The wrap
Well the real story was in Queenstown with the 100 years of the White Horse Cup, but more on that shortly. The other story of the season so far is the demise of the Sharks who after three rounds are winless (with two thrashings and a bye) and are jointly sucking on the spoon with Zingers and AU.
The Sharks never win at the Lobster Pit and that rung true when Harbour thrashed them to record their second victory. I said Zingers would get thrashed by Varsity, but with 15 minutes to go it was 24-24 at Logan Park.
Varsity finally woke up and clicked into gear and ran in three late tries to lead the comp by a point from GI. The Spannerheads from GI kept pace when they destroyed the Magpies by 60 with 10 tries as they ran amok at Bog Bathgate. They had a few Highlanders on display but I didn’t see that coming. Watch Rugby Chat today (odt.co.nz) as I talk to Varsity and GI about why they’ve hit the season running.
Predictably Kaik were too good for AU and put 50 on them and consigned the Shetland Ponies to last spot on the ladder.
The White Horse 100th
Well the day finally arrived (last Saturday) and what a day it was. It was an autumnal summers day, the crowds were great and the rugby was OK. The best match was the “Battle of the Basin” between Wakatipu and Arrowtown and it went down to the wire. Massive underdogs Arrowtown scored a try with five to go and it was all on. Unfortunately, Wakatipu scored late to seal the victory.
Cromwell were too strong for Matakanui and in the main game for the White Horse, holders Upper Clutha put 30 on in the first spell against the Maggots to put it to bed. Hats off to Maniototo as they scored the only points in the second half.
The aftermatch lived up to the promise with over 400 there, over $40k was raised in the auction and let me assure you there were a lot of lies told. To Blue Simon and Peter Breen, heartiest congrats on what was a truly great day for country rugby.
Signing rumours
Well I mentioned a couple of weeks ago the Highlanders and Otago were chasing players, so I thought I’d update you on where things are at if the “tea leaves” are to be believed.
The Landers have been rumoured to have been in talks with Nelson Asofa-Solomona the back row giant turned boxer from the Melbourne Storm – a pretty badly kept secret. The word is there is a contract in front of him but nothing heard — in this case no news is probably bad news.
Otago head coach “Brownie” has been busy as well and possibly could have signed Moana Pasifika halfback Joel Lam out of Canterbury — pretty astute if he has. They also could have signed a Western Force lock originally out of New Zealand as well — more soon.
Colts rugby in Dunners
Well the rumour I intimated a couple of weeks ago has come to fruition. Last year all clubs fronted with a Prem Colts side and this year this has reduced by 30%, only six clubs having a side. Those that don’t are Taieri, Zingers and AU.
I predicted this would happen when the MCRC changed the age back to Under-20 from Under-21. They’ve essentially destroyed a vital grade to prop up an ailing P2 competition. The self-interest from some clubs will destroy the thriving colts grades in Premier and Junior Colts. Mark my words carefully.
There are 16 Junior Colts teams in town so it’s our best grade in terms of numbers and there is word about they want to tamper with that as well. If they do, we will go from being the most successful city competition in the country to becoming a Southland or a Nelson – wake up and be very afraid.
Other grades
All our other grades in town kick off this weekend — P2s, Women’s, Open, Prem Colts and Junior Colts — so get out and have a look at the new talent. Bizarrely you'll miss Junior Colts, as they’ve been playing them all week to avoid a clash with the Hyde St keg party. Weirdly, most of the Junior Colts are first years and can’t go to the keg party anyway. Now that is bizarre.
Down on the farm
They finally kicked off in the deep south (I thought they’d cancelled the comp) with predictability with the Barbarians, Woodlands and POB all winning comfortably.
In the South, Clutha were too good for Lawrence and the Pigs beat Heriot, as you would expect. But Owaka have defied the odds and thrashed the “Prison Guards” by a point — great work lads.
In the North, upsets always abound and Kurow provided it with a win over playing through champs Excelsior — really? But speaking of the farm I was speaking (at the 100th) to two crusty old farts from Matakanui’s halycon years in Ritchie Morgan and Ralph Milne and they can’t believe how much we pander to players today. “In our day we paid subs, bought our own jerseys. The only thing we got was the numbers and we had to sew them on to the jerseys.
‘‘One of our younger players got number 18 but got a bit excited and sewed it on upside down, thus 81 He was to scared to change it back and played with it for the rest of the season.’’
The mayors comp
Destroyed poor old John Glover, the Mayor of QLDC at the weekend at the Super Round at the Events Centre. He ended up with a -2 differential, so is out of contention. Sophie Barker still leads with only Jock Martin from the SODC to come .
Personally I’m not expecting big things from my old mate Jock, but we have had a side bet to add some more space.
This weekend
Took on Finchy from Speights last week and we had an honorable draw, but as you know I win all draws. Taking on mein host with the most, Mark Scully, from the Alehouse this weekend, so victory is assured.
Zingers, who have been seriously underrated by yours truly, host Harbour up at Bastion Point and they’ll be in game for some time. But Harbour’s (13+) strength is in the loose, with Taufa, Dale and Highlander Lauakai and that will be the difference in the game.
Dunedin are at home in the Sandpit and take on the old foe Southern. Neither side is travelling really well and this match could be the “dance of the desperates”. Given the way the Sharks have started, Southern goes in as commanding favourites. But in good conscience I can’t pick them so the Sharks (12-), but I fear this will cost me Steinlager.
GI (13+) are hosting AU and their backs are in scintillating form and their forwards are winning enough ball. Sadly for the Spannerheads Jesse Va’afuauga, the blindside, is gone for the season with a broken ankle — recover well mate.
In another cliffhanger, the Taieri Eels host Kaik and it’s too close to call — I should go with the draw, but I’ll take the home team the Eels (12-) but with no confidence.
In the country I’m on to the Mayor, so it’s a cakewalk. The gold miners from Gabriel’s Gully, Lawrence (13+), will be too strong up front for Heriot. The mighty Owaka host the city slickers, Clutha (13+), and unfortunately this only goes one way — Clutha too strong.
The coalminers from Crescent (12-) take on my boys, Clinton. We’ll throw the draft horses at them, but we’ll probably come up short. Clutha Valley are at home to prison guards from Toko and the Valley boys (12-) get it done in the back paddock.
