Taranaki v Counties Manukau
Thursday 7:35pm | Bet Now
The opening match on Thursday night features Taranaki hosting Counties-Manukau with both of these teams playing in the Premiership division. Taranaki were awful in 2013 and went very close to being relegated down to the Championship but they have recruited well and look, on paper, to be a better side. Angus Ta’avao from Auckland will bolster the tight five but the best additions appear to be in the backline where Charlie Ngatai and Marty McKenzie have arrived in town. Established Super Rugby stars like Gibson-Park, James Marshall, Broadhurst and Thomson give the feeling that the ’Naki might be capable of some upsets in 2014. First up they play the Ranfurly Shield holders and Counties-Manukau have also been active in the transfer market. The big signing is Sonny Bill Williams and Counties will be hoping that the Roosters don’t go too far in the NRL play-offs and they can get some value from the returning All Black. They look to be a well- balanced side with plenty of pace and flair in the backs and a solid set of forwards who been joined by the Canterbury loose forward Jordan Taufua. A tough match to find a winner.
Southland v Bay of Plenty
Current Odds HEAD 2 HEAD as at 10.37am 15/08/2014
Southland 1.55 / BOP 2.35 | Bet Now
Friday 7:35pm | Bet Now
Two Championship sides, Southland and Bay of Plenty, will face each other in Invercargill on Friday night and like the Thursday night match is not too easy to predict. Bay of Plenty had a dreadful 2013 campaign and dropped to the Championship for this season but they can expect more wins this season with what looks to be a useful squad. The big signing for Southland in the off season is Highlanders first five Lima Sopoaga from Wellington. Penetration through the backs was an issue for the Stags last season and the inclusion of the elusive Sopoaga might just be the way to improve that area. In a tough one the home team has its nose in front.
Otago v North Harbour
Current Odds HEAD 2 HEAD as at 10.37am 15/08/2014
Otago 1.22 / North Harbour 4.00 | Bet Now
Saturday 2:35pm | Bet Now
The first of three games on Saturday sees Otago hosting North Harbour in a Championship game. Tony Brown’s Otago had a brief flirtation with the Ranfurly Shield in 2013 and overall they were able to show that the great days in Otago rugby might not necessarily be over. The only severe loss for this season is captain Paul Grant but Brown has been able to attract the talented Trent Renata to the province to bolster the back division. Their opponents North Harbour have been down and out for so long that coaching them must seem like the poisoned chalice. However the no-nonsense former Southland forward Steve Jackson has taken over at the top and already the team looks better balanced and capable of making its mark. Maybe this is the year that North Harbour lifts from the slums and gives its supporters something to cheer about.
Canterbury v Auckland
Current Odds HEAD 2 HEAD as at 10.37am 15/08/2014
Canterbury 1.33 / Auckland 3.10 | Bet Now
Saturday 4:35pm | Bet Now
Canterbury is the six-times defending champions in the ITM Cup and not surprisingly they start as warm favourites to do it again in 2014. However they have lost a good deal of experience this season in the form of George Whitelock, Andy Ellis and Corey Flynn, and so the younger brigade will have to step up for coach Scott Robertson. Their first opponent, Auckland, is well capable of being a major player this season under new coach Paul Feeney. The blue and whites , as always, have plenty of depth and their backline in particular is going to be a problem for most sides. George Moala, Ben Lam, Francis Saili and Simon Hickey would be welcome in most teams and they’ll be keen to unleash against the defending champions on Saturday afternoon.
Wellington v Waikato
Current Odds HEAD 2 HEAD as at 10.37am 15/08/2014
Wellington 1.22 / Waikato 4.00 | Bet Now
Saturday 6:35pm | Bet Now
Saturday night in the capital city sees last season’s beaten finalists, Wellington, pitted against Waikato. Coach Chris Boyd, who takes over at the Hurricanes next season, has had a dreadful time with injuries to key players and will be missing quality individuals like Ardie Savea, Jeff To’omaga Allen, Motu Motu’u and Ross Filipo for most if not all of the season. A big plus is the return of Jason Woodward from Australia and along with plenty of up and coming local talent on offer, Wellington might not be as bad as first seems. Waikato had a rather average 2013 season but coach John Walters has assembled a powerful squad which bears little resemblance to the Chiefs but is itching for a return to the big time. Home advantage might just see Wellington home here.
Tasman v Hawke’s Bay
Current Odds HEAD 2 HEAD as at 10.37am 15/08/2014
Tasman 1.45 / Hawkes Bay 2.60 | Bet Now
Sunday 2:35pm | Bet Now
Two matches on Sunday to complete the opening round and first up its Tasman at home to Hawkes Bay. Tasman were good enough to be promoted to the Premiership at the end of last season and many of their key players have had plenty of exposure in the just-completed Super Rugby season. The big signing for them is former All Black Jimmy Cowan and his experience will be vital as he joins forces with the likes of Tom Marshall, Liam Squire, Shane Christie, and Joe Wheeler. Hawkes Bay was another side that briefly got the feel of the Ranfurly Shield last season and they’ll be keen to set another goal this season, promotion to the top division. Ihaia West was a revelation last season and he was easily able to transition that form into Super Rugby and he’ll be thrilled that one of the games wrecking balls, Robbie Fruean, will be running outside of him. This is game that Premiership side Tasman should be able to account for Championship side Hawkes Bay.
Northland v Manawatu
Current Odds HEAD 2 HEAD as at 10.37am 15/08/2014
Northland 1.87 / Manawatu 1.87 | Bet Now
Thursday 4:35pm | Bet Now
The final match of the round is from the Championship and sees Northland at home in Whangarei against Manawatu. Neither side has much time for imported players, preferring to draw the bulk of their squads from their local club competitions. Northland will greatly miss the local legend Rene Ranger, who’s headed overseas, but they do welcome a quality player in the form of Winstone Stanley. Manawatu in recent seasons has been able to produce world class players like the two Aarons – Smith and Cruden, and coach Jason O’Halloran will be hoping there might be another one or two of that quality in his squad. The tough and resilient Nick Croswell will be at the head of the pack for the green and whites and they have a real chance to put a W in the column to start the season.
Reported by : Friday, 15 Aug 2014
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