ITM Cup round 10: Preview
As the ITM Cup heads into its final four games of the season the top seven spots in the table are still very much up for grabs.
Wellington vs. Bay of Plenty
Wellington welcomes Bay of Plenty to the nation’s capitals in round 10.
Wellington is coming off a disappointing loss to Canterbury last weekend and will be keen to get back on track against a weaker Plenty side.
Plenty seems to have found a nice rhythm after notching their second win in a row last week, defeating Otago in a high scoring affair.
Wellington is currently in fifth with 27 points, while Plenty is in seventh with 26 points.
Auckland vs. Hawke’s Bay
Auckland will host Hawke’s Bay in round 10 action this week.
Auckland is coming off a loss to Southland last week, in which they were only able to score six points.
Hawke’s Bay earned a win over Taranaki last week, as they continued their late push for the top seven. Chosen by most to qualify for next year’s premiership Hawke’s will have to play strong rugby to earn
a spot in the top League.
Auckland is currently in third with 28 points, while Hawke’s is in 11th with 16 points.
Northland vs. Waikato
Northland will host Waikato in Whangarei this weekend.
Northland is coming off a defeat to Counties Manukau in round nine, as they continue to struggle with consistency. Northland still has an opportunity at the top seven but will need to pick up their play
late in the season.
Waikato has struggled throughout the 2010 campaign, but still finds themselves in the top seven. As the competition starts to ramp up Waikato will need to improve their game to stay among the League’s
best.
Northland is in ninth with 21 points, while Waikato is in sixth with 26 points.
Otago vs. Canterbury
Otago will host Canterbury at home in Dunedin in round nine this week.
Otago continues to struggle this season and seems destined to start next season in the championship division. Unfortunately they will not get much relief this week against a strong Canterbury side.
Canterbury pulled out a seven point win over Wellington last week and will have their sights set on top spot in the table with a win over Otago.
Otago is in 13th with 10 points, while Canterbury is in second with 31 points.
Taranaki vs. Southland
Taranaki will welcomes Southland to Plymouth for their round nine engagement.
Taranaki continues to surprise this season, hanging around top spot in the standings. The hosts have an opportunity to climb even further up the table with a win over a first place Southland side.
Southland managed to hold off Auckland last week in an extremely defensive game, which saw a final score of 9-6
Taranaki is currently in fourth with 28 points, while Southland is in first with 34 points.
Manawatu vs. Tasman
Manawatu welcomes Tasman to Palmerston this weekend.
Manawatu has an opportunity to pull themselves out of the basement against a struggling Tasman side.
Meanwhile, Tasman will attempt to rebound after suffering their seventh loss of the season, this time at the hands of Waikato.
Manawatu is currently in 14th with eight points, while Tasman is in 11th with 11 points.
Counties Manukau vs. North Harbour
Counties take on Northland at home in Pukekohe in round nine.
Counties Manukau continues to try and get back to the top of the table after a three week slidem, which saw them drop back into the middle of the table.
North Harbour was able to come away with a victory over Manawatu last week and will be looking to maintain their form against a better Counties side.
Counties is currently in eighth with 25 points, while North Harbour is in 10th with 18 points.
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