The wrap
Up on the High Veldt, Kaik has obviously been rewarded for doing very good deeds in the past few weeks. The Eels should have beaten it a fortnight ago and how AU didn’t beat it last weekend will remain one of life’s great mysteries. Sevens wunderkind Vilimoni Koroi missed all his kicks in the second half, including the conversion of the last try from pretty much in front.
The word is Vili is playing on one leg and needs a break — what are you up to Ash Stiven (Otago medico)? Cory, now that you are back from your Georgian gallivant, sort this out!
But all is not lost for AU if it beats the Sharks this weekend — and that is a distinct possibility. It could pip the Sharks for fourth if it gets over Harbour, Taieri and Zingers in its last three games. Southern was far too good for Varsity and has sailed off into the distance with the Gallaway pretty much wrapped up and top qualifier spot awaits. Varsity, meanwhile, has crashed and burned and will be left wondering about where to go from here.
The mighty Eels left the Sandpit with all the chocolates including the Speight’s Challenge Shield and left the Dunedin Flounders doing just that. The Sharks were cruising three weeks ago and are now in danger of missing the four. Their backline has been dreadful the past two weeks and needs to stand up and be counted at the North Ground on Saturday — this game is season-defining. Harbour, the sleeping Hawks, crushed Zingers with a masterly display to go second and probably confirm a semi with Kaik — is this finally the year for the Wharfies? They certainly deserve one.
All Blacks-Highlanders musings
I said last week I was worried the ABs were going to take three fullbacks into the first test against the Lions at the expense of a genuine try-scoring winger. Well, I got that wrong (unbelievably!) They’ve taken a try-scoring winger in Rieko Ioane but certainly not the one who deserved it on form. Waisake Naholo is in outstanding touch as witnessed last Tuesday night and should have been the first selected. Ioane was average for the Maori and, like his brother, has a penchant for looking good against average sides. Ryan Crotty in for Lienert Brown is also an eye-opener after the latter’s performance over the past couple of weeks for the Chiefs and the All Blacks against Samoa.
A lot has been said about how good the Lions have been against the Maori and the Chiefs but let’s not get carried away — both those forwards packs were suspect, to say the least. I was predicting a 20-point win but, with these dodgy selections and very probably a wet track, I have revised to a 12-and-under result for the ABs.
Speaking of misfortune and the Highlanders, the word on the street is that Naholo is definitely gone and heading to the Chiefs for family reasons. Malakai Fekitoa is also off, by all accounts, after being spurned by the ABs so things are beginning to wobble. The word is there is more to come. Mark Hammett has been running the contract negotiations — does that point to him being head coach? Aaron Mauger has signed on for Samoa for two years so is that another pointer? More soon as the mist begins to lift from Highlander headquarters.
The zany and bizarre
Johnnies (John McGlashan), the home of straw boaters, was represented in the world colts final in Georgia on Monday with one of their imports from a couple of years ago, hooker Joe Mullis, turning out for England against the Baby Blacks. Unfortunately, he may have run second there as Kiwi hooker Asafo Aumua scored three tries! Just looking at the club rugby stats, I see two forwards are the top try-scorers so far in the form of Mika Mafi (Southern) and Jonah Aoina (Kaik). Doesn’t say much about our sparkling back lads — let’s get this situation rectified! There is a wee story floating about that an extremely long-serving lock in prem II rugby got knocked out by a guy in a wheelchair in a local hostelry while they were discussing the merits of the Highlanders v Lions a couple of hours after the game — tell me it’s not so! The Eels not only beat the Sharks on Saturday, the junior Elvers then turned over the high-flying Makos (aka Guppyfish) on Sunday to complete the rout. I must add the Godfather Eel (Mike Casey) and stepson (Mike Kerr) were texting me the moment the melodic peal of the final whistle echoed round the Eelpit — it’s always good to be informed! Finally good to see Danny van der Voort crack the 100 for Kaik. A real blue-collar battler for the team — it owes him big. Congrats, mate.
Country rugby
The big news is that Matak finally got a "W" on the board against neighbour Alex at the weekend — a great result considering the horrific season it has been having with retirements and a mounting injury ward. The word is it has borrowed a few Alex players to fill holes this year so possibly not the best way to repay the hospitality! The Central comp is tight with Wakatip the favourite but Arrowtown and the Maggots won’t be far away. In the south, Clutha will go unbeaten for the year, take it to the bank. In the north, barring injury, Old Boys could do exactly the same but I’ve been wrong before!
The Meadsville statue
So the big day dawned on Monday in Te Kuiti (can’t believe I didn’t make it!) and Tree’s (Colin Meads’) statue was unveiled to the throng of thousands. Colin had not been great in the days leading up and the family was worried the big fella wouldn’t make it. He’s not the toughest man in NZ for nothing as he strode to the unveiling in a flash new suit and eyebrows going in all directions. He was out till about 9pm and got a few Tuis in for good measure and his speech had everything, apparently. The Fan Club was well represented by Keano, Onion and BJ (Steve Walker and Steven Sexton), the latter two pictured here. Of course they were last to bed at 3am.
Interesting to note Steve Tew was seated in the dignitaries’ section and NZR put no cash up! I think they still need $80K to balance the books, so surely Tewy will have a tidy slush fund to dip into from the Lions tour — c’mon, mate! The statue is fantastic and the museum is well worth a visit so if you’re passing pop in. You’ll be welcome.
This weekend
Destroyed Sam Aitken last week to restore some dignity and on to Mark Grieve Dunn from the Sharks so I’ll be wallowing in dignity tomorrow! The Eels may have Michael Collins and Aki Seiuli back in this weekend to defend the Speight’s Challenge Shield so it could be really tight but Harbour (12-) just to prevail and confirm a second-place finish. AU is at home and is travelling much better than the Sharks (12-) but it’s time for the Dunedin boys to show some fin so they may get home.
Varsity (12-) is having a horror run but it will stand up and be counted over GI but the Spannerheads are no easy-beats these days so it goes down to the wire. The Magpies (13+) go up to Bastion Point to take on Zingers and will behave like the hot favourites they are for the title — take it to the bank!PS To Big Dick Tayler who got too excited on the way to Te Kuiti, get well, mate, from that heart attack.
