Mitre 10 Cup derby round presents opportunity for fans to scout their Super Rugby side's upcoming talent
With the announcement of the 2021 Super Rugby squads set for December 1, opportunities for Kiwi rugby fans to catch a glimpse of their franchise’s next wave of talent is slimming by the week.
In fact, this weekend acts as the penultimate round of the Mitre 10 Cup regular season before the play-offs start.
That leaves punters across New Zealand just two weekends to watch all 14 teams and survey the nationwide talent that could feature in next year’s Super Rugby campaign for any of the five franchises.
Through this weekend’s derby round, though, Super Rugby fans have the perfect chance to assess which players could make the step up to their respective franchises as neighbouring provinces go head-to-head in each franchise’s catchment region.
It all started on Friday, when the two major provinces that make up the Highlanders did battle in the deep south, with hosts Southland upsetting Otago with a 32-15 win in Invercargill to reclaim the Donald Stuart Memorial Trophy.
The Stags’ victory was their first against the Golden O on home soil in a decade, with Southland captain Tony Lamborn playing a starring role.
Vigorous on defence and committed throughout the contest, one would imagine the Blues would be eager to keep the USA Eagles loose forward on hand next year given how well he has led this lowly Southland side in 2020.
He would certainly add experience, depth and leadership to one of the best back-row contingents in the competition, one that already features Akira Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii, Dillon Hunt, Blake Gibson and Tom Robinson.
On the flip side of the coin, Otago star and one-test All Blacks playmaker Josh Ioane had an evening to forget.
Playing a vital role in his side’s demise, the 25-year-old missed 11 points from the boot, threw an costly intercept leading to a try, had a try ruled due to a forward pass thrown to Vilimoni Koroi and misplaced a couple of kicks from hand.
Highlanders fans will be hoping he’ll be able to reassert himself as the country’s third best first-five throughout the remainder of the Mitre 10 Cup before reporting for Super Rugby duty by the end of the year.
“He’s in there stirring them up and he’s not shy of that confrontational battle and we need more people standing either side of him" #AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup https://t.co/hSWcZ01tw1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2020
Regardless, the match was a spectacle that few would have thought Southland was capable of putting on, and it set the tone for what’s bound to be a weekend filled with provincial battles where local bragging rights are set to go on the line.
It all continues on Saturday, with Premiership leaders Auckland hosting Championship hopeful Northland at Eden Park.
Both regions are proudly affiliated to the Blues, but it’s hard to look past Auckland from surging away with a comfortable victory in this clash given how they’ve performed thus far.
With six wins from eight outings, the Aucklanders have toppled some admirable foe already this year, with some of their most notable wins coming against the likes of Otago, Manawatu, Tasman and Waikato.
The disappointment of defeat in the Battle of the Bridge against cross-town rivals North Harbour a fortnight ago is also something Alama Ieremia’s side won’t want to endure again, so expect them to impose themselves on the Taniwha.
In AJ Lam and Salesi Rayasi, the province boasts two of the most in-form wings in the Mitre 10 Cup, while the inclusion of discarded All Blacks prop Angus Ta’avao is a considerable boost.
Keep an eye out for rookie flanker Niko Jones, son of All Blacks great Sir Michael Jones, who has been earmarked for great things after standing out at schoolboy level and having trained with the Blues and All Blacks Sevens in recent times.
As for Northland, they’ll have to rely on provincial stalwart Rene Ranger, Blues halfback Sam Nock and lock Josh Goodhue, brother of All Blacks midfielder Jack, to provide much of the impetus that will be required to notch a shock win.
Following that, North Harbour will host Counties Manukau on the other side of the Harbour Bridge at QBE Stadium in Albany in what is technically a cross-town clash, despite both teams representing different Super Rugby sides.
Based out of Pukekohe, based within the Auckland region, Counties Manukau are tied to the Chiefs while North Harbour’s allegiance lies with the Blues.
Kanaloa Pasifika have threatened New Zealand Rugby with legal action should they not be included in next year's revamped Super Rugby competition.https://t.co/MX1InKyR29
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2020
It would be safe to assume scouts from both franchises will be invested in this clash, which Harbour will be considered favourites for.
Headlined by Super Rugby regulars such as Dillon Hunt, Bryn Gatland and Bryn Hall, it’s some of the less-heralded figures who have caught the eye in 2020.
Young midfielder James Little has been among those, as has wing Jared Page, who was signed with the Blues this year but didn’t manage to take to the field.
Both players will be called into action against a Counties side that has the dangerous Etene Nanai-Seturo starting at fullback, as well as Samoa flanker Alamanda Motuga, who has proven himself to be a try-scoring machine.
The evening match sees the two Crusaders provinces pitted against each other, although both are enjoying vastly different campaigns at present.
Reigning Mitre 10 Cup champions Tasman will host Premiership cellar-dwellers Canterbury in Blenheim in a fixture that could be crucial to the latter’s survival in provincial rugby’s top flight.
Experienced campaigners like Luke Romano, Mitchell Drummond and Josh McKay will have to step up and deliver if they’re to pick up a season-saving victory over the Mako, as will impressive youngsters Tom Christie and new Blues lock Sam Darry.
Tasman will have other plans, though, and might present too difficult a challenge to overcome with a starting lineup that features just one player void of Super Rugby experience.
Through fullback David Havili, pivot Mitch Hunt, powerhouse wing Leicester Fainga’anuku, livewire flanker Sione Havili and big hooker Andrew Makalio, there is class across the entire Tasman starting XV that should have Crusaders fans salivating for 2021.
Moving to Sunday, and Hurricanes rivals Wellington and Hawke’s Bay will square off in Napier as the Ranfurly Shield goes on the line for the sixth time this year.
The New Zealand Warriors have responded after their star player, who has regularly been linked with a switch to union, trained with the All Blacks Sevens this week.https://t.co/sB2WuxIAIS
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2020
The Lions could become the fifth team to get their mitts on the historic silverware this season after it has already gone through the hands of Canterbury, Taranaki and Otago.
If that’s to be the case, the efforts of former All Blacks pair Julian Savea and Vaea Fifita will be integral to their Shield challenge, while their Hurricanes teammates Wes Goosen, Alex Fidow and Vince Aso will be just as important.
The Magpies, however, will be eager to ensure they stow the Log o’ Wood away for the summer, and with a revitalised Lolagi Visinia, exciting halfback Folau Fakatava and inspirational leader Ash Dixon at the helm, that seems a likely prospect.
While that games is being played, Chiefs affiliates Waikato and Bay of Plenty will take the field in Hamilton as the race for a semi-final berth intensifies.
A number of young guns have been influential for both teams this season, and it wouldn’t surprise to see someone like Xavier Roe or Kaleb Trask play a starring role for their respective teams at FMG Stadium Waikato.
Rounding out the weekend are central North Island neighbours Manawatu, looking to add to the sole victory they picked up against Southland last weekend, and Taranaki, the Bulls eager to cement a place in the Championship top four.
For the Bulls to do that, a bonus-point win will be required in Fielding, a feat that is that much more attainable thanks to the injury-enforced absence of the host’s star halfback Jamie Booth.
It’ll be up the likes of Stephen Perofeta, Lachlan Boshier and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, then, to inflict the damage on the Turbos.
Don’t expect the home side to die wondering, though, especially with Nehe Milner-Skudder and Michael Alaalatoa in their ranks.
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments