The ITM Cup finals are upon us and will conclude what has been a busy domestic season. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn takes a look at the two games.
ITM Cup championship final
Hawkes Bay v Wellington
Napier, tonight, 7.35pm
Hawkes Bay
Key players: This will be Hawkes Bay skipper Brendon O'Connor's last game in the black and white jersey before he heads overseas. O'Connor has been busy throughout the season and it is clear why English giant Leicester has picked him up. The next time we see him it could be in the England jersey. Pops up all over the paddock and can score plenty of tries.
For the home team much will depend on first five-eighth Ihaia West. A couple of years ago the drums were beating about his ability but two years with the Blues has shown although good, he is no world-beater. This is his level and he makes the most of the extra space. Scored 23 points last week and will have to be on song for the Bay to succeed.
Why the Bay will win: The Magpies have been in the past two finals and lost both of them. So it must be third time lucky. Are playing at home, will have plenty of support and will want to give departing skipper O'Connor a good send-off.
Why the Bay will lose: Was lucky to beat Bay of Plenty last week in the semifinal and previous to that got thumped by Waikato to lose the Ranfurly Shield. Knows how to choke on the big occasion.
Wellington
Key players: Props Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Reggie Goodes have made big metres all year. Are hard to stop and get the Wellington side going forward. Never stop working all game. Loose forwards Vaea Fifita and Ardie Savea get around and have the athletic ability to play a big part in the game. Savea needs to show he is the man for the occasion and can deliver the goods when needed.
Out the back, Wellington is not full of rock stars and the lights appear to be fading on the career of Cory Jane.
Why Wellington will win: The side has the best defensive record in the championship and, in the end, defence wins title. Jeremy Thrush is leaving and the faithful Wellington servant will want to go out with a title. Plus the Hurricanes came so close, so surely it must be Wellington's turn.
Why Wellington will lose: This is Wellington and if there is any team which knows how to lose a big game then it is the men from the capital. Plus an inside back combination which oozes about as much class as a night out in Huntly.
Tip: 25-21 Wellington
ITM Cup premiership final
Canterbury v Auckland
Christchurch, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Canterbury
Key players: New Highlanders recruit Robbie Thompson is equal top try-scorer in the competition and has ran hard and straight all season long. He is very hard to contain and makes space for others. Tom Taylor is off to France and the former All Black has been steady right throughout the season.
Halfback Mitchell Drummond is improving while the likes of Luke Whitelock and Matt Todd will help keep the Canterbury game going. Big lock Dominic Bird has played well after a forgettable Super rugby season.
Why Canterbury will win: The red and blacks just know how to get it done. Home advantage is a big plus and have some steady players who will not get carried away by the occasion. Taylor kicks the goals while a strong scrum and lineout will outlast AucklandWhat Canterbury will lose: Too many tradesmen and too little X-factor, which makes a difference in finals. Side-to-side style can be easy to stop.
AucklandKey players: Hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate has come into some good form, as has big prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi. But it is the loose forwards Mitch Karpik, Joe Edwards and Akira Ioane who have sparked plenty of good stuff for Auckland. Ioane is an All Black in waiting and has all the tricks up his sleeve. Brothers Jono and Simon Hickey have controlled play well in the inside while there are plenty of match-winners in the backline, starting with George Moala and Ben Lam.
Why Auckland will win: The side has more exciting players than any other team. Can switch defence to attack very quickly and coming into some good form following a convincing win over Tasman in the semifinal.
What Auckland will lose: Has not won a title since 2007. The side is young - only two players in its side were born in the 1980s - and come finals time, experience counts for a lot.
Tip: 28-25 Canterbury, after extra time.
