Hardham Cup Semi-final Previews

In a repeat of last year's Hardham Cup final, Wainuiomata will be looking to reverse the 2006 result against Upper Hutt, and develop that killer instinct. It is that instinct, exhibited at times especially by prodigal son Piri Weepu, which has led to some good wins - including one over eventual Jubilee Cup semi-finalists Norths back in early April.

But if Wainui have a bogey team, it is Upper Hutt. The Hutt team has drawn much of its confidence this year from their victories over Wainui. Upper Hutt managed to secure their first win of the season against Wainui in round five of the Swindale Shield with a match-winning try to Daniel Beckett on full-time.

And despite some injuries and disappointing losses, Hutt's ability to get up and defeat Wainuiomata has been consistent, also grinding out an 18 - 13 win in round one of the Hardham Cup. This victory set the tone for their Hardham Cup campaign which saw them drop only one game to Avalon, and pull off another trademark hard-fought victory against Ories two weeks ago to secure this home semifinal.

They have scored the most points in the Hardham Cup this year (280 from seven games, along with Avalon), but Wainuiomata has the best defensive record, letting in only 79 points. There is massive flair in both backlines with John Monu and Lewis Marshall top try-scorers for Wainui and Ben Aiona and Brett Piggot racking up 39 points between them in Upper Hutt's walk-over of Northern United last week.

Oriental-Rongotai v Avalon

The terms "top" and "bottom" qualifier will mean nothing when Ories and Avalon run out onto the Polo Grounds this Saturday. Avalon held a four year winning streak over Ories until round one of this year's Hardham Cup, an Ories victory at Fraser Park by 17 - 11. But Avalon has sunk from its regular position in the top-half of the Jubilee Cup, and they won't want to sink any further.

They have had little problem, even in this year's Swindale Shield, coming to the Polo Grounds stronghold and pillaging the points by a margin of 11 - 5 in late April. But fell unexpectedly to Johnsonville in round five. With Andrew Turner back at fullback and Siu Katoa in try-scoring form, Avalon should have some runners available to rival Ories' impressive stable. Avalon's leader from half-back Peter Sciascia is also sure to have a battle on his hands with Johnny Sola shining for Ories recently.

But even Ories supporters would agree the key for Avalon will be to try and contain the possible threat from Tuma'ai, Jona Tuitoga and company. For Ories the winning is in forward domination, and a platform for their groundbreaking loosies and likely centres, Samson Nonu and Paulo Aukuso.

Their performance improved last week against Johnsonville, after Upper Hutt managed to apply pressure and come away with a late win the week before. If Ories continue to string together backline skill with a percentage game and hold their nerve, they will be very hard to stop this year.

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