Rugby
There’s plenty to play for as the top teams in the Mitre 10 Premiership and Championship sort out the semifinal match- ups. Canterbury, after shedding the Shield, have also lost top spot in the Premiership. There’s a biggie tomorrow when North Harbour host Taranaki, with Harbour wanting the points to make sure Tasman stay below them in fourth place. Waikato have plenty riding on their trip to Tauranga in today’s early game against Bay of Plenty. After a disappointing effort, Waikato are headed for the big drop unless they rally in this one. Wellington have long had top spot in the Championship in safe keeping and with it a home semi. The semifinals kick off on Friday night. Over the way, Europe’s Champions Cup ( formerly Heineken Cup) is under way, with the 20 clubs split into four pools. There’s plenty of New Zealand involvement, with Kiwi coaches Todd Blackadder ( Bath), Kieran Crowley ( Benetton), Dave Rennie ( Glasgow), Vern Cotter ( Montpellier) and Wayne Pivac ( Scarlets) involved. Bath host Benetton in the third of four televised games here tomorrow. Wayne Barnes has the whistle as Montpellier line up against Leinster, while Dan Carter’s Racing 92 host Leicester in game two. Canterbury, Taupo 5pm; Wairarapa Bush v West Coast 6pm.
Farah Palmer Cup, today, Canterbury v Wellington, Linfield Park, Christchurch 11.30am; Manawatu v Counties Manukau, Central Energy Trust Stadium noon; Auckland v Waikato, Bell Park noon; Tasman v Hawke’s Bay, Trafalgar Park 2.30pm; tomorrow, North Harbour v Otago, QBE Stadium 12.05pm. Glenfield v Howick, Rosedale noon; Drury v Western Magpies, Prince Edward Park 2pm; Otahuhu v Marist, Prince Edward noon; Waitakere Bears v Mt Albert Ramblers, Starling Park 1pm.
Tomorrow, women ( all games Rosedale Park), Howick v Otahuhu, Rosedale 2pm; Drury v Waitakere Bears noon; Glenfield v Mt Albert Ramblers 2pm; Western Magpies v Marist noon ( Colleen Callaghan Challenge); Waitakere Bears v Howick 10am; Mt Albert Ramblers v Otahuhu 4pm; Marist v Drury 10am; Western Magpies v Glenfield 4pm.