NZ Bartercard Cup - Round 11 preview

Round 11 of New Zealand's Bartercard Cup looks set to be wet games for all of the round with all of the country experiencing rain this weekend. Two top teams fight it out on Sunday afternoon at Ericsson before the Warriors NRL game with the Rabbitohs. Other games will have team vying for the all elusive Top 5 positions as we count down to play off time.

BARTERCARD CUP TEAM LISTS - ROUND 11:

Friday 16 July 2004

Tonight the Tigers are hosting the Central Falcons who seem to be gaining more and more confidence as the weeks go by especially with their upset win over the Mt Albert Lions last weekend. The Tigers are currently in 5th position on the ladder, and are not going to relinquish that position lightly. I expect a home win especially since the Tigers so far are unbeaten at North Harbour..

North Harbour Tigers vs Central Falcons North Harbour Stadium, Auckland 7.30pm Kick Off

North Harbour Tigers: W. Roberts, G. Macpherson, K. Johnson, L. Copestake, T. Samoa, J. Golf, J. Trott, J. Duff, D. Glasgow, Q. Ikifana (C), A. Aukafolau, D. Leuila-Briggs, D. Vasau Reserves: C. Tupou, M. Rereti, T. Ah Voa, J. Kamareira Coach: Karl Benson / Ken McIntosh

Central Falcons: W. Live, S. Forbes, N. Hohaia, M. Whakatihi, T. Cahill, T. Clune, G. Kerrisk, W. Wharepapa, L. Erihe, M. Graham (C), J. Watson, T. Greig, K. Savage Reserves: M. Tuitupou, S. Whakarau, D. Fa'apito, R. Hurunui Coach: Peter Sixtus

Saturday 17 July 2004

Otahuhu Ellerslie have now moved into 2nd on the ladder, after having played an extra game, and they looked mighty impressive against the Tigers last week. The Jetz this Saturday will push them for the entire match, and in slippery conditions, this game could go either way.

Counties Manukau Jetz vs Otahuhu Ellerslie Massey Park, Papakura 2.30pm Kick Off

Counties Manukau Jetz: L. Finnerty, J. Karaitiana, P. Tafea, I. Hagaitoa, S. Foki, J. Ioapo, A. Herangi, M. Suniula, G. Eliki, N. Su'e, T. Tuifelasai, M. Vili, W. Barnett Reserves: A. Pereira, G. Leota, R. Peters, T. Ufi Coach: Dean Hunter

Otahuhu Ellerslie: P. Atkins, D. Fisi'iahi, P. Fisi'iahi, J. Tavaga, G. Ruka, C. Palmer, C. Wetini, S. Faitala (C), G. Va'afuasaga, A. Fausa, S. Tufeao, T. Frost, M. Langdon Reserves: R. Johnson, S. Niuela, B. Broughton, C. Green Coach: James Leuluai

A difficult one to pick is the game between the Bears and the Tornadoes on Saturday afternoon. The Bears have the attitude to upset sides and although they lost rather heavily last week to the Jetz, they can never be underestimated. The Tornadoes have had a disappointing last couple of game and need to get back on track.

Glenora Bears vs Eastern Tornadoes Harold Moody Park, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Glenora Bears: B. Stewart, C. Nahu, L. Waqa, K. Alefosio, A. Iole, S. Ieremia, T. Papali'i, B. Valeni, H. Godinet, V. Mafi, K. Edmondson, M. Toelau (C), C. Waide Reserves: N. Presland, D. Shepherd, V. Tuituila, H. Guttenbeil Coach: Geoff Morton

Eastern Tornadoes: Z. Luisi, T. Leaunoa, K. Fakalata, D. Harriman, I. Paulo, S. Peau, W. Morunga, K. Mene, L. Lafaele, M. Latu, I. Liava'a (C), S. Smith, H. Rangi Reserves: A. Leau, A. Lafaele, P. Menary, N. Pulu Coach: Boss Cecil

There's nothing more dangerous than a wounded Lion and after their second half loss last week to the Falcons, the Lions will be out for redemption much to the Stallions demise. Wai-Coa-Bay played well last week against the Marist side and are long overdue for a win, unfortunately I can't see it being this Saturday against the Mt Albert side.

Waicoa Bay Stallions vs Mt Albert Lions Resthills Park, Hamilton 3.00pm Kick Off

Waicoa Bay Stallions: J. Auru, D. Campbell-Benson, V. Moana-Mason, S. Stosic, H. Wilson, B. Whitiora, T. Matthews, B. Tawera, N. Kaa, J. David, C. Norton (C), K. Tumoana, S. Rapira Reserves: T. Soti, K. Wilson, S. Andrews, M. Walker Coach: Tawera Nikau / Len Reid

Mt Albert Lions: A. Bauer, M. Manu, R. Godfrey, A. Swann, R. Baxter, S. Buckingham (C), J. Noble, S. Pouha, L. Talamaivao, D. Davis, R. Wigg, M. Asaou, T. Tuimavave Reserves: (No.14 TBA), F. Soutar, (No.16 TBA), J. Tau Coach: Brian McClennan / Noora Samuela

The Hibiscus Coast Raiders are also long overdue to put in a winning performance however Wellington managed a very good win in Round 10 over the Eastern Tornadoes and will look to carry on the winning formula against the bottom placed Raiders.

Wellington vs Hibiscus Coast Raiders Wise Park, Wellington 3.00pm Kick Off

Wellington: J. MacDonald, T. Ioane, S. Mannering, V. Manu, M. Nathan, D. Hape, J. Carnegie, T. Lavulavu, T. Brown, F. Laumua, T. Hall, C. Savali (C), H. Luapo Reserves: C. Fox, J. Davis, W. Weepu, I. Luke Coach: Paul Bergman

Hibiscus Coast Raiders: D. Cassidy, S. Jackson, O. Manuel, C. Shears (C), J. Vaifale, D. Floyd, T. Thompson, D. Avega, C. Te Kiri, J. Asiata, W. Henare, S. Matafeo, G. Moana Reserves: T. Nikora, S. Tereora, P. Prime, G. Hau Coach: Tony Benson

Sunday 18 July 2004

The curtain raiser for the Warriors/Rabbitohs game is set to be the game of the round. Alex Timo, who makes his 50th appearance for the Canterbury Bulls against Marist-Richmond Brothers at Ericsson Stadium on Sunday. Timo's milestone coincides with the 2003 Bartercard Cup grand final replay, appropriately at the venue where the Bulls won their second title in thrilling circumstances. This month Bulls coach Phil Prescott coached a New Zealand A side which included five Marist Richmond Brothers' players to a well organised victory over New South Wales Country.

This clash between two of the top sides in the Bartercard Cup competition will definitely be one not to be missed.

Marist Richmond Brothers vs Canterbury Bulls Ericsson Stadium, Auckland (Curtain Raiser To Warriors vs Rabbitohs) 11.35am Kick Off

Marist Richmond Brothers: J. Tiavale, T. Ropati, A. Murray, R. Henry, M. Taulapapa, G. Rota, B. Perenara, K. Cawdron, M. France, A. Su'a, H. Turua (C), K. Guttenbeil, R. Seuala Reserves: S. Sika, B. Douglas, E. Leavai, J. Pukepuke Coach: Bernie Perenara

Canterbury Bulls: J. McDonald, P. McDonald, R. Martin, K. Mako-Manihera, R. Hanson, A. Harris (C), M. Clarkson, V. Whare, A. Auimatagi, A. Timo, S. Wallace, J. Manning, C. Lawrie Reserves: C. Newton, P. Asi, C. Herekotukutuku, B. Taylor Coach: Phil Prescott

Round 11:

Friday 16 July 2004

North Harbour Tigers vs Central Falcons North Harbour Stadium, Auckland 7.30pm Kick Off

Saturday 17 July 2004

Counties Manukau Jetz vs Otahuhu Ellerslie Massey Park, Papakura 2.30pm Kick Off

Glenora Bears vs Eastern Tornadoes Harold Moody Park, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Waicoa Bay Stallions vs Mt Albert Lions Resthills Park, Hamilton 3.00pm Kick Off

Wellington vs Hibiscus Coast Raiders Wise Park, Wellington 3.00pm Kick Off

Sunday 18 July 2004

Marist Richmond Brothers vs Canterbury Bulls Ericsson Stadium, Auckland (Curtain Raiser To Warriors vs Rabbitohs) 11.35am Kick Off