Kiwi contingent:
1. Will Taranaki be gripped by shield fever?
We’ll know more on that score when Manawatu begin their raid for the famous old log at Yarrow Stadium.
Good news: The picturesque ground in New Plymouth is open for business. The east and west stands might be quake-prone, but the locals have found solutions and declared the joint good to go. Taranaki struggled against Bay They will hope of Plenty last week. their team is
revved-up, too. That 30-10 loss to Bay of Plenty in Rotorua last weekend was one to forget.
2. Blimmin’ heck, how good are Tasman?
We already know the answer to that. The 25-17 scoreline after their win over Canterbury in Blenheim doesn’t reflect how good Tasman were. The title holders really struggled to find cracks in the very organised Mako mob’s defence.
It’s now Southland’s turn to receive their medicine at Lansdowne Park.
3. Is the Canterbury-Wellington fixture the match of the round?
Nah, the Ranfurly Shield defence is the go-to game of the weekend. But the one in Christchurch will go close. An early kickoff, and a forecast of decent weather helps set the scene for what should be an entertaining event. Especially if unwanted All Black Vaea Fifita can unfold those long legs with the No 6 on his back.
It’s important to shrug off losses in professional rugby, especially in a competition like the Mitre 10 Cup because of the crowded programme, but you can bet Canterbury will still be dark about the way Tasman overwhelmed them.
Expect the Canterbury forwards to be in an unforgiving mood. Early shots will be fired at the newly dubbed Christchurch Stadium.
4. What about Auckland-Northland?
The old foes, eh? Remember the days when Northland were dubbed North Auckland and men like the Going brothers, and later the Dunns, cooked up all sorts of magic spells and dazzled the Aucklanders?
If you can’t, no bother. Let’s just say there’s some proud rugby heritage up north. Here’s hoping the Taniwha give the city slickers a hurry up.
5. Ever heard folks griping about Super Rugby games only being played at night?
Yes, quite often: ‘‘Too busy to go out in the dark, the weather’s too cold . . . If games were during the afternoon, I would be there in a heartbeat,’’ they bleat.
No excuses during this competition. There are heaps of games in the arvo. Get into it! The New Zealand team is expected to be among the major medal winners at the canoe sprint world championships in Portugal this week.
Double Olympic gold medallist Lisa Carrington will head the Kiwi charge, but she’ll be joined by seven other paddlers contesting a demanding schedule at Montemor O Velho.
LISA CARRINGTON
New Zealand’s most famous and greatest paddler since Ian Ferguson and Paul McDonald. The 29-year-old has won gold in the women’s K1 200 at the past two Olympics and claimed silver in the K1 500 at Rio in 2016. She’s won the K1 200 at the past five world champs and will also be part of the K2 500 and K4 500 crews in Portugal.
CAITLIN RYAN
The 26-year-old from North Shore works as a dental hygienist when not on the water. Ryan set a world record in the K1 500 at a World Cup event in Hungary in May and will be seeking individual gold, along with triumphs with Carrington in the K2 500 and the K4 500, while she’ll also race the K1 5000.