Preview for the Final Pool Play of
NZ 's Bartercard Cup 2004

In the final regular round of Bartercard Cup 2004, there are still four teams vying for the last two positions in the top five. Eastern Tornadoes found the pace to hot to handle last week, going down 62-32 to Canterbury Bulls ending chance of making the finals. In the match of the round, top placed Marist Richmond Bulldogs tasted defeat for the second time this year, going down 30-26 to second place Mt Albert Lions. The loss cuts their lead to one point on the table, and puts them in danger of missing their second Minor Premiership in as many years.

Tigers and Bulls are favoured to claim the last two spots, playing teams well below them on the table.

North Harbour Tigers (4th)

The Tigers put away a brave Glenora Bears side last weekend, and take on the struggling Eastern Tornadoes away from home this weekend. The Tigers should claim the two points, and put on a large score to help their for and against. Which is important for the North Harbour based team, as fourth place will secure a home match against the 5th placed team.

Eastern Tornadoes T. Leaunoa, N. Ngametua, R. Piakura, K. Fakalata, S. Moala, D. Smith, R. Marsters, K. Mene, L. Lafaele, M. Latu, I. Liava'a, S. Smith, H. Rangi, (reserves) D. Harriman, S. Paeu, A. Lafaele,A. Leau

Coach - Boss Cecil

Nth Harbour Tigers T. Berry, T. Samoa, K. Johnson, L. Copstake, N. Roberts, J. Roberts, J. Golf, J. Trott, J. Duff, D. Glasgow, D. Briggs, J. Kamirera,Q. Tikifana,D. Vasau (reserves) T. Ah - Voa, A. Aulkafalau, G.Mac Pherson, R. Colley

Coach - K. Benson / K. McIntosh

Canterbury Bulls (5th)

Had a massive victory over the Tornadoes at home, which ended a four match losing streak. The 2003 Bartercard Cup Champions are looking very dangerous, and will take on struggling Waicoa Bay Stallions at home this Saturday night. The Stallions are coming off a loss to bottom place Raiders, and will be looking to save face in their last match of their debut season.

Canterbury Bulls J. McDonald, P. McDonald, R. Martin, C. Fraser, C. Herekotukutuku, A. Harris, J. O'Brien, V. Whare, A. Auimatagi, A. Timo, S. Wallace,J. Manning, C. Lawrie, (reserves) C. Newton, P. Asi, M. Clarkson, K. Ferris

Coach - Phil Prescott

Waicoa Bay Stallions J. Auru, H. Wilson, V. Moana - Mason, B. Ingram, S. Stosic, N. Kaa, T. Mathews, B. Tawera, J. Pooley, J. David, K. Tumoana, K. Wilson, C. Norton , (reserves) B.Roberts,S. Andrews,S. Rapira, C. Fletcher

Coach - T Nikau / L. Reid

Wellington (6th)

Wellington?s loss last weekend to the Jetz may have killed any chance of making the finals this year. The loss has made it mission impossible this weekend as they need to beat the second place Lions, and hope that the Tigers or Bulls lose to have any chance of making the finals. Wellington will be strengthen by having their Junior Kiwis back for the vital match. Unfortunately Simon Mannering will be unavailable, as he is still suffering from a virus. The Lions will be full of confidence, and will be hard to beat on their home turf. They need victory and hope Marist loses, to win the Minor Premiership and gain a vital week off in the finals. It will be also of major interest to see how you centre Josh Davis, goes after last weeks match for the Junior Kiwis.

Mt Albert Lions A. Bauer, M.Manu, R. Godfrey, A. Fungapo, R. Baxter, S. Buckingham, K. Wright, S. Pouha, L. Talamaivoa, D. Davis, R. Wigg, J. Todd, G. Malieatoa - Brown (reserves) J. Noble, K. Papa, F. Seuter, P. Teniseli

Coach - Brian McClennan

Wellington J. McDonald, T. Ioane, M. Nathan, J. Davies, I. Luke, M. Karawana, E. Vaa, C. Savali, T. Brown, T. Lavulavu, H. Luapo, H. Laban, R. Williams, (reserves) D. Laulu, J. Carnegie, F. Laumua, J. Te Reo

Counties Manukau Jetz (7th)

The Jetz chances of making the top five are very slim, even after victory last weekend against Wellington. They need both Wellington an Bulls to lose, and need to beat the Falcons to make the five. Though beating the second to last Falcons will be tuff away from home. The Falcons have been easy beats at home this year, and will be looking to end the season on a happy note for the faithful supporters. This will be the first clash ever between these two teams in the Bartercard Cup.

Central Falcons W. Live, T. Cahill, N. Hohaia, M. Whakatihi, S. Forbes, T. Clune, T. Erihe, R. Hurunui, G. Kerrisk, M. Graham, T. Greig, S. Leota, K. Savage, (reserves) L. Erihe, T. Falau, D. Fa'apito, S. Kanavatoa

Coach - P. Sixtus

Counties Manukau Jetz L. Finnerty, J. Karaitiana, P. Tafea, S. Foketi, G. Eliki, J. Ioapo, A. Clyde, H. Barclay, G. Leota, A. Pereira, A. Tusani,S. Fa'alogo, W. Barnett (reserves), A. Moerua, L.Moala, M. Vili, N. Sue

Coach - D. Hunter

Other matches this round sees Marist Richmond taking on Glenora Bears at Harold Moody Park Auckland on Sunday. The match is vital for the Brothers, as victory will see them wrap up the Minor Premiership. And last place Hibiscus Coast Raiders will host Otahuhu Ellerslie at Stanmore Bay Auckland on Sunday. Otahuhu will have to be on guard against the Raiders, who in front of their home crowd are a tuff team to beat.

Glenora Bears B. Stewart, A. Iole, K. Alifosio, L.Waqa, H. Guttenbeil, G. Bailey, S. Ieremia, M. Toelau, H. Godinet, B. Valeni, V. Tutuila, C. Smith, C. O'Conner , (reserves) D. Sheperd, W. Selwyn, D. Mackie, T. Papali

Coach - G. Morton

Marist Richmond Brothers J. Petelesio, T. Ropati, J. Tavita, R. Henry, M. Talapapa, G. Rota, T.B.A, K. Cawdron, M. France, A. Su'a, R. Seuala, K. Guttenbeil, A. Murray (reserves) S. Sika, B. Douglas, H. Kapi, J. Kellet

Coach - B. Perenara

Hibiscus Coast Raiders D. Cassidy, B. Price, O. Manuel, J. Vaifale, R. Gilmore, C. Shears, M. Ashe, V. Dunn, C. Te Kiri, T. Nikora, S. Tereora, W. Henare, G. Hau, (reserves) T. Raniera, D. Avega, S. Matafeo, T. Thompson

Coach T. Benson

Otahuhu Ellerslie P. Atkens, D. Fisi'ahi, D. Fisi'ahi, M. Vatuvai, C. Vuna, J. Yandell, T. Leuluai, S. Faitala, J. Tavaga, A. Fausa, S. Tufeao, T. Frost, F. Nu'uasala , (reserves) R. Johnson, M. Langdon, T.B.A, T.B.A

Coach J. Leuluai

North Harbour Tigers 17 Canterbury Bulls 16 Wellington 15 Counties Manukau Jetz 15

Courtesy of http://www.rugbyleaguenz.com