ITM Cup Preview: Round One, Part One

Following Northland's upset defeat over Taranaki on Thursday, a host of more intriguing matches are set to follow in the first round of the ITM Cup.

Following Northland's upset defeat over Taranaki on Thursday, a host of more intriguing matches are set to follow in the first round of the 2010 ITM Cup.

Two-time defending champions Canterbury host Hawke's Bay in a repeat of what many regard as the match of the season last year. It is best remembered for the no-try ruling when Hawke's Bay prop Sona Taumalolo was denied due the lack of a third match official.

Manawatu this week confirmed flanker Nick Crosswell as their captain and he will want his team to lift to repeat last year's defeat of Southland, whose pre-season has consisted of two Ranfurly Shield defence romps against North Otago and Wanganui.

The Steelers will open their account under the influence of All Black great Tana Umaga against Otago, while Bay of Plenty make the short trip to Hamilton for an exciting derby clash with Waikato.

Canterbury v Hawke's Bay

Canterbury begin the defence of their national provincial title against Hawke's Bay in Christchurch on Friday.

In a mouth-watering rematch of last year's semi-final, Canterbury face a tricky opening assignment against the Magpies who will be out for revenge at AMI Stadium.

Hawke's Bay tasted defeat twice to the Cantabs in 2009 – the first loss ended in controversial circumstances in Napier, but they couldn't complain too much about their second in the play-offs.

However, if there was any time for the Magpies to pounce and make another fine start to their ITM Cup campaign, it's now.

The red and black machine are missing seven players on All Blacks duty, along with an injured group consisting of Robert Fruean (heart trouble), number eight Nasi Manu (knee), halfback Andy Ellis (toe) and midfield backs Sonny Bill Williams (knee) and Adam Whitelock (concussion).

Canterbury coach Rob Penney will ask the starting XV to win this match, as the bench is almost entirely untried at this level.

“We know they will be up for this game and it's up to us to counter that. We're confident we'll put in a pretty good performance,” Penney said.

Hunting their fourth consecutive semi-final this season, Hawke's Bay are missing some firepower of their own in the form of Matt Berquist (Auckland) and Thomas Waldrom (Leicester) but they have added some notable class.

Kahn Fotuali'i proved in the Super 14 for the Crusaders that he is among the best scrum-halves in New Zealand, and former rugby league star Luke Rooney adds a true wildcard factor that will be watched with interest.

This is by far the match of the round and if history has its way, we could see an upset in Christchurch as Canterbury have started each of the last two seasons with opening-round losses before going on to claim the provincial crown.

Prediction: Can Hawke's Bay avenge last year's disappointments? It's going to be a tough ask, but we feel the Magpies have what it takes to upset the applecart in Week One. Hawke's Bay to win by three points.

The teams:

Canterbury: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Ash Parker, 7 George Whitelock (c), 6 Matt Todd, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Pete Borlase, 2 Steve Fualau, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Paul Ngauamo, 17 Andrew Olorenshaw, 18 Rob Verbakel, 19 Brendon O'Connor, 20 Matt George, 21 Robbie Flynn, 22 Telusa Veainu

Date: Friday, 30 July
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35pm

Saturday

Manawatu v Southland

Southland's chase for their third semi-final appearance in three years begins with an away clash to Manawatu in Palmerston North on Saturday.

The Turbos snuck a 25-23 win over Southland in Invercargill last season, so the Stags will be wary of their Round One opponents' ability to pull off an upset or two – especially with Manawatu's 'Bucket Head' faithful cheering them on.

However, the last time Manawatu last met the Stags at home (in 2008) they suffered a 5-18 loss. So home ground advantage won't count for much when these two sides square up.

The Turbos also have a lot to work on following a mixed performance in the pre-season where their form has been patchy.

But even with their loss against Hawke's Bay last week, the squad showed a huge improvement particularly with the set piece forming greater speed and accuracy in the line-out.

Southland, meanwhile, have shown a strong defence and powerful attack during their pre-season matches against Wanganui and North Otago in which they retained the Ranfurly Shield.

“Southland is putting their best side forward and a number of their players have a lot of Super 14 experience,” said Manawatu assistant coach Bruce Hemara.

“They have a big forward pack so the boys are going to have to work really hard so we can expect a very tough game full of intensity.”

In team news, new signing Shannon Paku will line up on the right wing for the Turbos. Paku previously played for Wellington before heading to the Montauban club in France, and was a long-serving Hurricanes player at Super 14 level.

Up front Mitchell Crosswell gets a chance to add to the two caps he earned in 2008 when he lines up at number eight in an otherwise experienced pack.

While Southland's forward pack largely picks itself, Stags co-coach Simon Culhane has opted to shake things up in the backs. Blues utility back James Wilson starts at fly-half, with Robbie Robinson moving to full-back for the first time since round four last season.

Glen Horton has been moved from his usual position at the back to the right wing, while Mark Wells has retained his wing assignment after scoring three tries in the past two games.

Matt Saunders, who missed the entire pre-season with a knee injury, has been named at centre after Wilson and Seminar Manu were trialled during the early Ranfurly Shield challenges.

Prediction: Southland's defeat to Manawatu last year will be all the motivation they need. The Stags to win by eight points.

The teams:

Manawatu: 15 Craig Clare, 14 Shannon Paku, 13 Hadleigh Parkes, 12 Francis Bryant, 11 Lote Raikabula, 10 Isaac Thompson, 9 Aaron Smith; 8 Mitchell Crosswell, 7 Doug Tietjens, 6 Nick Crosswell, 5 Reece Robinson, 4 Michael Fitzgerald, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Sean O'Connor, 1 Grant Polson.
Replacements: 16 Rob Foreman, 17 Shane Kingsland, 18 Hamish Gosling, 19 James Oliver, 20 Karl Bryson, 21 Tomasi Cama, 22 Casey Stone.

Southland: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Glen Horton, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Matt Saunders, 11 Mark Wells, 10 James Wilson, 9 Scott Cowan, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 Tim Boys, 6 John Hardie, 5 Joe Tuineau, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c). Replacements: Brayden Mitchell, Nic Barrett/Micheal Peterson, Dion Bates, Kane Thompson, Nick Annear, Pehi Te Whare, Tony Koonwaiyou.

Date: Saturday, 31 July