Bartercard Cup - Round 15 Preview

Hibiscus Coast Raiders, Canterbury Bulls, Mt Albert Lions, Marist Richmond Brothers and Eastern Tornadoes make up the top five in this year's Bartercard Cup competition in New Zealand. The jostling for positions on the ladder for the Top 5 will continue for the remaining rounds.

Round 15 of the competition starts with the Mt Albert side hosting Wellington. The Lions will be hoping for a good win against a Wellington side that has had some good performances in the Bartercard Cup this year competition but is unable to mix it up too well with most Auckland teams. The Lions should come away with the 2 competition points.

Mt Albert Lions vs Wellington, Fowlds Park, Sat 9/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm

Mt Albert A. Bauer, S. Dewhurst, H. Vaasa, A. Fungapo, A. Ikihele, S. Buckingham, B. Lythe, S. Pouha, J. Fiu, P. Teniseli, P. Campbell, M. Asaou, W. McDade, (reserves) K. Wright, M. Noovao, L. Talamavao, P. Kailea Coach - John Ackland

Wellington B. Fox, S. Helu, N. Taumoli, V. Apuula, J. Tamanika, J. Monu, R. Leafe, T. Gemmel, J. Te Reo, T. Lavulavu, T. Hall, J. Tuimaualuga, J. Limmer, (reserves)T. Auvaa, W. Taleaga, F. Saumalia, F. Laumua. Coach - Gerard Stokes

Canterbury Bulls rugby league coach Phil Prescott has recalled centre Joe Taipari and young forwards Kane Ferris and Joseph Clarke for Saturday's match against North Harbour Tigers at Auckland. All three missed the momentous victories over Hibiscus Coast Raiders and Eastern Tornadoes because of injuries, and Prescott wants them up to speed again for the looming Bartercard Cup play-offs. The second-placed Bulls are within two games of at least equalling their best minor premiership finish.

The Tigers have absolutely nothing left to play for in the 2003 competition when any hopes they had of making the play-offs were dashed last week in their loss to the Raiders.

Nth Harbour Tigers vs Canterbury Bulls, Nth Harbour Stadium, Sat 9/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm

Nth Harbour Tigers K. Ganley, G. Mccpherson, K. Johnson, K. Asiata, W. Roberts, R. Retimana, K. MacIntosh, J. Duff, R. Kinkaid, M. Mau, J. Kamariera, A. Aukafolau, J. Vaotogo (reserves) L. Copestake, J. Golf, R. Tupou, G. Hau. Coach - Karl Benson / Kenny MacIntosh

Canterbury Bulls C. Herekotukutuku, E. HeiHei, J. Taipari, S. Wallace, R. Hansen, A. Harris, J. O'Brien, V. Whare, S. Beyers, A. Timo, C. Lawrie, C. Newton, T. Wallace, (reserves) R. Martin, J. Clarke, K. Ferris, T. Pelenise. Coach - Phil Prescott

Central Falcons will be wanting to put up a good performance at home when they take on Glenora on Saturday afternoon.

Central Falcons vs Glenora Bears, Palmerston Nth, Sat 9/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm

Central Falcons N. Ngaru, S. Forbes, J. Tevaga, N. Coburn, R. Puohotaua, D. Wilson, W. Wharepapa, D. Cook, M. Graham, S. Whakarau, M. Timoti, J.Royal, (reserves) T. Clune, L. Vete, B. Hekenui, J. Henderson. Coach - Peter Sixtus

Glenora Bears N. Presland, S. Halatoa, A. Iole, T. Toailoa, T. Samoa, G. Bailey, A. Clyde, B. Valeni, W. Bernard, M. Toelua, L. Toli, H. Lauaki, K. Edmondson, (reserves) K Robarts, O. Sipu, L. Tamatoa, V. Mafi. Coach - Dean Hunter

The hapless Taranaki side play hosts to the Manuwera Marlin. The Wildcats, although not posting any points as yet in the competition, have given a couple of teams a fright and up against a Manuwera side far from consistent, may just be able to secure their first points on the table.

Taranaki Wildcats vs Manurewa Marlins, Pukekura Park, Sat 9/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm

Taranaki Wildcats N. Hohaia, D. Remeka, J. Ngamotu, S. Hoskin, B. Ngata, I. Luke, R. Luke, N. Tatupu, K. Martin, D. Tamati, W. Parker, W. Wasey, H. Blackburn, (reserves) P. HeiHei, T. Berge, F. Katene, J. Enoka. Coach - Alan Jackson

Manurewa Marlins J. Matai, T. Karaka, S. Foketi, G. Eliki, P. Borell, J. Ioapo, W. Hati, T. Ufi, S. Tupou, C. Kolose, D. Letele, I. Filipo, T. Pamatangi, (reserves) L. Lunjevich, L. Ulugia, M. Suniula, TBA. Coach - Kelly Shelford

The game of the round undoubtedly has to be the clash between Marist and the Hibiscus Coast Raiders at Sun Halberg Park on Sunday afternoon. The top spot on the table is secure this week for the Raiders if they lose but a good performance going into the playoffs would be what the two Raiders coaches would desire. Marist coming off a close win over the Bears last week, will have to be right on their game against the Raiders hot attacking style. A tough one to pick, but I think the Raiders will pull it off, just.

Marist Richmond Brothers vs Hibiscus Coast Raiders, Sun Halberg Park, 10/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm

Marist Richmond Brothers J. Ropati, H. Kapi, R. Henry, S. Makisi, B. Collins, J. Tevita, G. Rota, T. Tauaa, T. Latu, E. Tuimavave, H. Turua, K. Guttenbeil, L. Kouka, (reserves) K. Cawdron, J. Kellet, T. Ropati, F. Prescott. Coach - Bernie Perenara

Hibiscus Coast Raiders D. Floyd, J. Vaifale, C. Shears, D. Tepu, D. Fisher, J. Tavaga, A. Aspin, D. Rennie, R. Wigg, T. Nikora, T. Raniera, W. Henare, T. Pau, (reserves) D. Faapito, S. Stowers, S. Tereora, TBA. Coach - -Brian McClennan / Tony Benson

Another good match up this week is the final game of Round 15 when the Tornadoes take on Otahuhu. After their loss to the Bulls last week, the Eastern side will need to put on a better performance to boost their confidence heading into the play-offs. The inconsistency of the Leopards in the competitions has been frustrating for the players, the coaches, and the fans. They are quite capable of beating the Tornadoes and could easily put this one away if they can gel on the day.

Eastern Tornadoes vs Otahuhu Leopards, Ericsson No 2, Sun 10/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm

Eastern Tornadoes P. Fisiiahi, P. Pulini, G. Tupou, D. Fisiiahi, N. Ngametua, R. Gentles, J. Noble, K. Mene, N. Scanlon, S. Pati, W. Sua, S. Faitala, L. Tufeao, (reserves) A. Fausa, A. Liavaa, T. Pulini, E. Leuluai. Coach - James Leuluai

Otahuhu Leopards P. Atkins, M. Vatuvei, P. Tafea, B. Nelson, T. Noovao, J. Yandell, G. Tuakura, E. Mann, L. Heta, T. Frost, M. Vili, M. Langdon, (reserves) N. Thammavongsa, B. Vaeau, M. Katoa, J. Campbell. Coach - Trevor McLeod

Round 15, games at a glance. Aug 9th - 10th:

Mt Albert Lions vs Wellington, Fowlds Park, Sat 9/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm

Nth Harbour Tigers vs Canterbury Bulls, Nth Harbour Stadium, Sat 9/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm

Central Falcons vs Glenora Bears, Palmerston Nth, Sat 9/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm

Taranaki Wildcats vs Manurewa Marlins, Pukekura Park, Sat 9/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm

Marist Richmond Brothers vs Hibiscus Coast Raiders, Sun Halberg Park, 10/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm

Eastern Tornadoes vs Otahuhu Leopards, Ericsson No 2, Sun 10/08/03. Kick off at 2:30pm