Four teams unbeaten in ITM Cup

Four teams remain unbeaten in the ITM Cup, while several others including defending Premiership champions Taranaki are in danger of slipping off the pace after three completed rounds of the competition.

Both Crusaders region teams are sitting pretty atop the Premiership division, with the Tasman Makos easing to their third straight bonus point win at home on Thursday night against the Manawatu Turbos and the Canterbury Lambs defeating Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday.

First five-eighth Marty Banks scored 21 points to bring up 50 for the season and blindside flanker Peter Samu scored a brace for the Makos in their 41-21 win over Manawatu. The loss was the Turbo’s third straight defeat of the Premiership competition.

Celebrating 30 years since the ‘Match of the Century’ between the sides, right wing Johnny McNicholl scored two tries for Canterbury in their Supporters’ Cup 27-21 win over Auckland.

In the Championship division, the Hawke’s Bay Magpies and the Wellington Lions are setting the pace. The Magpies beat Counties Manukau 35-11, four tries to one, in Pukekohe on Friday to earn their third straight bonus point win. Hawke’s Bay return home to Napier to defend the Ranfurly Shield next Saturday.

The Wellington Lions battled to a bonus point win 29-0 win over Northland at a wet, sparse Westpac Stadium on Saturday night. In truly diabolical conditions, the Lions scored two tries in the first quarter and then added further tries at the start and finish of the second half.

The match that preceded this one was probably the upset of the round, with Otago charging back in the second half to score four tries to pip Taranaki 34-27. A draw seemed to be on the cards, but Otago scored in injury time to take the win. The injury hit Bulls are now in danger of doing a Wellington and falling right away.

On Sunday, Waikato were strong against Bay of Plenty at Tauranga Domain, flying to a 43-10 win over their Chiefs region adversaries. Halfback Brad Weber scored two tries.

North Harbour lock Hayden Triggs celebrated his 100th ITM Cup with a last-gasp 26-25 win over the Southland Stags in Invercargill. North Harbour came back from a halftime deficit to kick a winning penalty with the last play of the game.

The ITM Cup continues this coming Wednesday night when a desperate Taranaki host Counties Manukau in New Plymouth.