Jubilee Cup Semi-final Previews

Jubilee Cup fans who missed Petone's thrilling 39-34 last-gasp victory over top qualifier MSP last week won't want to miss their return semi-final match-up at Evans Bay Park. Experienced winger Willie Moala capped an all-action encounter by scoring the match-winning try in the shadow of fulltime to set up a mouth watering playoff duel between the two teams this week.

Despite the last round hiccup to their old rivals, MSP are back to their well-oiled best in 2007, the Red Machine finishing fourth behind Northern United in the Swindale Shield and qualifying first for the semi-finals and winning the Andy Leslie Trophy with a week to spare.

In a 10-game winning streak prior to the last round loss to Petone, MSP have been the quiet achievers of the competition. MSP have relied on organised teamwork and stout defence rather than swashbuckling attack to win the close games, winning their opening five first round matches without securing any bonus points. This will be their first top four appearance in four years, after making the playoffs seven seasons in a row prior to 2003.

Petone's form has been patchier this year, the 2005 champions getting up late to finish sixth in the first round and holding on for fourth in the just completed round robin. Nevertheless, the Villagers can call upon a strong set-piece orientated pack and speed to burn out wide to match the home side. Petone also won their other clash this year with MSP, prevailing 22-8 in round five of the Swindale Shield.

Northern United v Hutt Old Boys Marist

There promises to be a bumper crowd at Porirua Park for Northern United's Jubilee Cup semi-final against Hutt Old Boys Marist. There always is when the local team turns out for the big games and there have been a fair few of them over recent seasons. But the Porirua faithful haven't lost their enthusiasm for Norths, who are playing for the right to defend their Jubilee Cup title and capture the Swindale Shield-Cup double for the second year row.

This is also their fifth consecutive semi-final since in 2003 and their fourth in a row at Porirua Park where they have won the previous three, beating Petone 15-8 in 2004, Upper Hutt 26-21 in 2005 and Petone again last year 56-17. Though having eight players in the mix with the Vodafone Wellington Lions, Norths still have formidable depth and experience to call upon in this knockout round, making for a tough assignment for the visiting HOBM.

The Eagles have proven themselves as dangerous opponents over the past two seasons, bringing their share of recent big game experience to fortress Porirua. They find themselves in a similar situation to last year when they also qualified third and travelled to Kilbirnie for their semi-final, losing 15-13 to Poneke.

Powerful up front, strong defensively and with the best halfback - first five-eighth combination in the competition in Nick Risdon and Jon Bentley (if fit) they will push the home side. For Norths, look out for a big game from lock and captain Tim Faleafaga and for wings Sinoti To'omaga and Francis Seumanutafa (14 tries this year) to have a say.

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