The wrap
Kaik came down from the High Veldt, swam out to Port and unbelievably put 70 on Harbour to rout them in front of the home fans. Kaik storm up to third-equal with the Sharks. Harbour, after a great start to the season, are starting to wobble but surely the wheels aren’t falling off? Varsity finally gained some traction and put 60 on AU. They needed to win as they lose some star power for the next few weeks to NZU. Not sure if changing coaches has necessarily worked for AU going by the result anyway! GI are struggling up front with a mounting injury toll, but they did enough to subdue Zingers to stay in second spot. Zingers meanwhile are 10 points out of the six and struggling to remain relevant. The Sharks and the Magpies fought out an absolute thriller to show us how tight this top six shootout is going to be. The Sharks scored a late converted try to an ageing Gene Te Amo to get the four-pointer but Wyndham Patuawa from Southern had the chance to win it with a last-gasp penalty but alas, it was astray.
Down on the farm
Blue Simon’s wish came true for Upper Clutha when they scored a late try over Wakatip to lift the legendary "White Horse". This of course means that at their 125th this weekend, they get to defend it against the improving Maniototo Maggots in what promises to be a gripping encounter. That will be one of the many highlights for them this weekend. The crowd on the shores of Lake Wanaka could be spectacular. If you’re in the vicinity you have no excuse — get along! Lads, I think you win and I hope the weekend is a major success.
In the South it’s all about Clutha now, they are the only unbeaten side and favourites to go all the way. In the Deep South, Pirates Old Boys are leading the comp and are also the favourites to win it all. In the North, it’s too confusing for me, so we’ll wait another couple of weeks before we make any outlandish predictions but I’m hearing we have a default this weekend.
The Southland peril
They are back stealing Otago players from under our noses — there is no rest for the wicked. I hear the latest two "coerced" to sign for the dreaded "maroon" are Sam Fischli (Eels) and Aukustino Salanoa (Zingers). I was out at Shark Park last Wednesday night coaching apparently, but that’s a loose term, supervising at best ... The so-called "Southland Academy" was in full swing and they had 20-plus players being put through the motions. It was a dozen last year. They have been busy! Once more I ask where is all the "moolah" coming from Scotty? I hear Otago will be playing Southland on a Tuesday night in a couple of weeks which I think is patently ridiculous. And don’t tell me it’s about opportunities, we’ve already signed 26 players. Also, the game is in Southland. They could play it at Shark Park, all the players are HERE!
Bathgate Park
The word on the street is we may have found the oldest coach in the South. Southern great, stalwart, life member the list goes on. Billy Somerville, who has got to be hitting 80 surely, is coaching the Magpies junior colts — fantastic work mate! He may have got too keen last Friday night as he was yelling instructions to the troops pretty close to the sideline, and you guessed it, he was "cleaned out" by the players as they rumbled towards the sideline. He assures me he came up still yelling instructions.
The Magpies and the Sharks squared off on Saturday for the "Ron Reggett" — a revered trophy by both clubs. Son of "Michael" always presents the trophy post game. Dunedin held it but no trophy was to be seen come presentation time. Two certain "heavies" at Shark Park had conspired to "misplace" it. I’ve already had a crack at one club this year, so this is blatantly unacceptable. Dunedin give yourselves an uppercut!
International rules
On the whole the rule changes we’ve made in Super Rugby have sped the game up and made it a better experience for spectators, even if some of the refs are not quite as vigilant as they were at the start of the season. But we are living in a false dawn if the game between the NZ Colts and South Africa the other day is anything to go by. Late in the game NZ were already down to 14 through a dubious yellow card when they were handed out a red for a high shot. The NZ defender was coming across to a ruck when the attacker emerged with ball and ran straight at the defender with head down, but with a high body position. The defender had only turned to face the action and not in a position to tackle when he was struck by the ball carrier — and he gets a red card! The sad thing here is teams will exploit this anomaly and will run high at unwary suspects, initiate high contact and cry foul. Patently ridiculous but true!
This weekend
As predicted I crushed Joey Wheeler last week but where was the challenge? On to Nigel "Bilbo" Smith from Speight’s Brewery this week and the run will continue. In the big game it’s the "Battle of Saddle" at the Eelpit and there is no love lost here, let me assure you.
Taieri lead the comp and coming off the bye they’ll have been filing the "tags" all week.
GI are having an injury run so I suspect the Eels (12-) may prevail but there won’t be much in it. Zingers head out to Sandpit to take on the Sharks (13+) and even though the Dunedin injury toll keeps rising, I suspect they will get it done.
Zingers have a massive pack but the Sharks have got some quality outside backs. Harbour (13+) are at home to AU and need to get the five points to restore some confidence and that should happen — if they don’t I shudder to think! Kaik (12-) are back at the High Veldt and should be good enough to sustain their run.
Southern will need to monster them up front to get the "W".
In the Country I lost to the "Gnome" Pete Davis last week by the barest of margins but unforgivable really!
Up against Clutha’s favourite son Marty Hurring this week and I fear I could go down again! Heriot (13+) will be too strong for Lawrence at home in the mine and if the Canaries are still alive they may run West Taieri (12-) close, but I can’t see them winning.
Clutha (13+) head to Owaka and I’m afraid will remain comfortably unbeaten — Owaka could start now and still not win.
The Prison Guards from Toko (13+) are playing Clutha Valley and none of them have been "inside" so they just won’t win.
