NZ Bartercard
Cup - Round 4

A split round this weekend for Round 4 of New Zealand's Bartercard Cup competition sees Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions, Canterbury Bulls, Central Falcons, Glenora Bears, Eastern Tornadoes and Wellington all watching from the sidelines.

With no Friday night games this week, the attention turns to Saturday afternoon at Ericsson No.2 ground where the visiting Canterbury Bulls come up against Otahuhu Ellerslie.

A tough tussle last week against Wellington, Otahuhu Ellerslie will have to try and put in a top notch performance once more if they are come out victors over a Bulls outfit that walked all over Mt Albert last Saturday night.

Once again Thomas Leuluai is fronting up for the Otahuhu side, staying out of the NRL and International limelight. Playing under his father's coaching, he's sure to fire up his team-mates. A try last week against Wellington not quite enough for victory, but he certainly adds more attacking options in the side.

Jason Mannering moving from the second row to centre for the Canterbury Bulls has certainly put another dimension into the Bulls game as the Lions side found out last week. Coach Phil Prescott will be looking for more of the same up against the Otahuhu Ellerslie side that is quite capable of an upset.

Otahuhu Ellerslie vs Canterbury Bulls Ericsson No.2, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Otahuhu Ellerslie: P. Atken, S. Metcalf, D. Fisiiahi, P. Fisiiahi, J. Tavaga, J. Yandall, T. Leuluai, S. Faitala (C), F. Tikinau, A. Fausa, T. Frost, M. Langdon, R. Johnson Reserves: G. Va'afusaga, S. Tueafo, F. Tupou, F. Nuuausala Coach: James Leuluai

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

The match of the round sees the Mt Albert Lions head out to Papakura to take on the yet undefeated newcomers, the Counties Manakau Jets. Mt Albert will have put last week's resounding defeat to the Bulls way behind them and will be looking to come away with the 2 points. New coach Brian McClennan will have them playing at full stride.

The Jets put on a fine second half display against the Hibiscus Coast Raiders to defeat the tough side and will want to carry the trend on. There's nothing worse than a wounded side to face next, and the Lions would've been hurting following their trip down to Christchurch. Expect a tough hard game from both sides on Sunday.

Counties Manukau Jetz vs Mt Albert Lions Massey Park Papakura, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Counties Manukau Jetz: L. Finnerty, W. Leolafi, G. Eliki, C. Knight, P. Tafea, J. Ioapo, A. Herangi, A. Pereira, C. Motu, N. Su'e, G. Konelio, S. Fa'alogo, W. Barnett (C) Reserves: M. Vili, S. Foketi, M. Suniula, T. Ufi Coach: Dean Hunter

Mt Albert Lions: A. Bauer, M. Manu, C. Tuimavave, A. Swann, R. Baxter, S. Buckingham (C), J. Noble, J. Todd, L. Talamaivao, S. Pouha, F. Soutar, K. Papa, G. Malietoa-Brown Reserves: F. Talaepa, H. Aonga, R. Godfrey, R. Wigg Coach: Brian McClennan

North Harbour Stadium on Saturday afternoon will have an action packed game also as the home side, the Tigers, take on competition leaders Marist Richmond Brothers.

Both these sides come off a draw in the last round in which could be said, they let the win slip away .

The Tigers had their chances to win last Friday night but couldn't finish off with the halves either choosing poor options or simply not listening to the calls. Allowing the Tornadoes back into the match just after the halftime break is something that would've been worked on this week in training as that is one thing they can't allow Marist Richmond to do or they will be punished on the scoreboard.

Marist Richmond Brothers last week were up against the Wai-Coa-Bay side that are very big and play very hard. Playing in horrid conditions in Rotorua a draw was probably indicative of how even both the sides were, however the Marist side probably rued a couple of late decisions that didn't go their way.

Both these sides are more than capable of claiming the victory on Sunday and with the way the Bartercard Cup competition is going so far in 2004, it will be a close battle.

North Harbour Tigers vs Marist Richmond Brothers North Harbour Stadium, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

North Harbour Tigers: T. Berry, T. Samoa, T. Fatui, K. Johnson, G. Macpherson, J. Trott, D. Vasau, J. Duff, Q. Ikifana (C), D. Trott, S. Lui, A. Aukafolau, J. Kamariena Reserves: R. Colley, D. Leuila-Briggs, D. Moses, D. Glasgon Coach: Karl Benson / Kenneth McIntosh

Marist Richmond Brothers: J. Tavita, M. Taulapapa, R. Henry, W. Letiu, T. Ropati, M. Perenara, G. Rota, A. Su'a, M. France, K. Cawdron, H. Turua (C), K. Guttenbeil, S. Sika Reserves: F. Prescott, B. Dougals, Junior Fiu, R. Seuala Coach: Bernie Perenara

Saturday 8 May 2004:

Otahuhu Ellerslie vs Canterbury Bulls Ericsson No.2, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Sunday 9 May 2004:

Counties Manukau Jetz vs Mt Albert Lions Massey Park Papakura, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Counties Manukau Jetz vs Mt Albert Lions Massey Park Papakura, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off