Mammoth Semi-finals Saturday in club rugby

Can HOBM steamroll Norths from fourth position to qualify for next week's Jubilee Cup final? OBU and Ories meet in the other semi-final. 

It’s a mammoth Saturday across the grounds as the major grades hit their semi-finals. All 28 teams involved in playoff action will be looking for the win to put them through to next Saturday’s Finals Day at the Petone Rec, and it will be expected that it’ll be as tough and tension-filled as any other playoff weekend in years past.  

Premier Jubilee Cup  

Going into last weekend the four semi-finalists were known, but who was to play who was yet to be sorted. With that resolved the focus switches to tomorrow’s matches, where two will emerge from to contest next week’s decider at the Petone Rec.   There is radio coverage of both matches with Adam Julian and Brad Hudson calling the match from Porirua Park on Radio Sport (1503AM) with Gordon Noble-Campbell doing the same at the Hutt Rec on Te Upoko (1161AM).  

Norths (1) vs Hutt Old Boys Marist (4)  

For the first time since 2010 Porirua Park will play host to a Norths Jubilee Cup semi-final, and as fate will have it they’ll face the same opposition that they did that day in Hutt Old Boys Marist.   As with OBU last year, Norths will be looking for the clean-sweep of trophies having added the Andy Leslie Trophy (for topping the Jubilee round-robin) and the Bill Brien Challenge Trophy to the Swindale Shield won earlier in the year, and victory tomorrow will put them in their first championship decider since 2011. They are able to bring back big boppers Mike Ioapo and Faifili Levave for tomorrow’s encounter while Quaid Martin-Laumatia and youngsters Kienan Higgins and Junior Time-Tautoa are also restored to the starting lineup. On their bench are Perry Hayman and Daley Harper, who along with skipper Parekura Lalaga are the only returnees from that 2010 team.  

Despite a litany of injuries, defections, and other absences the Eagles have been there or thereabouts all season which is something of a testament to their character and the abilities of their coach Kent Harris. They will need to rebound from last week’s defeat against Poneke but equally won’t be fazed by being on the road for this having won away against MSP at the same stage last year. However, just five players who started that game last year will again tomorrow; 200-gamer Simon Malaeulu, loosies Tasi Fidow and Lise Soloa, and backs Glen Walters and Francis Tanuvasa, while the man who kicked them to that victory – Brandyn Laursen – is an absentee for very different reasons. They do however have two players they didn’t in halfback Sheridan Rangihuna (suspended this time 12 months ago) and the mercurial Chase Tiatia, while Tomasi Alosio has rushed back from representing Samoa at the RWC Sevens to take a place on the bench.  

The highlight contest tomorrow is surely in the loose where the Norths trio of Lalaga, Levave, and Du’Plessis Kirifi have the names, but the HOBM group of Fidow, Soloa, and the distinctively dreadlocked Jordan Gillies have been an effective unit all season long. There will also be interest in how two former Silverstream stars – Higgins and Tiatia – match up in midfield, and how the young and relatively inexperienced Eli Moata’a goes up against the centurion Walters in guiding their sides around the park.  

By quirk of the draw their earlier meetings this year were both at this same venue. HOBM were comfortable victors back in March by 47-17, while only a death-knock try four weeks ago saw Norths squeeze home 35-34.  

Old Boys-University (2) vs Oriental-Rongotai (3)  

As with last year OBU have chosen to take their home field advantage to the road, only this time that’s the Hutt Rec. That worked out well for them last year, beating Tawa at Porirua Park, but tomorrow its Oriental-Rongotai that stand between them and a third Jubilee Cup final in four ways. For their part, Ories haven’t made the decider since 2013 when they lost to Tawa on this very same ground.   The Goats will be smarting after having handed over another two pieces of silverware to Norths last week and will be very keen to hold on to the one they still do. Their side tomorrow has just three changes from last week; Jonathan Fuimaono and Zeke Sopoaga return to the front row with youngster Tai Neli back on the right wing after missing most of the Jubilee Cup round so far. They will be missing some experience though through Tomasi Palu’s enforced retirement and the absence of Finnbarr Kerr-Newell, and with only seven players who started last year’s semi-final doing so again tomorrow.  

Heading into the closing of the Swindale Shield it seemed inevitable that Ories would be headed for the Hardham Cup. However they won three of their last four to make it – aided by Petone’s inability to get the one point they needed – and since then rattled off wins over MSP, Poneke, and Norths to make the playoffs. Last weekend’s late concession to Tawa will stick in the craw somewhat as it cost them this match being played at Polo, but they’ll relish the better underfoot conditions at the Hutt Rec as much as their opposition will. Ories have, perhaps predictably, remained consistent with their selections and only made three changes from last week’s side with Whetu Henry and John Tuia returning to the pack while Malachai Unasa has been given the nod on the left wing.  

The obvious place to start is up front where on one side Fuimaono will pack down against NZ U20 Xavier Numia while on the other the in-form Alex Barendregt will deal with Ories warhorse Henry. The option taking of respective first-fives Dale Sabbagh and Hayden Whelan will be crucial and it will be seen if either team can get their strike weapons – Te Wehi Wright, Neli, and Sam Reid for OBU and Malo Tuitama, Unasa, and Andy Ellis into space. And both sides have plenty of thump they can add from the bench.   OBU have won each of their meetings so far this season. The 48-12 margin at Polo in the Swindale was probably the low-point of the Magpies’ campaign, but it was a much closer run thing at Nairnville four weeks ago with the Goats edging matters 18-17.  

For the third successive year Nick Hogan and Vincent Ringrose will control the two semi-finals. Hogan will be at the Hutt Rec, with Ringrose at Jerry Collins Stadium.  

Premier 2 Hardham Cup  

Wainuiomata (1) vs Johnsonville (4)  

Despite an underwhelming Swindale campaign that saw them finish 9th and miss out on the Jubilee Cup for the first time since 2010 Wainuiomata have made almost every post a winner in the Hardham Cup with five wins and a draw so far. They’ll be looking to maintain that in tomorrow’s match against Johnsonville with the Hawks having ridden three opening wins in this part of the campaign and a little bit of luck (a Wellington win last weekend would have ended their season) to make it to here. However their meeting two weeks ago was a 46-36 scoreline and if similar happens tomorrow it could go either way.  

The home side has a solidly veteran look to it with long-serving players John Monu, Marvin Karawana, Michael Lealava’a, Uale Mai, Teru Time, and Bevan Clark all included along with Peter Umaga-Jensen, while Ben Tupuola, Isaiah Mamea, and TJ Va’a are all on their bench. Johnsonville have a handful of changes, and will lean of their experienced heads – Jeff Makepelu, Matt Mullany, Eammon Tawhiwhirangi, and Api Naikatini – to plot them a path to next week.    

Petone (2) vs Upper Hutt Rams (3)  

It may feel like a something of a lost season for Wellington’s most successful club, but Petone will still look to finish on a high on home turf next week. Before that though they have to get past the Upper Hutt Rams tomorrow, and on the basis of their last meeting two weeks ago where the Rams could, and perhaps should, have won that task is easier said than done.  

There is good news for the Villagers with Mateaki Kafatolu and Glen Angus returning from injury along with Tupou Sopoaga; though out the back injury has claimed Willie Tufui this week. Logan Henry retains the halfback jersey ahead of Carlos Price, and Marcus Roil likewise with the captaincy despite the presence of the other three players who have had role so far this year. The Rams will again look to their loose trio of Josh Hunt, Daniel Schrijvers, and Jack Wright, while Nua Foa-Hunt at first-five is their only backline change from that meeting two weeks ago.  

Jamie Fairmaid has the whistle at the Petone Rec, with Colin Te Poe doing the honors at William Jones.    

Women’s Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy

Oriental-Rongotai (1) vs Paremata-Plimmerton (4)  

The defending grade champions have been in ominous form in recent weeks and will be warm favourites to make it through to their sixth consecutive final. While the scale of the task that faces Pare-Plim is enormous with Ories having won their two matches so far this year by 44-10 and 39-10, the Ngati Toa side is unlikely to be undaunted about it and will throw everything they have at it.  

Norths (2) vs Petone (3)  

Norths are looking to complete the season double having already claimed the first-round Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy. However they won’t need reminding that they haven’t made it past this stage the last two years, dipping out to Ories (when Wainuiomata won the title) and then were sensationally upset by OBU last year. They’ve already beaten Petone in both encounters (27-17 and 32-22), but given that recent history Petone will be the underdogs in with a real shout tomorrow.  

Cameron Alexander (Ories v Pare-Plim) and Monique Dalley (Norths v Petone) are the two respective referees.  

The Division 2 Izzy Ford Trophy will be played out next weekend between Old Boys-University and Hutt Old Boys Marist, but before then they have their final round-robin matches away against Avalon at Fraser Park and Poneke on Kilbirnie #2 respectively. Both are at the normal time of 11.30am.    

Premier Reserve  

In the Division 1 Ed Chaney Cup the matchups are Oriental-Rongotai (1) vs Poneke (4) at the Polo Ground, and Marist St Pats (2) vs Norths (3) at Evans Bay. Ories – who only finished 7th in the Harper Lock Shield – wrapped up top spot by beating Tawa while Poneke emerged from the logjam to claim the final spot by beating HOBM 32-16. Harper Lock Shield winners MSP are after the season double and will be rested after having the final round bye and take on the team they beat to the HLS title in Norths who will be looking to avenge the two losses they’ve suffered so far this year.  

The Division 2 HD Morgan Memorial semi-finals pit Petone (1) against Wainuiomata (4) at the Petone Rec with Johnsonville (2) hosting the Upper Hutt Rams (3) at Helston. Petone – unable to try and defend their Ed Chaney title from last year – had already wrapped up top spot before last weekend’s loss to Johnsonville while Wainuiomata prevailed in a virtual quarter-final over Wellington just to make it. Johnsonville will be buoyed after taking down Petone, with the Rams coming in after beating Pare-Plim.   All four semi-finals are 12.30pm kickoffs. John Ballingall (MSP v Norths) and Ryan McLean (Ories v Poneke) will referee the two Ed Chaney contests, with your correspondent (Scott MacLean – Petone v Wainuiomata) and Scott Marriner (Johnsonville vs Upper Hutt Rams) having the two HD Morgan matches.    

Colts  

At the sharp end the Division 1 John E Kelly Memorial semi-finals have Norths (1) hosting Old Boys-University Green (4) at Porirua Park and Hutt Old Boys Marist (2) taking on first-round winners Marist St Pats (3) at the Hutt Rec. It’s been an intriguing Colts competition so far, with both away teams tomorrow having to overcome a handicap essentially imposed on them from the points deduction penalties imposed on them from their abandoned match a few weeks back. Norths and OBU have split their two meetings this year and their semi-final has the look of being a real cracker while MSP have beaten HOBM in both their meetings, including last weekend.  

The two Division 2 Vic Calcinai Memorial matches have Oriental-Rongotai (1) and OBU Black (4) at the Polo Ground after both emphatically assured their places last weekend, while Poneke (2) and Wainuiomata (3) meet for the second week in a row only this time it’s at Kilbirnie Park.  

Ben van Berkel (Norths v OBU Green) and Matt Thomas (HOBM v MSP) will referee the Division 1 matches with Ethan Loveridge (Ories v OBU Black) and Dennis Sharman (Poneke v Wainuiomata) handling the Division 2 contests. All four matches are timed for a 12.30pm kickoff.    

If any of the semi-finals above are tied at full-time, then ten minutes extra time in a semi-final will be played. If still tied after this then the winner will be the side that scored the most tries, or if this is also equal then who won the head-to-head match between the two sides in the round-robin.     

College  

The penultimate round of the College Premiership is already underway with Silverstream’s 52-10 win over Town on Wednesday assuring them of a home semifinal. Tomorrow Scots can do the same when they face St Bernard’s away in Lower Hutt while Wellington College can complete the top-four picture with a bonus point win away against bottom-side Porirua. In the other two matches Kapiti are at home against Rongotai, and Hutt International travel over the Remutaka’s to Wairarapa College.  

In Premier 2 there is a top-of-the-table clash between leaders and newly-minted Co-ed Cup champions Aotea and the Silverstream 2nd XV in Porirua. Hutt Valley HS should keep pace when they host Paraparaumu while Tawa venture to Upper Hutt. Onslow hosts the Wellington College 2nds, Tawa travel to Upper Hutt (1pm), and the St Pats Town 2nds are on Evans Bay against bottom-side Taita.   Unless stated all matches are 2.30pm kickoffs.