Rugby: Southern expected to be too strong

Southern flanker Adam Knight tries to escape the clutches of University A first five-eighth...
Southern flanker Adam Knight tries to escape the clutches of University A first five-eighth Fletcher Smith at the University Oval last week. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
Dunedin premier rugby is scheduled for both today and Sunday. Alistair McMurran looks at today's games.

SOUTHERN V ZINGARI-RICHMOND
Where:
Bathgate Park.

A confident Southern team is expected to beat Zingari-Richmond today after retaining the V G Cavanagh Memorial Trophy when it beat University A 24-3 before the Easter break. Southern is sitting fourth on the table and could be in the top two if it can down a Zingari-Richmond team that is poised to cause a few upsets in the next few rounds.

Southern: Ben Patston, Bryce Hosie, Teihorangi Walden, Hanipale Galo, Byron Dodge, Josh Ioane, Josh Walden, TJ Ioane, Adam Knight, Ryan Thompson, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Scanlan, Ricky Riccitelli, Warren Moffat. Reserves: Mike Mata'afa, Richie Reed, Simon Knight, Ben Carpenter, Andrew Sanders, Jon McCarthy, Logan Smith.

Zingari-Richmond: Stephen Scoles, Nick Loan, Seremia Tagicakibau, Lachie Moore, Nathan Roberts, Willie Ripia, Josh Botting, Chris Bell, Steven Roberts, Tom Charteris, Colin Enright, Joe Latta, Chris Preddy, Masiu Akauloa, Alex Nicholson. Reserves: Jesse Muir, Marcel Taani, Jess Clarke, Joe Gregory, Shaun Driver, Michael Paulin, Tuhoro Christie.

KAIKORAI V UNIVERSITY A
Where:
Bishopscourt.

Kaikorai was tipped off the top of the table when comprehensively beaten 34-7 by Taieri at Peter Johnstone Park last week. It will face another tough game against a University A side team that desperately needs a win to get into semifinals contention.

Kaikorai: Sean Conner, Dan Hyndman, Danny van der Voort, Logan Moore, Bryce Morgan, Cam Rutherford, Matt Te Tana, Nathan Hull, Lee Allan, James Coutts, Willie Miller, Simon Grant, Lachlan Landels, Rob Griffiths, George Hendry. Reserves: Ryan Williams, Ben Martin/Nuu Vaeau, Dean Griffiths, Jarrod Goodson, Johnny Appleby, Dan Dorgan, Rob Jordan.

University: Sam Aitken, Gavin Stark, Matt Faddes, Shea Tucker, Sam McLachlan, Fletcher Smith, Wai Koia, Sione Teu, Nick O'Connell, Jack Wolfreys, Dillon Hunt, Hamish Walker, Tama Tuirirangi, Sam Sturgess, Angus Williams. Reserves: Liam Privett, Angus Cameron, Emeka Iloga, Sam Ellis, Harry Corkill, Mitchell Purvis.

ALHAMBRA-UNION V TAIERI
Where:
North Ground.

Alhambra-Union will be keen to retain its unbeaten record in the top-of-the-table clash with Taieri today. The accurate goal kicking of Peter Breen could be decisive for Alhambra-Union. Taieri will rely on the skills of midfield back Michael Collins, who scored two tries against Kaikorai.

Alhambra-Union: Corey McFadzean, Ken Hellier, Noah Cooper, Ratu Bishop, Zeb Laqekoro, Peter Breen, Caleb Gray, Tyron Pelasio, Ben Pereira, Brandon Olsen, Mike Colville, Sean Boult, Matias Dias, Tom Viggo, Tana Petley. Reserves: Harley Iraia, Max Collett, Ben Traill, Gregor Croudis, Tom Barnsley, Colin Davies, Ben Johnson.

Taieri: Kori Rupene, Todd Ford, Dwyane Burrows, Michael Collins, Shannon Young, Josh Casey, Kurt Hammer, Alex Fitzgerald, Willis Scott, Charlie O'Connell, Kurt Webster, Matt Davidson, Aki Seiuli, Henry Parker, Nick McLennan. Reserves: Karl Still, Jarrod Graham, Mike McKee, Brodie Hume, Will Cosgriff, William Tagicakibau, Glen Beadle.

PIRATES V DUNEDIN
Where:
Hancock Park.

Dunedin lies fifth on the points table but is expected to bounce back into the top four against a Pirates team that is rebuilding this year. Pirates had its first win of the season when it beat Green Island 36-17 last week.

Pirates: Adam Gavegan, Scott Emmerson, Will Scorgie, Opini To'omalaitai, Poamo Aiiloilo, Craig Sneddon, Ben West, Solomon T-Pole, Clinton Garrity, Travis McIntosh, Jarred Williams, Mike Calder, Hamish Clapp, Sekonaia T-Pole, Hisa Sasagi. Reserves: Jordan Hoerara, Andrew Johnston, Conrad Steadman, Shaun McCarroll, Andrew Bremner, Dan Dam.

Dunedin: Rowan McKenzie, Sam Weber, Tumua Ioane, Kaituu Kaufana, Tim Tolovai, Greg Dyer, Mike Moeahu, Mitchell Zandstra, Hugh Blake, Hame Toma, Martin Swaffield, Richard Thompson, Mark Grieve-Dunn, Sam Anderson-Heather, Will Henry. Reserves: Paul Mousa, Brendan Eathorne, Nick Peacock, Joe Dobson, George Vance, Danny Underwood, Pera Gibbs.

HARBOUR V GREEN ISLAND
Where:
Watson Park.

The improving Harbour combination is expected to have a comfortable win against Green Island. Harbour gained its second win of the season when it beat Zingari-Richmond 28-19 last week. Green Island has yet to win a game.

Harbour: Ewan Brumwell, Sala Halaleva, Aleki Morris, Marckis Shaaf, Mateo Malupo, Joe Collins, Nick Ealey, Charles Elton, Hadleigh May, Ratu Dawai, Ben Whale, Elioti Tonga, Matt Kiore, Aiden Spence, George Bower. Reserves: Mote Molitika, Nathan Seiuli, Sione Misiloi, James Tomkinson, Jonty Woods, Mike Henty, Iloa Lihau.

Green Island: Sam Eriepa, James Spooner, Hayden McBride, Fapene Popoali'i, Matthew Lobb, Brady Page, Tala Fagasoaia, Frankie Elisara, Luke Johnston, Lausei Pritchard, Simon Tupu, Jamie Waller, Richard Te Nahu, Sam Smith, Terry Gough. Reserves: Mike Bennet, Tony Keresoma, Matt McCutcheon, Mike Quigley, Ben Steele, Shane McNoe, Jared Fahey.

 - All games kick off at 3.30pm.

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