Well, the slide rules and calculators have been out and Einstein’s grandson called in to verify the points table but we have finally settled on a top six to contest the quarterfinals — more on the process shortly! Only one of the top seven were going to miss and unfortunately it was last year’s champions Green Island. They just couldn’t cope with the injury toil from the season. In terrible conditions at Shark Park, Harbour prevailed by six points and climbed to fourth and take on Varsity this weekend. Varsity came from seventh to unbelievably finish third when they put Kaik to the sword and comfortably won by 23 points. This dropped Kaik to sixth and earned them an away game at the Eelpit to take on Taieri. Taieri scored 24 points in the first half, also at Shark Park, and Southern could reply with only 14. As you can imagine, a howling, wintry southerly was the dramatic factor in the game. The Magpies dropped to fifth and get another game at Shark Park, taking on Dunedin as a reward. In the battle of the wooden spoon (well not really, Zingers had a buffer!), AU grabbed their first win of the season on the back of the Thode twins (more shortly). What a great result for a team of battlers.
The points system
When I sat down to work out the top six (admittedly I was at the New Orleans) on Saturday when the ODT updated the final scores, it was a mission! It was complicated by the fact that five teams had to share 15 points as they had played one fewer game because of the split round. Don’t get me started on the system used to get to the allocation — patently ridiculous. I think there are winds of change coming, however. The clubs voted last year to stay with the current system, narrowly. This has been a tough season for all clubs when factoring in Friday night games, shortage of refs, varsity exams and consequently fewer home games and dwindling numbers in clubrooms. I think we’ll see a return to two full founds next season with a semi and a final. That will probably give us a final in the last weekend of July, not ideal with provincial rugby. Then again, if clubs don’t survive will there be provincial rugby?
The battlers
You have a points differential of -300 and you haven’t won a game all year. So what do you do? Go out and win the last game of the season and that’s what AU did. Those twins, Olly and Willie, ran the game and, in an unprecedented move, have been jointly named players of the round. On the back of their prem women winning the final a couple of weeks ago and this great result I heard it was a huge night at the Pony Pit. Perhaps bigger thanks should go to club stalwart Hugh Tait who has been out of town when AU won both games against Zingers in the past two years. There is a message there for you, Hugh!
Down on the farm
In the north, the shortest season in the world is nearly over. Defending champs Excelsior are through to the final next week. Valley and Old Boys are playing a preliminary final this weekend to see who challenges them. It’s too close to call but Valley have played Excelsior in the past two finals.
The biggest game of the weekend on the farm is Upper Clutha v Wakatipu in Wanaka. The winner claims the No1 spot for the playoffs and then there is the small matter of the White Horse on the line as well. It doesn’t get bigger than this. If you’re in the district get there.
In the deep South it’s semifinal time as Pirates Old Boys host Marist and Woodlands host the all-points-of-the-compass Barbarians. I think it could be Pirates Old Boys and the BaaBaas in the final.
The boys are back in town
In case you’ve forgotten there is a small matter of a test at the Greenhouse on Saturday night. Yes, I know the French have cried off and sent out a ‘‘B’’ team but more fool them! Otago have two starting new caps in Fabian Holland (Dunedin) and Christian Lio-Willie (Kaik) so that assures a victory and some real passion and feeling for the home crowd. Massive congratulations to Fabian and Christian — play blinders, lads. The ABs are signing autographs at Wall St this morning so get along if you can. We’ve put the quarterfinals back to 1.30pm tomorrow so you’ve got plenty of time to lubricate post that and still get to the stadium when the gates open 4.30pm. Things seem a bit muted but don’t worry, the town will be rocking tomorrow night with plenty happening pre-game in the Octagon. Not sure why it’s not happening afterwards as well, Anyway, enjoy it!
This weekend
Not a great weekend for me in the tipping stakes as even Joey Wheeler beat me — now that is the nadir! On to Nigel Bilbo Smith from Speight’s so I surely can’t lose, can I? Taieri host Kaik out at the Eelpit and their backline has been decimated. Halfback Trey Russell is out, as is Cam Millar. Josh Whaanga is gone and brother Matt is doubtful and out wide Caleb Leef is out. So you would have to say Kaik go in as favourites. The rain is here till late tonight at least and the Eelpit will be a bog which will play into the hands of the doughty Taieri (12-) pack. They are the best defensive team in the comp and they might just get it done but it could easily go the other way. Dunedin are at home to Southern at Shark Park and there is nothing between these two sides. Both have big packs and game-breakers out wide. Dunedin (12-) won their only encounter earlier this year and it may go the same way again.
In the final playoff game, Varsity host Harbour at the Oval and, like the other two, it is nearly too close to call. Varsity (12-) are in great form but there is no Umaga- Jensen or Stodart this week but winning form is good form. There is no Nathan Hastie for Harbour this week which is a massive loss, but they do have a behemoth front row boasting Saula M’au and Abraham Pole. I think Varsity may just get it done but if Harbour maintain their discipline they are a big chance.
Trounced the world’s best digger driver Troy Calteaux last week and on to former All Black and the world’s best ‘‘schmoozer’’, Lyn Jaffray, this week so the winning run continues. In the big game, I’m tipping Upper Clutha (12-) to win it all over Wakatipu but mark my words it will go down to the wire. The Maggots (13+) should be too strong for Arrowtown as there is not a lot riding on it and Maniototo will be wanting a good win heading into the playoffs. Alex (13+) head to near neighbours Matak and need to get back on the horse heading to finals and should do so. Matak have been valiant this year but this could be the ‘‘Blacks’’ bridge too far.
