The Ranfurly Shield is on the move again and will be up for grabs once again this weekend as Otago host the winless North Harbour.
I’m not sure how I feel about North Harbour potentially being able to snag the shield with their first win of the season, but even if they do, they’ll have to defend it against Southland in the final game of the round robin.
We saw some high scoring affairs with all but one of the games totalling over 50 points! Let’s hope the points keep flowing and the try scorers keep coming in for Round 9 of the NPC!
Both these teams are coming off wins in Round 8, and I’m trying to figure out whose win was more impressive.
The Steamers cruised past the Turbos away from home, but Waikato grinded out a win against Tasman in a game that needed to go to Golden Point. Josh Moorby dotted in the 87th minute to secure the win.
There’s plenty to play for between these two sides as Bay of Plenty sit just one point above Waikato on the ladder.
Waikato have not convincingly won a game all season long, but they do find themselves in dogfights most weeks, keeping it tight and more often than not have come away with a one-point victory.
They haven’t beaten the Steamers in their last three clashes, but have won two from five and only lost by more than 10 once. In what’s been a scrappy season for Waikato and a mixed bag for the Steamers, I think it’ll be a close affair.
The ecstasy off the bench when the final whistle went, and Otago came out victorious over Canterbury last week and lifted the shield.
They now have to turn around and defend it right away against the winless North Harbour.
Lucky them.
North Harbour came agonisingly close to their first win last week, leading for the final half hour, right up until the 80th minute when Reihana knocked over a penalty to win 22-21.
I’m guessing North Harbour have parked that result, and all eyes will be focused on their first win of the season, being in a game to win the shield.
Otago started slow but got their rolling maul going and offloaded very well in the second half, which put the pressure back on Canterbury. I’m expecting them to be quicker out of the blocks this time around, and once they get going, like many teams have against North Harbour, they won’t stop.
The reason I’ve picked this game for the value SGM is because I’m picking a high scoring affair and hopefully plenty of try scorers.
Starting with Counties to win 13+, they haven’t had too much trouble with the Turbos in the past, winning each of the last three and scoring 40+ points while doing so.
The Turbos have had their scoring opportunities too, scoring 33, 19 and 26 in those three losses.
Plenty of points and plenty of try scorers, so let’s see if we can snipe a few.
Gibson Popoali’i dotted down twice last weekend, and both Josh Gray and Etene Nanai-Seturo got one each. These three accounted for four of the seven Counties Manukau’s tries.
We’re hoping for a repeat from the form backs, looking for a similar of combination.
- Counties Manukau 13+
- Over 67.5 Total Points
- Etene Nanai-Seturo / Joshua Gray 2+ Tries Combined
- Gibson Popoali’I Anytime Try Scorer
When you get in the betcha app, be sure to take advantage of the Same Game Multi Cover tool, so if the multi misses by one leg, you’ll get your stake back as bonus cash up to $50.
- Hawke’s Bay -7.5
- Tasman 13+
- Otago 13+
- Canterbury 13+
When you get in the betcha app, be sure to take advantage of the Multi Rescue tool, so if the multi misses by one leg, you’ll get your stake back as bonus cash up to $50.