the cover
Harbor triumphed over a brave Varsity side, finishing third in the Gallaway to earn home quarters against Kaikorai. Varsity finished sixth, thanks to the loss of Green Island, and took on Taieri in the Eelpit. Kaikorai steamed AU to the High Veldt to mount the confrontation with Harbor. The mighty Zingers were too good for Green Island to hand over the dreaded spoon to AU. Dunedin trailed Southern by 22 at halftime, but stormed home to win and finish second. Their reward is a repeat against the Magpies in the Sandpit this weekend.
The bottom three
First of all, apologies to Zingari. I tip them all year for the dreaded spoon, but with Saturday’s win at Green Island, they’re a leap forward in AU to finish eighth. But wait, it gets better. AU came to Kaikorai on Saturday with 19 players and had to go to golden oldie scrums in the second half, which is a terrible look at first-class rugby. AU was drawn to play Zingari with the winner to play Green Island for seventh place next weekend. AU struggles for players due to injuries and varsity holidays and even Southland-stealing players so have withdrawn from the bottom three play-offs. Green Island, also due to players defecting, mainly to NZ Colts, and injuries have also withdrawn from the bottom three leagues meaning Zingers will now finish seventh in the league. While I understand the dilemmas of the two clubs – and let’s face it, it’s not a competition that inspires players or coaches – it doesn’t send a great message to the club’s supporters. They have played four home games this season, which is a financial disaster to keep the clubs afloat and a huge slap in the face for supporters and sponsors. We just have to do better.
Lock up your sons
The word was “Jacko” from North Otago hired a Hercules to support his playing supplies. But he’s decided it’s cheaper to get them from Big Brother in the South. I understand that Harbor supporters Josh Weepu and Mone Samate-Palu have mysteriously appeared in the North Otago playoffs and these are just the ones I’ve heard about! But the late mail is that “Jacko” is offshore right now. Let’s not forget Southland, who seduced AU’s Levi Emery for the past week.
On the farm
In the north, Kurow takes on the Old Boys for the title, with the country boys taking on the favorites and Parker, Todd and Faddes coming out on top. But you write off Old Boys at your own risk, because there they are eternal winners. Kurow, just. To the south, “kissing cousins” Clutha and Clutha Valley battle it out for the title. Clutha plays at home in the “big smoke” and goes in as favorites, but I suspect Valley may just have the last word. Nobody in Central knows what’s going on! However, in my opinion Upper Clutha is the best qualifier and so would have to play the team (the Maggots) that came from sixth to make it, but no, they are playing against old foe Wakatip. It gets weirder and weirder, but it seems that the Goats are the big winners – they have some big ”markers” in the game.
The rumor mill
The word on the street is that Otago is picking up their old tricks again and has brought in a few players to support their team. It’s been assumed that the locals can’t handle it – really? A halfback from Wellington and a ball-carrying number 8 from Waikato. The halfback is especially sad if true as there are some good halfbacks here – namely McClea from Varsity and Martin from Taieri. I’m curious how good the import is. Let’s face it, our track record isn’t great.
picking competitions
The picking compositions in town and country for the members of clubs are ready and dusted. In town, Mel “the medic” Reynolds of Dunedin scored the most points in her at bat (though she may still have lost to me). In the country, the winner is Neville “Bumpy” Grant of Clutha. Congratulations to both of you – you have won for all your members a visit to the stadium to watch an Otago match in the Speight’s box. Finchy and I will be in touch with both clubs to discuss the details.
to ask
Will the Irish be one in the impregnable Eden Park naming a disappointing All Black side after this weekend? With Otago Rugby moving further and further away from the club scene and the path for players disappearing before our eyes, is it time for club rugby to shape its own season and forget when NPC rugby starts and ensure our own survival? Should super players no longer play rugby (club) between the end of that season and starting NPC?
This weekend
Take on Liquorland Supreme Chris Hart this weekend and you have to agree that the likeness in the Ale House pick ad is stunning. Varsity mounts the saddle and heads to “banjo” land to face the Eels (12-). They have Ricky Jackson and Josh Timu on the list to play, but the Eels have Josh Hill in their lineup, so I don’t see them losing any time soon. There wasn’t much between Dunedin (12-) and Southern last week, but based on the Sharks last 40 minutes, they should have made it at home in the Sandpit. In the game of the round, Harbor (12-) is home to Kaik and they have some Super front rowers to call on Abraham Pole and Saula Ma’u, so could overpower a young Kaik team, but it will be close . If both Taieri and Dunedin win their respective matches, both teams will make it anyway – famous last words.