NZ Bartercard Cup - Round
9 Preview

With the NSW Country side touring next week, some of the players chosen for representative honours may find themselves playing up to three very tough games in one week.

Firstly with Round 9 on the Bartercard Cup competition this weekend, followed by the Auckland rep side taking on NSW Country on Tuesday night at Ericsson No.2 ground, kick off at 7.30pm, and finishing with the New Zealand A side playing NSW Country on Sunday July 4th, at North Harbour Stadium, kick off at 2.30pm.

BARTERCARD CUP - ROUND 9:

Saturday 26 June 2004

The first game for Round 9 of the competition has the Hibiscus Coast Raiders hosting the in form Mt Albert Lions on Saturday afternoon at Stanmore Bay. Unfortunately for the Raiders, although the team has started to gel, the points are not showing on the board as they sit quite firmly on the bottom of the table. Once again Raiders Shannon Stowers may be called into the Warriors side. Daniel Floyd from the Raiders has been named the NZ A fullback, with Shannon Stowers also named in the team.

The Lions had a great win over the Tornadoes last weekend and will be looking to improve on this. These two teams have already met this year, with a 50 point plus victory to the Lions and with the way the team is playing at the moment, it is quite likely to happen again. Lions five-eighth Steve Buckingham has been named to captain the New Zealand A side for their game next Sunday along with Rowan Baxter.

Hibiscus Coast Raiders vs Mt Albert Lions 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 (No.16 & 17 TBA) Coach: Tony Benson

Mt Albert Lions: A. Bauer, M. Manu, R. Godfrey, A. Fungapo, R. Baxter, S. Buckingham (C), J. Noble, S. Pouha, L. Talamaivao, D. Davis, J. Todd, M. Asaou, T. Tuimavave Reserves: R. Wigg, F. Soutar, G. Maleatoa-Brown, J. Tau Coach: Brian McClennan / Noora Samuela

Marist Richmond Brothers coach Bernie Perenara has his side performing extremely well and I feel the Falcons although not losing in the last 2 rounds may just feel the brunt of the Brothers attack when they travel up to Auckland for Saturday afternoon's game at Grey Lynn Park.

The form of the Marist side has been well rewarded with 4 of their players making the NZ A side to face NSW Country next Sunday at Albany, and the healthy position at the top of the table. Ricky Henry, Kurt Cawdron, Henry Turua and Bernie Perenara are the players named from Marist Richmond Brothers.

Marist Richmond Brothers vs Central Falcons Grey Lynn Park, Auckland 2.30pm 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, K. Guttenbeil, R. Seuala Reserves: S. Sika, B. Douglas, (No.16 TBA), J. Pukepuke Coach: Bernie Perenara

Central Falcons: C. Paniera, S. Forbes, N. Hohia, T. Greig, P. Heller, P. Kerrisk, P. Hales, D. Fa'apito, L. Erihe, M. Graham (C), J. Watson, K. Savage, S. Leota Reserves: P. Amua, J. Pivac, D. Cooper, W. Wharepapa Coach: Peter Sixtus

Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions started well against the Jetz last Sunday only to ease off allowing the Counties Manakau a healthy lead, it proved too hard for the Stallions to peg back in the finish. With Eastern Tornadoes this week in Hamilton, the Stallions shouldn't get into the luxury of complacency or the Tornadoes will make them pay.

The Eastern side suffered heavily in Round 9 at the hands of the in form Mt Albert side and I'm sure will be smarting from that loss much to the detriment of the Stallions on Saturday afternoon.

If the Stallions can lift their defence for the full 80 minutes which has been a problem in the past few rounds, they should have the wood over the Tornadoes. Blair Ingram back in the side at fullback will be positive for the team. He can be stroppy at times but is a brilliant fullback.

This should be a top class game and really tough to pick a winner.

Waicoa Bay Stallions vs Eastern Tornadoes Resthills Park, Hamilton 3.00pm Kick Off

Waicoa Bay Stallions: B. Ingram, R. Peri, H. Wilson, J. Kaho, D. Campbell-Benson, N. Kaa, T. Matthews, B. Tawera, C. Norton (C), J. David, D. Kete, H. Kingi, K. Tumoana Reserves: T. Soti, B. Roberts, M. Walker, B.Whitiora Coach: Tawera Nikau / Len Reid

Eastern Tornadoes: T. Hewitt, N. Ngametua, R. Piakura, K. Fakalata, I. Paulo, Z. Luisi, W. Morunga, A. Lafaele, L. Lafaele, A. Leau, I. Liava'a, N. Pulu, S. Paeu Reserves: M. Latu, S. Smith, P. Menary, H. Rangi Coach: Boss Cecil

Sunday 27 June 2004

Canterbury Bulls host the Counties Manakau Jetz on Sunday afternoon in Christchurch. Never a happy place for visiting side, the Bulls will feel confident although the loss to the North Harbour Tigers last weekend would've rocked them. The Bulls have three of their players named in the New Zealand A side to be coached by the Bulls coach, Phil Prescott, Andrew Auimatagi, Sam Wallace and the dynamic interchange player Chris Newton.

Counties Manakau Jetz fought out a try-packed win over the Stallions and looked very good on defence. Aoterangi Herangi from the Jetz has been named as the New Zealand A halfback.

The game will be a great spectacle for the supporters but I can't go past the Bulls winning at home yet again.

Canterbury Bulls vs Counties Manukau Jetz Rugby League Park, Christchurch 2.30pm Kick Off

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

Counties Manukau Jetz: L. Finnerty, P. Tafea, A. Pereira, I. Hagaitoa, S. Foki, J. Ioapo, A. Herangi, M. Sunuila, G. Eliki, N. Su'e, A. Tusani, M. Tusani, M. Vili, W. Barnett (C) Reserves: J. Karatiana, S. Foketi, R. Peters, T. Tuifelasai Coach: Dean Hunter

Glenora Bears travelled away done to Palmerston North last weekend and came away with their third draw of the competition. Back at home this Sunday I'm sure they'll be looking for a better result.

Unfortunately for them the Otahuhu Ellerslie side has shot up to third place on the competition table and will not be easily knocked down. Boosted by the return of Thomas Leuluai from the Warriors with his general field work, the Otahuhu Ellerslie should pick up the win at Waitakere City.

Lee Tamatoa and Ben Valeni from the Bears have been named on the bench for the NZ A rep game next Sunday. Frank-Paul Nuuausala, who scored 2 tries last week in the easy win over the Eastern Tornadoes has also made the run on side, along with Paul Fisi'iahi .

Glenora Bears vs Otahuhu Ellerslie Waitakere Stadium, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Glenora Bears: T. Toailoa, C. Nahu, L. Tamatoa, K. Alfosio, L. Waqa, S. Ieremia, T. Papali'i, M. Toelau (C), H. Godinet, V. Mafi, K. Edmondson, V. Tutuila, C. Waide Reserves: M. Alai, A. Iole, B. Stewart, I. Retzlaff Coach: Geoff Morton

Otahuhu Ellerslie: P. Atkin, G. Ruka, P. Fisi'iahi, J. Tavaga, D. Fisi'iahi, J. Yandall, T. Leuluai, S. Faitala (C), G. Va'afuasuaga, F. Tupou, Sialii Tueafo, T. Frost, Frank-Paul Nuuausala Reserves: R. Johnson, M. Langdon (No. 16 & 17 TBA) Coach: James Leuluai

North Harbour Tigers have their second home game in a row this weekend, following on from their impressive win over the Canterbury Bulls. The side has now made their way into the Top 5. Karl Johnson the speedster in the Tigers side is also named in the New Zealand A side.

Wellington has the talent to bring down the Tigers at home, the inconsistency of the young side their major downfall.

North Harbour Tigers vs Wellington North Harbour Stadium, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

North Harbour Tigers: T. Berry, T. Samoa, K. Johnson, L. Copestake, S. Torbet, J. Golf, J. Trott, Q. Ikifana (C), D. Glasgon, J. Duff, D. Leuila-Briggs, A. Aukafolau, J. Kamareira Reserves: C. Tupou, G. Macpherson, S. Feterika, W. Roberts Coach: Karl Benson / Kenneth McIntosh

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

Round 9:

Saturday 26 June 2004

Hibiscus Coast Raiders vs Mt Albert Lions Stanmore Bay Reserve, Whangaparaoa 2.30pm Kick Off

Marist Richmond Brothers vs Central Falcons Grey Lynn Park, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

Waicoa Bay Stallions vs Eastern Tornadoes Resthills Park, Hamilton 3.00pm Kick Off

Sunday 27 June 2004

Canterbury Bulls vs Counties Manukau Jetz Rugby League Park, Christchurch 2.30pm Kick Off

Glenora Bears vs Otahuhu Ellerslie Waitakere Stadium, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off

North Harbour Tigers vs Wellington North Harbour Stadium, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off