NZ Bartercard Cup - Round 5 Preview

A full round for Round 5 of New Zealand's Bartercard Cup after the split round of the last two weeks. Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions sit at the top of the ladder unopposed lucky to come away with a draw last week against the Glenora Bears.

First up on Saturday afternoon Marist Richmond Brothers host another Auckland club the Eastern Tornadoes at Grey Lynn Park. The Tornadoes come off a fine win over the Central Falcons last weekend and won't make life easy for the big Marist pack. A loss to the North Harbour Tigers will still be fresh in the minds of Marist Richmond and they certainly will be looking to get back to their winning ways.

Marist Richmond Brothers vs Eastern Tornadoes Grey Lynn Park, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Marist Richmond Brothers: J. Taivale, T. Ropati, J. Tavita, A. Murray, M. Taulapapa, G. Rota, B. Perenara, K. Cawdron, J. Fiu, A. Su'a, H. Turua (C), R. Seuala, S. Sika Reserves: I. Va'aelua, B. Douglas, T. Taua'a, E. Leavai Coach: Bernie Perenara

Eastern Tornadoes: R. Piakura, N. Ngametua, S. Moala, K. Fakalata, J. Murphy, Z. Luisi, L. Lafaele, F. Moala, H. Rangi, A. Leau, I. Liava'a, S. Paeu, K. Umbers Reserves: M. Latu, N. Pulu, W. Morunga, P. Menary Coach: Boss Cecil

Mt Albert Lions host Hibiscus Coast Raiders at a new field this weekend, at the Unitec grounds on Carrington Rd. The field is just magnificent," states Lions coach Brian McClennan . "It's the best I've ever come across and it's the best in the Bartercard competition." Former Warrior Anthony Swann is in the starting line-up for the Lions. A fine win over the Counties Manakau Jets in Round 4 will set the team up well against Brian McClennan's former club the Raiders, who last week fell apart in the second half at Wellington.

Mt Albert Lions vs Hibiscus Coast Raiders Unitec Mt Albert, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

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

Hibiscus Coast Raiders: C. Te Kiri, T. Jurgensen, O. Manuel, D. Tepu, J. Vaifale, M. Ashe, T. Thompson, J. Asiata, P. Prime, T. Nikora, W. Henare, J. Tavaga, C. Shears (C) Reserves: M. Heke, G. Moana, D. Avega, R. Gilmore Coach: Tony Benson

A hard game ahead between Otahuhu Ellerslie and Counties Manakau Jets is set to be played at Ericsson No.2 ground on Saturday afternoon. The Jets suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of Mt Albert in Round 4, so they will be wanting to put that behind them. Otahuhu Ellerslie, under the guidance of James Leuluai, took the major scalp of the Canterbury Bulls earlier in Round 4 and will be brimming with confidence led by Sinave Faitala at the front once more.

Otahuhu Ellerslie vs Counties Manukau Jetz Ericsson No.2, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Otahuhu Ellerslie: P. Aitken, G. Ruka, D. Fisiiahi, P. Fisiiahi, J. Tavaga, J. Yandall, C. Wetini, S. Faitala, F. Tikinau, A. Fausa, R. Johnson, T. Frost, M. Langdon Reserves: S. Tueafo, B. Broughton, F. Tupou, F. Nuuausala Coach: James Leuluai

Counties Manukau Jetz: P. Tafea, I. Hagatoa, G. Eliki, S. Fa'alogo, W. Leolahi, J. Ioapo, A. Herangi, A. Pereira, C. Motu, N. Su'e, A. Tusani, M. Vili, W. Barnett (C) Reserves: J. Karaitiana, S. Foketi, M. Suniula, T. Ufi Coach: Dean Hunter

With the Stallions scraping in for a draw last week against Glenora, coaches Tawera Nikau and Len Reid will be looking for a much improved performance, especially on defence, by the Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions. The shock loss of halfback Hayden Karena to the Cowboys NRL franchise will mean the Stallions will be looking for another top notch kicker to fill his boots for the rest of the season. The Falcons at home will be a lot tougher than they were last week against the Tornadoes.

Central Falcons vs Waicoa Bay Stallions Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North 2.30pm Kick Off

Central Falcons: S. Forbes, S. Tavita, W. Live, M. Whakatihi, N. Coburn, G. Aitken, G. Kerrisk, R. Hurunui, P. Aumua, M. Graham (C), S. Leota, J. Watson, D. Cooper Reserves: D. Kahuroa, P. Nanai, M. Creedy, T. Hibbs Coach: P. Sixtus

Waicoa Bay Stallions: B. Ingram, R. Peri, J. Kaho, T. Matthews, H. Wilson, N. Kaa, H. Karena, J. David, C. Norton (C), B. Tawera, D. Kete, K. Tumoana, H. Kingi Reserves: D. Wahanga, B. Whitiora, V. Moana-Mason, T. Soti Coach: Tawera Nikau / Len Reid

Canterbury Bulls once more have a home game on Saturday night and Wellington know it will be tough to knock them down. With fullback Sione Lusi looking to be back in the Bulls side, James McDonald will revert to the centres and Jason Manning will start in the second-row, as they did in the 54-4 thrashing of Mount Albert Lions. Chris Newton, who has been a power house for the Bulls off the bench, may not be playing which could be good news for Wellington. The Raiders last week suffered at the hands of Wellington who looked impressive right across the park. This would have to be the match of the round with Wellington one point ahead of the Bulls on the competition ladder.

Canterbury Bulls vs Wellington Rugby League Park, Christchurch 6.00pm Kick Off

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

Wellington: C. Fox, I. Luke, M. Nathan, V. Manu, D. Laula, J. Te Reo, J. MacDonald, T. Lavulavu, J. Carnegie, F. Laumua, T. Hall, C. Savali (C), D. Rota Reserves: D. Hape, S. Mannering, J. Parekura, No.17 TBA Coach: Paul Bergman

Sunday 23 May 2004

Glenora Bears showed last week they know how to play 80 minutes of tough football when they managed to keep top of the table Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions to a 34 all draw after looking down and out at halftime. They will certainly give the North Harbour Tigers a run for their money when they take on the boys from across the bridge on Sunday afternoon at the Harold Moody Ground in Auckland. The Tigers toppled Marist Richmond Brothers in the early part of Round 4 and have had a week off to build on that win. Another good game ahead for the Bartercard Cup competition.

Glenora Bears vs North Harbour Tigers Harold Moody Recreation Ground, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Glenora Bears: T. Toailoa, C. Nahu, L. Waqa, K. Alefosio, A. Iole, G. Lilo, S. Ieremia, M. Toelau (C), D. Mackie, V. Mafi, K. Edmondson, L. Tamatoa, C. Waide Reserves: M. Alai, R. Ah Van, I. Retzlaff, V. Tutuila Coach: Geoff Morton

North Harbour Tigers: T. Samoa, K. Johnson, L. Copestake, T. Fatui, G. Macpherson, D. Vasau, J. Trott, A. Aukafolau, Q. Ikifana (C), J. Duff, D. Leuila-Briggs, S. Lui, J. Kamariera Reserves: R. colley, D. Moses, C. Tupou, No.17 TBA Coach: Karl Benson / Kenneth McIntosh

Saturday 22 May 2004

Marist Richmond Brothers vs Eastern Tornadoes Grey Lynn Park, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Mt Albert Lions vs Hibiscus Coast Raiders Unitec Mt Albert, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Otahuhu Ellerslie vs Counties Manukau Jetz Ericsson No.2, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Central Falcons vs Waicoa Bay Stallions Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North 2.30pm Kick Off

Canterbury Bulls vs Wellington Rugby League Park, Christchurch 6.00pm Kick Off

Sunday 23 May 2004

Glenora Bears vs North Harbour Tigers Harold Moody Recreation Ground, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off