Uncertainty surrounding home semi-final for Taranaki

Photo above: Yarrow Stadium could be empty on semi-final weekend, including the stadium's western stand, as Taranaki's efforts to host a home semi-final might depend on other results. 

Whilst Taranaki cruised into the top four in the premiership standings after beating Wellington on Sunday afternoon, a home semi-final isn’t guaranteed for the 2014 champions.  

The win in the capital secured the amber and blacks second spot with 32 points behind competition leaders Canterbury who are streaks ahead on 40 points, out of a possible 45 so far.  

But with Counties Manukau, Auckland and Tasman breathing down Taranaki’s neck on 29, 28 and 27 points respectively, Thursday night’s game between Taranaki and Auckland could effectively be a quarter-final. Surely a bonus point win for either side would secure a home semi-final?  

It is, however, dependent on other results with Counties Manukau yet to play Canterbury on Saturday afternoon, Tasman could have two wins in the next week against North Harbour on Wednesday night and Southland on Sunday afternoon to be promoted to second and Auckland could have their fate determined on Thursday night in New Plymouth.  

Waikato, who are sixth on 25 points, could also still be in the game with one more game approaching against Wellington in the capital – but their season may have already been wiped.

Traditionally by now the NPC’s top four would have been secured, albeit perhaps waiting for one or two placings but this year the competition seems like it’s been the tightest ever.  

However, in the championship division Wellington and Otago have secured a home semi-final spot with Manawatu (third), North Harbour (fourth) and Bay of Plenty still to battle out for the remaining two spots.  

Manawatu host Otago on Friday night, North Harbour play on Wednesday against Tasman and again on Sunday against Northland while Bay of Plenty will play their final round game against Hawkes Bay in the ‘battle-of-the-bays’ on Saturday afternoon.  

It might not be until Sunday afternoon when we will finally see who is playing where in semi-finals action, which will be a nervous wait for some teams in the competition.  

Our predictions:  

Semi-finals (Premiership)  
Canterbury v Auckland, Christchurch
Tasman v Taranaki, Nelson  

Semi-finals (Premiership)  
Wellington v North Harbour, Wellington
Otago v Manawatu, Dunedin