Winning runs, losing streaks
With no All Blacks test this week, code-hungry fans will have to get their fix from the Mitre 10 Cup and/or the Farah Palmer Cup.
The Ranfurly Shield isn’t on the line this week, but there’s still plenty of talking points ahead of the third round of the NPC, including the fact All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has cleared seven of his squad to have a run.
1. Who benefits most from the break in the Rugby Championship?
The rich get richer in Tasman’s case, considering two of the seven released All Blacks – Tim Perry and Shannon Frizell – are available for the Mako when they play North Harbour on Saturday.
Given they wheeled out 11 Super players against Southland last week, it goes without saying that the availability of Frizell and Perry means coach Leon MacDonald is spoilt for choice as Tasman chase a 3-0 start.
It’s been a long time between drinks for Otago hooker Liam Coltman, who is set to front for the blue and golds for the first time in almost two years, when they visit Manawatu¯ .
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Taranaki), Ardie Savea (Wellington), Luke Whitelock (Canterbury) and Nehe Milner-Skudder (Manawatu¯ ) will also play.
Reigning champions Canterbury v giantkilling Bay of Plenty will be a goodie, but let’s go with the top-of-the-table clash between Tasman and North Harbour in Auckland.
North Harbour aren’t stacked like the fancied Mako, but aren’t short of quality with players such as halfback Bryn Hall and wing Tevita Li, and have a solid set piece and sound defensive structure.
The clash also sees Tasman head coach MacDonald go up against Tom Coventry, who he will team up with at the Blues next season.
2. Will this be the week Southland and Waikato end their nasty losing streaks?
The schedule makers sure as hell haven’t been kind to the embattled sides.
It’s quickly closing in on two years since the Stags tasted a W, while Thursday marks exactly one year since Waikato won their last game. Coincidentally, it was against Auckland at Eden Park.
The problem for Waikato is this year’s version of Auckland appear superior to the rabble of a team which barely staved off relegation a year ago.
As for Southland, heading to the capital to play a Wellington team, which had a ton of chances to beat Canterbury in Christchurch last weekend, is hardly exciting.
3. What about the three other teams yet to win this season?
It’s not yet time to panic for Counties Manukau, Northland and Otago fans, but a third consecutive loss to start the season and it might be time to reach for a paper bag.
Testing matches loom for all three, particularly Northland, who face Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki at home.
Otago, the pre-season favourites to win the championship, have been disappointing so far, and first-year coach Ben Herring has his work cut out for him against the Turbos in Palmerston North.
As for premiership side Counties, going down to a championship side (Hawke’s Bay) a second straight week is a very real possibility.
Let’s wait to see if they knock over Canterbury in Tauranga before getting too carried away, but they have come out firing to start the new season.
Backing up their 30-10 win against Taranaki with a gutsy win over Counties made it two premiership scalps in as many weeks, and leaves them nestled in behind leaders Hawke’s Bay in the championship.
Canterbury lost a stack of experience and firepower in the off-season and are perhaps more vulnerable than in recent years, although they will be bolstered by Luke Whitelock this weekend. 4. Are Bay of Plenty legit?