NZ Bartercard
Cup - Round 2

After a brilliant start to week one of 2004 Bartercard Cup, we now take a look at week two. Friday 23 April 2004: For the second Friday in a row we see a night game being played, and what a game this will be. The Jets fresh off a victory over last years champions the Bulls, will be looking to make it two from two as they take on Wellington at Hutt Recreation Ground in Wellington. Wellington have named a balanced line up featuring Warrior Vince Mellars (who is rumored to be going to the NRL for the Sharks) plus Simon Mannering. The Warriors are working to sign Mannering after Anderson watched the second rower play in the Kiwi Cup final last Friday night, the curtainraiser to the Warriors' NRL game against the Bulldogs in Wellington. Wellington Bartercard Cup coach Paul Bergman said Anderson had said after the final: "I want that No 12." That night Mannering was named the Wellington player to receive this year's scholarship to the Bulldogs. Mannering will be joined with under-18 teammate John Te Reo on the bench. Wellington also had a strong first up performance in round one, going down to Mt Albert 44-36. Prediction: Jets by 8 Wellington vs Counties Manukau Jets Hutt Recreation Ground, Wellington 7.30 pm Kick Off Wellington: D. Laula, M. Nathan, V. Mellars, W. Puohotaua, J. Enoka, C. Fox, J. McDonald, T. Lavulavu, J. Carnegie, F. Laumua, T. Hall, C. Savali, D. Rota Reserves: D. Hape, S. Mannering, J. Te Reo, J. Taikato Coach: Paul Bergman Counties Manukau Jets: L. Finnerty, J. Karaitana, G. Aliki, S. Fa'alogo, P. Tafea, J. Ioapo, A. Herangi, A. Peraira, C. Motu, N. Su'e, G. Konelio, H. Barclay, W. Barnett (C) Reserves: A. Wharton, M. Vili, R. Peters, M. Suniula Coach: Dean Hunter

Saturday 24 April 2004: This is going to be one great battle tomorrow, when last years Champions Canterbury Bulls travel to Whangaparaoa to take on the Raiders at home. The Bulls will be determined to get two points on the board, as they look to get their campaign back on track after their shock lost to the Jets last week. The Raiders will be full of confidence after last weeks thrilling 30-22 victory over Otahuhu Ellerslie, and the form of Warrior discard Iafeta Paleaasina who crossed the try line twice. Paleaasina will be looking for another strong games as he puts his hand up for selection for the Warriors vs Storm match next week, and to help the Raiders stay in the top four of the table. This match will go either way, but Hibiscus have a strong home record which they would no doubt like to keep. Prediction: Raiders by 4 Hibiscus Coast Raiders vs Canterbury Bulls Stanmore Bay Reserve, Whangaparaoa 2.30 pm Kick Off Hibiscus Coast Raiders: R. Gilmore, S. Jackson, O. Manuel, D. Tepu, J. Vaifale, D. Floyd, M. Ashe, S. Stowers, C. Shears, I. Paleaaesina, T. Raniera, W. Henare, T. Nikora Reserves: T. Thompson, S. Tereora, G. Moana, M. Heke Coach: Tony Benson Canterbury Bulls: J. McDonald, P. McDonald, C. Fraser, R. Martin, R. Hanson, A. Harris (C), M. Clarkson, V. Whare, A. Auimatagi, K. Ferris, S. Wallace, C. Newton, C. Lawrie Reserves: J. Manning, P. Asi (Masefau), A. Timo, T. Pelenise Coach: Phil Prescott

Central Falcons vs North Harbour Tigers Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North 2.30 pm Kick Off After a heart breaking loss last week, the Falcons will be up to a huge test when they take on the North Harbour Tigers at home tomorrow. The Tigers will still be hurting after their last minute loss to the Stallions last week, and after a strong pre-season, they will be looking to put their first points on the board. The Falcons got a Rugby League lesson last week, after facing a red hot Marist-Richmond team. Conceding 60 points on their home turf would have been devastating and not the way to start the season, as the Falcons look to improve on last years performance. The Falcons missing a handful of players last year including their top player Jessie Royal who was signed to the Penrith Panthers, look like they could be heading for the wooden spoon. However, a few changes to the team from last week might kick start them in front of their faithful fans. Prediction: Tigers by 12 Central Falcons: J. Draper, S. Forbes, M. Whakatihi, W. Live, N. Coburn, T. Clune, P. Hales, R. Hurunui, L. Erihe, M. Graham (C), J. Pivac, T. Greig, D. Kahuroa Reserves: H. Davidson, D. Fa'apito, J. Watson, P. Aumua Coach: Peter Sixtus North Harbour Tigers: T. Samoa, K. Johnson, T. Fatui, T. Fortes, G. Macpherson, D. Vasau, J. Trott, J. Duff, Q. Ikiana, D. Trott, L. Anderson, J. Kamirea, D. Moses Reserves: D. Glasgow, D. Leuila-Briggs, A. Aukafolau, S. Lui Coach: Karl Benson / Kenneth McIntosh

Marist Richmond Brothers vs Glenora Bears Murray Halberg Park, Auckland 2.30 pm Kick Off The Red hot Marist Richmond Brothers are at home as they take on Glenora Bears at Murry Park. The Bears could be on a hiding to nothing if Marist carry on from where the left off in Palmerston North last week. Though the Bears played well last week, they will need to click into gear if they have any hope in wining this match. If Marist maintain intensity throughout the full eighty minutes of each game they will be difficult to beat, and will go one step further from last year.

Prediction: Brothers by 18 Marist Richmond Brothers: J. Tavita, H. Kapi, R. Henry, W. Letu, T. Ropati, M. Perenara, G. Rota, E. Tuimavave, M. France, K. Cawdron, H. Turua (C), K. Guttenbeil, S. Sika Reserves: F. Afamasaga, B. Douglas, A. Murray, A. Su'a Coach: Bernie Perenara Glenora Bears: K. Alefosio, C. Nahu, L. Waqa, E. Lilo, T. Filemoehala, G. Lilo, M. Nathan, M. Alai, Z. Pocklington, V. Mafi, K. Edmonson (C), L. Tamatoa, I. Retzlaff Reserves: R. Ah Van, S. Ieremia, W. Malakai, S. Hatch Coach: Geoff Morton

Mt Albert Lions vs Otahuhu Ellerslie Fowlds Park, Auckland 2.30 pm Kick Off Mt Albert have a bigger and far more experince pack, and will look to dominate this match up front. Bossting the likes of Tookey, Tuimavave, Swann and Pouha the Lions should be to strong for the improving Otahuhu Ellersile side. Watch out for Vatuvei, who is not far off from playing for the Warriors, and could be the spark that could help push the Lions for the full 80 minutes. Prediction: Lions by 8 Mt Albert Lions: R. Godfrey, R. Baxter, C. Tuimavave, A. Swann, M. Manu, S. Buckingham (C), A. Bauer, M. Tookey, L. Talamaivao, S. Pouha, C. Ta'akimoeaka, K. Papa, T. Tuimavave Reserves: G. Maleatoa-Brown, P. Campbell, F. Talaepa, R. Wigg Coach: Brian McClennan Otahuhu Ellerslie: P. Aitken, G. Ruka, M. Vatuvei, P. Fisiahi, W. Pakalini, J. Yandall, C. Watini, S. Faitala (C), G. Vaafusuaga, S. Tueafo, R. Johnson, E. Leuluai, M. Langdon Reserves: T. Coromandel, T. Frost, D. Himiona, F. Tikinau Coach: James Leuluai

Sunday 25 April 2004: After a fairytale start to the Bartercard Cup, WAICOA Bay will be looking to show that their first up victory over the Tigers was no fluke. This will be a great test for the new team and Nikau, their first away game against some seasoned campaigners should show how this team will go in their debut season. The Eastern Tornadoes also started off well when they beat the inconsistent Glenora Bears 38 ?22. The Tornadoes will also look to make it two from two for the season, and cement their position in the top half of the table. This for me should be the match of the round with the away side sneaking home in another thriller. Prediction: Stallions by 4 Eastern Tornadoes vs Waicoa Bay Stallions Ericsson No.2, Auckland 2.30 pm Kick Off Eastern Tornadoes: T. Hewitt, N. Ngametua, K. Fakalata, Z. Luisi, N. Taurarii, D. Cooper, L. Lafaele, A. Lafaele, H. Rangi, T. Tuia, I. Liava'a, S. Paeu, K. Umbers Reserves: H. Taurarii, M. Latu, P. Menary, D. Harriman Coach: Boss Cecil Waicoa Bay Stallions: B. Ingram, R. Peri, V. Moana-Mason, J. Kaho, H. Wilson, T. Matthews, H. Karena, D. Wahanga, C. Norton, J. David, H. Kingi, D. Kete, K. Tumoana Reserves: T. Soti, N. Kaa, B. Tawera, B. Whitiora Coach: Tawera Nikau / Len Reid