Plenty To Play For In Hardham Cup

Look out for an exciting Hardham Cup in 2004. This year the incentive for the four bottom placed teams from the Swindale Shield, Upper Hutt, Western Suburbs, Oriental-Rongotai and Johnsonville to perform is stronger than in recent years, as a fifth club, Rimutaka joins the fray. If Rimutaka can finish above at least one of these sides on the points table, then they will be playing in next season’s Swindale Shield, and one of those four sides below them will be relegated down a division.

Recent Hardham Cups have featured solely ‘B’ teams from Jubilee Cup sides in conjunction with the four worst Swindale teams. ‘B’ teams are ineligible to play in the same competition as ‘A’ sides from the same club.

Interestingly, this rule will also be applying for the make-up of this competition. Oriental-Rongotai ‘B’, who won the first round Harper Lock Shield, have had to miss out, as the Ories ‘A’ side must take precedence. However, ‘B’ teams from three clubs playing in the Jubilee Cup, Marist St. Pats, Poneke and Old Boys-University have earned the right to join the above five ‘A’ teams.

Rimutaka will be a welcome addition to the Hardham Cup. They have made a steady rise through the grades in recent seasons and come off the back off a solid Harper Lock Shield, where they finished third (second-placed qualifiers) and had the best for and against scoring record. Additionally, They also have a handful of Welllington age group players in their ranks.

Of the big guns, Wests and Upper Hutt look most likely to feature come finals time. Both Wests and Upper Hutt had disappointing Swindale campaigns, despite both being more than capable of upsetting anyone on their day. Wests can call upon a wealth of experience, with captain and loose forward Hemi Pou a mainstay of the Roosters pack and reliable veterans in second five Scott Leighton, wing Tristan Meo and fullback Toby Robson to steady the ship.

Upper Hutt have talent to burn. Versatile flanker Nathan Russell is surrounded in the forwards by young guns Martin Asiata and Justin Va’a, while the backline can be potent. Fullback Cory Jane has scored seven tries so far this season and centre Cory Aporo and utility back Chris Puketapu are a handful for any defence.

Ories’ strength could also be their weakness this year. With Wellington NPC players unavailable at the business end of the season, wing Roy Kinikinilau, centre Ma’a Nonu and fullback Justin Wilson could all possibly be taken out of the squad. However, prepare for action aplenty if the lethal trio are playing together.

Johnsonville will be, as always, relying on inside back Corey Burt. Burt has scored 118 points so far this season, including five tries and he is also excellent on defence. Johnsonville’s forwards always try hard, and given some much needed confidence they could disrupt.