2014 – ITM CUP - NZ's 3rd Tier Competition

[waiopehu oldboy]

DC being given another week off:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...ter-ruled-out-of-NPC-semifinal-for-Canterbury

Still can't work out why it's Tasman not Taranaki v Cantabs as I thought 1 v 4 was pretty much standard these days, can only assume Taranaki beating Tasman somehow makes them #1 despite them being level on points & Tasman having a better PD (in which case why not just show the table as 1. Taranaki 2. Tasman ?).

 

[qwerty51]

You are correct, first tie-breaker is head to head.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Hawkes Bay 26-21 v Northland & into the Champinship GF.

 

[brokendown]

entertaining game--Hawkes Bay were just too strong up front

 

[Hugh Jarse]

As the Gimblett Gravels (Hawkes Bay) Magpies have been endorsed as the official Chez Jarse ITM Cup team, that was a good result, but the ManawatuTurbo Bucketheads must be favourites to take out the ITM Championship.

Robbie Fruen needs to start running at spaces and gaps, and stop looking to do a Jonah Lomu speed bump on skinny backs. It looks good for the highlights reel, but does little to advance the teams overall position as it allows time and space for the defence to reorganise.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^ Not sure if it's been mentioned but The Chiefs have cut Fruen & I've yet to see anything about him being picked up by anyone else so I guess it's the big OE for him.

 

[qwerty51]

Blues will get him I reckon.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^ well I suppose they do need to replace Ma'a but I thought they already had a truckload of midfielders. Hope someone grabs him, if he can overcome his health & related fitness issues he's more than just another journeyman.

Manawatu 23-18 v Southland & will host the Championship GF. Prem SF's up next.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...rbos-end-Stags-title-hopes-at-semifinal-stage

 

[hawktrain]

Taranaki vs Auckland, probably the best game of rugby I've seen this year. The pace and physicality did not let up for 100 minutes and there was a lot of endeavour considering it was a semi final. The Naki 13 (apparently signed by the Chiefs) had a blinder.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Tasman Makos beat Canterbury Lambs for the second time this year to progress to the Final against Taranaki in New Plymouth.

 

[qwerty51]

Taranaki vs Auckland, probably the best game of rugby I've seen this year. The pace and physicality did not let up for 100 minutes and there was a lot of endeavour considering it was a semi final. The Naki 13 (apparently signed by the Chiefs) had a blinder.

Tamanivalu is going to kill it in Super Rugby. Player of the ITM.

 

[hawktrain]

Should be a great final, either way we'll have a first time winner. Also for Tasman to potentially win the comp in their first year after being promoted would be remarkable.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Should be a great final, either way we'll have a first time winner. Also for Tasman to potentially win the comp in their first year after being promoted would be remarkable.

Also a first winner from outside of the Big 5 provinces (Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Canterbury & Otago) since Manawatu in 1980. Heart says Tasman, being Nelson-born, but head says Taranaki.

 

[Dan54]

Well enjoyed pointing out to mates on way to test last night, that all the teams in finals next week are from the middle of the country, all the northern and southern teams are out, so not too much travelling for fans etc. Actually Wellington ended up bottom and the surrounding ITM team are playing the finals!!
Can't wait for the games next week!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Lochore Cup SF results were Wanganui 37-6 v King Country & North Otago 16-12 v South Canty, GF in Oamaru; Meads Cup Buller 22-15 v Horowhenua-Kapiti & Mid Canty 29-22 v Poverty Bay, GF in Westport.

Great effort from the 'nua to make the Meads Cup after a long absence, shame they couldn't go on with it but hopefully they can build on that next year.

 

[Bairdy]

Also a first winner from outside of the Big 5 provinces (Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Canterbury & Otago) since Manawatu in 1980. Heart says Tasman, being Nelson-born, but head says Taranaki.

A Nelson-born, former resident of Levin supporting Canterbury. You're quite the nomad aren't ya WO

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

A Nelson-born, former resident of Levin supporting Canterbury. You're quite the nomad aren't ya WO

Not to mention 8 years in Bay of Plenty, 4 in Taranaki, 4 in Wellywood & 5 in Hamilton. We're a mobile lot, us kiwis.

 

[Dan54]

Not to mention 8 years in Bay of Plenty, 4 in Taranaki, 4 in Wellywood & 5 in Hamilton. We're a mobile lot, us kiwis.

Helps to have lots of teams to support to huh WO
Buggered if I know who to really get behind this weekend, pretty keen on the Makos because of the personal they put on field, some seriously underated plyers in that team. Also keen on the Naki, and as I went to school in Kapuni/Kaponga area and I like their style I pretty happy for them to win to!!
As for championship, it a little easier I gotta got for Manawatu being a Levin fella and all!!
Well looking forward to games this weekend!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Helps to have lots of teams to support to huh WO
Buggered if I know who to really get behind this weekend, pretty keen on the Makos because of the personal they put on field, some seriously underated plyers in that team. Also keen on the Naki, and as I went to school in Kapuni/Kaponga area and I like their style I pretty happy for them to win to!!
As for championship, it a little easier I gotta got for Manawatu being a Levin fella and all!!
Well looking forward to games this weekend!!

I'm hoping to watch both games, other commitments allowing, but not too fussed result-wise: either way the Vikings get a team in the top flight at Wellington's expense which is pure karma, and someone gets their name on the honours board for the first time ever. I'd prefer that to be Tasman but if it turns out to be Taranaki then well done them & I can claim a win by previous residence!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

OK, I'm now officially going for the Mighty Makos after reading this:

www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/10649440/Makos-look-for-fairytale-ending-to-rugby-revival

Plus they're part of the Crusaders setup (even if more of them play their Super Rugby elsewhere). Still torn over the Champ GF but leaning towards the bucket heads.