NZ Bartercard Cup - Round 7
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After a change of leaders on the table in Round 6 of New Zealand's Bartercard Cup in 2004, and only 4 points are separating first to tenth place, the competition if possible is about to become more intense nearly halfway through the rounds. Marist Richmond Brothers stand alone at the top the leaderboard with the rest of the teams snapping at their heels.

Friday 4 June 2004

First up on Friday night we have the Bartercard Cup leaders heading out to Papakura to take on the Counties Manakau Jetz side. A fine win by the Brothers in Round 6 over Otahuhu Ellerslie will see them well prepared to take on the Jetz who have come back from a recent slump in form to demolish the Eastern Tornadoes side last week. Evarn Tuimavave has been called into the NZ Warriors team this week. He has been in outstanding form for Marist and will be missed.

Counties Manukau Jetz vs Marist Richmond Brothers Massey Park Papakura, Auckland 7.30pm Kick Off

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

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

Saturday 5 June 2004

Eastern Tornadoes suffered a bad loss at the hands of the Jetz last week, compounded by late injuries to Zeb Lusi, with strained neck ligaments and out for a possible 6 weeks, and Kurt Umber who will basically be out for the season with a broken collarbone. They will come back strong I'm sure this week and give the Hibiscus Coast side a tough encounter at home, especially with the pretty quick backline. Once again the Raiders may just struggle this week although Daniel Floyd returning from injury last week and returning to the fullback position, certainly had a positive effect on the team.

Hibiscus Coast Raiders vs Eastern Tornadoes Stanmore Bay Reserve, Whangaparaoa 2.30pm Kick Off

Hibiscus Coast Raiders: C. Te Kiri, S. Jackson, O. Manuel, D. Tepu, J. Vaifale, D. Floyd, T. Thompson, S. Stowers, C. Shears (C), J. Asiata, T. Nikora, W. Henare, G. Moana Reserves: M. Heke, S. Tereora, V. Dunn, (No.17 TBA) Coach: Tony Benson

Eastern Tornadoes: J. Murphy, N. Ngametua, R. Piakura, S. Moala, J. Taurarii, T. Leanoa, W. Morunga, A. Lafaele, L. Lafaele, A. Leau, I. Liava'a, H. Rangi, S. Paeu Reserves: M. Latu, I. Paulo, D. Harriman, N. Pulu Coach: Boss Cecil

The Glenora Bears have the tough assignment of facing Canterbury Bulls in Christchurch on a Saturday night. Remaining unbeaten at home so far this year, and for the majority of 2003, the Bulls will be dominant. Glenora have caused the top placed teams in the competition a lot of grief but will really need their kicking game to be on target, which sadly has been lacking, to have any sort of show over the Canterbury side. The Bulls currently in second place will be looking to improve and coach Phil Prescott will have them fired up.

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

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

Glenora Bears: T. Toailoa, C. Nahu, L. Tamatoa, L. Waqa, A. Iole, H. Guttenbeil, T. Papali'i, L. Toli, H. Godinet, B. Valeni, M. Toelau, V. Tutuila, C. Waide Reserves: G. Lilo, K. Alefosio, I. Retzlaff, V. Mafi Coach: Geoff Morton

Sunday 6 June 2004

In my mind, the game of the round most certainly would be the curtain raiser to the Warriors/Raiders clash between the Mt Albert Lions and North Harbour Tigers. Both sides have the potential to take the game away. Mt Albert come off a solid performance over the Bears last week and the Tigers did it relatively easy over the Raiders in Round 6. With the competition so close, coming away with 2 points is very important to both these sides, so expect a tough and sometimes explosive match between the two teams. Definitely a game to see if you can.

Mt Albert Lions vs North Harbour Tigers Ericsson Stadium, Auckland (Curtain Raiser To Warriors vs Canberra Raiders) 11.35am Kick Off

Mt Albert Lions: A. Fungapo, M. Manu, R. Godfrey, G. Malietoa-Brown, R. Baxter, S. Buckingham (C), J. Noble, D. Davis, L. Talamaivao, S. Pouha, R. Wigg, K. Papa, T. Tuimavave Reserves: (No.14 & 15 TBA), F. Soutar, J. Todd Coach: Brian McClennan

North Harbour Tigers: T. Berry, K. Johnson, T. Fatui, L. Copestake, T. Samoa, D. Vasau, J. Trott, J. Duff, D. Glasgon, Q. Ikifana (C), A. Aukafolau, D. Leuila-Briggs, J. Kamareira Reserves: J. Golt, C. Tupou, R. Colley, S. Torbet Coach: Karl Benson / Kenneth McIntosh

Wellington managed to topple the previously undefeated Stallions last week with an impressive display of attacking football to be never threatened throughout the match. They take on the Central Falcons this week at home and I can't see them dropping this match. Although the Falcons have pushed some top sides this year, they haven't been able to carry it through for the full 80 minutes to produce a win whereas Wellington came come back strong in the second half of their matches.

Wellington vs Central Falcons Hutt Recreation Ground, Wellington 2.30pm Kick Off

Wellington: D. Laula, T. Ioane, V. Apuula, V. Manu, M. Nathan, C. Fox, J. Te Reo, F. Laumua, J. Carnegie, C. Savalii, T. Hall, S. Mannering, D. Hepi Reserves: J. MacDonald, R. Williams, T. Lavulavu, J. Hepi Coach: Paul Bergman

Central Falcons: N. Ngaru, S. Forbes, M. Whakatihi, T. Greig, N. Coburn, G. Kerrisk, P. Hales, W. Wharepapa, P. Amua, M. Graham (C), S. Leota, J. Watson, T. Clune Reserves: L. Erihe, W. Live, D. Fa'apito, R. Hurunui Coach: Peter Sixtus

Tawera Nikau, Len Reid and the Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions now know what it is like to lose a game after being solidly beaten last week by Wellington, and expect them to hit back strong against the Otahuhu Ellerslie side at Henham Park on Sunday afternoon. Defence would've been hot on the agenda this week for training at Huntly, as would discipline following an all-in brawl last week resulting once again in the sin-binning of fullback Blair Ingram.

Otahuhu Ellerslie coach James Leuluai welcomes back Thomas Leuluai into the team this week and as always he will add attacking options missing from the side that last week lost to competition leaders Marist Richmond Brothers. It will be a very even contest and another great game for the supporters.

Otahuhu Ellerslie vs Waicoa Bay Stallions Henham Park, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Otahuhu Ellerslie: P. Atkin, W. Pakalini, D. Fisiiahi, P. Fisiiahi, G. Ruka, C. Wetini, T. Leuluai, S. Fatala, G. Vaafuasaga, A. Fausa, S. Tueafo, T. Frost, R. Johnson Reserves: F. Tupou, F. Nuuausala (No.16 & 17 TBA) Coach: James Leuluai

Waicoa Bay Stallions: B. Ingram, R. Peri, D. Campbell-Benson, V. Moana-Mason, H. Wilson, N. Kaa, T. Matthews, B. Tawera, C. Norton (C), J. David, D. Kete, K. Tumoana, B. Whitiora Reserves: H. Kingi, S. Rapira, B. Roberts, J. Pooley Coach: Tawera Nikau / Len Reid

Round 7:

Friday 4 June 2004

Counties Manukau Jetz vs Marist Richmond Brothers Massey Park Papakura, Auckland 7.30pm Kick Off

Saturday 5 June 2004

Hibiscus Coast Raiders vs Eastern Tornadoes Stanmore Bay Reserve, Whangaparaoa 2.30pm Kick Off

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

Sunday 6 June 2004

Mt Albert Lions vs North Harbour Tigers Ericsson Stadium, Auckland (Curtain Raiser To Warriors vs Canberra Raiders) 11.35am Kick Off

Wellington vs Central Falcons Hutt Recreation Ground, Wellington 2.30pm Kick Off

Otahuhu Ellerslie vs Waicoa Bay Stallions Henham Park, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off