Old Boys-University. Leaders Oriental-Rongotai have the bye.

In Division 2 there’s a Hutt Valley derby as Hutt Old Boys Marist host Petone the Hutt Rec, while Poneke and Paremata-Plimmerton have been relocated from Kilbirnie Park to the Ian Galloway Park Cage. Tawa has the bye.

All four matches kickoff at or slightly after 11.30am

Colts Division 1 John E Kelly Memorial

It’s a split Colts round, with two matches tonight and the second pair tomorrow. One of the joint-leaders through two rounds – Oriental Rongotai – are in action tonight when they take to Te Whaea against Norths, who currently occupy the bottom-place on the ladder. The other match is at Alex Moore where defending grade champions OBU Green face HOBM in an early appetiser to the two club’s series of meetings this weekend. Both matches get underway at 7.35pm.

In the two matches tomorrow the other joint-leader – Tawa – head into the city to meet MSP on the St Pats artificial at 1.30pm, while Petone, still unbeaten on the year but held without a bonus point for the first time this season by OBU last weekend, take on Paremata-Plimmerton at the Rec at 1pm.

Under 85kg Division 1 Paul Potiki Shield

The championship round of the lightweights sees first-round JC Bowl winners Wellington get their attempt to do the double underway with a trek to the seaside to face Eastbourne at HW Shortt. Defending grade champions Tawa start their campaign with a home game against promoted side Kapiti at Redwood, with the other side that has been elevated to Division 1 – first-round Div 2 Phillip Wiggins Trophy winners Poneke – also starting away from home against HOBM at the Hutt Rec. These three matches are all at 2.45pm, with the fourth between Avalon and Johnsonville at Fraser Park at 1pm.

First Grade Division 1 Johnsonville Centennium Cup

The First Graders were due to start their championship round, but both divisions have become casualties of the weather and resulting ground restrictions.

College WelTec Premiership

The feature clash of the fifth round of matches is at Wellington College where the home side hosts unbeaten joint-leaders Scots in what could be playoff preview. College saw off Rongotai last weekend in their annual clash, while there were plenty of points scored in Scots’ match with St Pats Town.

The other joint-leader – Silverstream – might have be wary of Tawa when they travel there, but on form they would be hot favourites, while Rongotai will also look to make a couple of places up on the ladder when they host bottom-side Hutt Valley High. An interesting clash might be the fourth of the 2.30pm kickoffs where the other two sides in the bottom-three, Porirua and Wairarapa, meet in Porirua’s east.

The first game of the day however is at the St Pats artificial at 1.30pm, where Town will look to put their creaking season back on track but face the visit of Kapiti who sit fourth, and would dearly love to take down another of the big city teams after beating Rongotai already.