ITM Cup round-three preview
Round three of the ITM Cup is set to go over the week-end, and it is sure to be another exciting week in the New Zealand rugby premiership. Canterbury, Wellington, and Auckland all have something to prove heading into their third matches of the season, while Counties Manukau will be looking to continue their string of upsets.
Tasman vs. Hawke’s Bay
The first match of the week will take place between Tasman and Hawke’s Bay. Tasman heads back home after suffering a loss last week to Taranaki.
Hawke’s Bay is also coming off of a loss to Bay of Plenty, and will look to get back on track against the underdog Tasman side.
Tasman currently sits last in the league table, while Hawke’s Bay sits three from the bottom with two points
Canterbury vs. North Harbour
Canterbury will host North Harbour in Christchurch over the weekend, as the home side attempts to get back to last seasons championship form.
Canterbury cut it close last week, barely slipping by Manawatu, and will be interested in moving their way up the table with a victory over North Harbour.
Harbour will not go quietly, as they completed a stunning come-from-behind victory with a last minute drop kick to defeat Northland last week.
Canterbury currently sits fourth with seven points, while North Harbour is in 10th with four points.
Bay of Plenty vs. Auckland
Bay of Plenty welcomes Auckland to Mt. Mauganui in the weekend’s third game.
Plenty controlled their match against Hawke’s Bay last week, and will be interested in taking advantage of an Auckland side that looked disjointed in their loss last week to Waikato.
Bay of Plenty currently sits at sixth spot in the standings, while Auckland is one spot above them in fifth with six points.
Southland vs. Counties Manukau
With a provincial plate on the line, Southland hosts Counties Manukau in Invercargill on the weekend.
Southland is coming off a tight derby win over Otago in round-two, and will look to build on their provincial success this weekend.
Counties Manukau is not to be underestimated as last week they dominated a Wellington side in the nation’s capital, to complete their second upset of the young season.
Southland find themselves in second position, while Manukau surprisingly sits in first place with nine points.
Otago vs. Wellington
Otago has suffered two losses and will aim to get their season on track at home in Dunedin when they take on Wellington on 14 August
Wellington will be looking to remedy their disastrous loss to Counties Manukau last weekend, and will hope to take advantage of a struggling Otago side.
Otago currently sits in second last place with only one point this season, while Wellington is wallowing in ninth place with five points.
Northland vs. Manawatu
Northland will host Manwatu at home in Whangerei on the final day of round-three.
Northland will look to rebound after a tough loss to North Harbour last week, as will be interested in exposing a Manawatu side with not victories this season.
Manawatu are coming off of a tough loss as well, at the hands of Canterbury, who came back to win by a single point. They will aim to regroup against Northland.
Northland has managed to remain in eighth place with five points, and Manawatu sits in 11th with two points.
Waikato vs. Taranaki
The final game of the third-round sees Waikato host Taranaki in Hamilton.
Waikato is coming off a big win against rival Auckland, and will look to build on their success this weekend.
Taranaki is also coming off a victory, defeating Tasman handily. They will hope to handle the surging Waikato side away from home.
Waikato sits in third place with eight points, while Taranaki is nestled in seventh position with six points.
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