NPC Week Two

[Anders]

Plenty of home dogs here for Whale to sink his many teeth into ...

Div One:
Taranaki $2.25 v Wellington $1.60
Nth Harbour $2.65 v Waikato $1.35
Northland $3.75 v Canterbury $1.25
Bay of Plenty $4.25 v Auckland $1.22
Counties Manukau $1.33 v Southland $2.35

Div Two:
King Country $3.75 v Nelson Bays $1.25
Manawatu $1.20 v Mid Canterbury $4.00
Marlborough $3.50 v Hawke's Bay $1.25
East Coast $1.45 v Wanganui $2.55

Cartman - Horowhenua not playing til next weekend; will have to keep the tinder dry

 

[Anders]

Value here for u Wellington fans on the futures market

Canterbury $3
Waikato $4 (glad I got on last week

)
Auckland $4
Otago $4.50
Wellington $8

Nth Harbour $30
Northland $30
Taranaki $40
BOP $75
Counties $100
Southland $200

 

[Anders]

Just a few notes for assistance and info ... a long wait for the spreads

RUGBY-NPC-COUNTIES
COUNTIES COACH IGNORES SOUTHLAND'S POOR AWAY FORM
Invercargill, Aug 15 - Counties-Manukau coach Andrew Talaimanu is ignoring Southland's abysmal away record ahead of Sunday's NPC rugby match at Pukekohe.
Southland haven't won an NPC game away from home since 1990, but the straight-talking Talaimanu doesn't care for superstitions or sports trivia.
``They were saying the Wallabies had never won at Carisbrook --until last weekend,'' he said.
``Southland have actually toured quite well in recent years and they nearly won against Waikato last year. They played very well that day.''
Southland's only win last season came at the expense of the South Aucklanders, despite Counties outscoring the home team four tries to one.
``Our history shows that we win scoring tries, but we have to take a more resolute stance with our defence if we are going to be successful.''
Talaimanu was disappointed with the nature of his team's 63-21 first up loss to Waikato.
``We were outclassed by a very good team, we had our moments but they have a good backline and were able to rattle up 28 points in one period.''
Southland and Counties have already been put on the back foot by the early form of newly promoted Bay of Plenty, who beat defending champions Wellington 14-11.
Talaimanu hopes to have fullback Loki Crichton back for the game against Southland.
Crichton has been struggling with a leg strain after producing an impressive Super 12 campaign with the resurgent Chiefs.
``We've only got three Super 12 players so we need to have all of them playing,'' Talaimanu said.
NZPA

 

[Anders]

RUGBY-NPC-LOAN-N/L
AUCKLAND BOWS TO PRESSURE, ENDS LOAN WRANGLE
Auckland, Aug 15 - Auckland have adopted a ``bring it on'' attitude towards playing against former teammates on loan to Bay of Plenty after a quick pow-wow today on the simmering controversy.
Auckland's players met today and urged chief executive David White to allow the loan pair to play against Auckland on Saturday night in Rotorua.
``Our players were concerned about the negative vibes on the matter and asked if the ARU's decision could be altered,'' coach Wayne Pivac said.
Auckland had loaned Jason Chandler and Dale Rasmussen to the Bay for the season but decreed that neither should play against their original union in the NPC. The reason given was that Auckland wanted every edge in the competition.
While no one from the ARU would make further comment, the New Zealand Herald reported the clause was put in the agreement because the Bay had been wooing some players without telling Auckland.
But when the row erupted this week, the Auckland players felt uncomfortable about the ruckus and asked the ARU to change their mind.
White said because of the wishes of the team the ARU would waive their policy about not allowing loan players outside the Blues Super 12 franchise area to play against Auckland.
``The ARU will be reviewing its loan policy at the end of the season to avoid these issues in the future,'' he said.
Auckland have made one change to their side. Lock Bradley Mika is out of rugby for a month with a knee injury and his place is taken by the seasoned Robin Brooke. Ali Williams comes into the reserves.
The Bay have delayed naming their team until later tomorrow.
One player who will not be there is prop Steve Simpkins, who has been suspended until August 27 by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union judicial committee.
Simpkins was cited for foul play after an incident at a ruck during the shock 14-11 win over Wellington in the capital last Sunday.
Simpkins will miss only one NPC game as the Bay have the bye in the third round of games on August 24-26.
The win over the defending NPC champions Wellington gave the Bay their best possible start in their bid to remain in division one.
``Realistically it is going to be a pretty tough year,'' coach Gordon Tietjens warned.
``It should be remembered that Northland lost every game in their first year back in division one while Southland have won something like three games in as many years.''
Auckland: Mils Muliaina, Iliesa Tanivula, Eroni Clarke, Joeli Vidiri, Jeremy Stanley, Carlos Spencer, Steve Devine, Samiu Vahafolau, Justin Collins, Robin Brooke, Charles Riechelmann, Xavier Rush (captain) Christian Califano, Keven Mealamu, Nick White. Reserves: Justin Wilson, Amasio Valence, Kevin Senio, Stephen Bates, Ali Williams, Paul Thomson, James Christian.
NZPA

 

[Anders]

RUGBY-NPC-CANTERBURY
BARRELL HOPES TO GET ON WINNING ROLL
Christchurch, Aug 15 - Durable Canterbury prop Con Barrell is one New Zealand rugby player who might take some comfort from Australia beating the All Blacks at Carisbrook.
The Wallabies broke their Dunedin jinx last Saturday, winning their first test in the city in 96 years.
Barrell also has a monkey on his back which he wants to remove when Canterbury open their NPC first division campaign against Northland at Whangarei on Saturday afternoon.
The match against his old province will be Barrell's 62nd for the red-and-blacks which entitles him to his second Canterbury blazer.
But Barrell's milestone matches have been marked by disappointments and he is determined that trend should end.
His Canterbury debut, against Otago, finished in a 27-6 loss; his blazer game was when Canterbury lost the Ranfurly Shield, 35-0, to Auckland in 1995; his 50th appearance was against Northland in the NPC two years ago when Canterbury suffered an upset loss at Whangarei.
``My first game for Northland was a loss and my last game for them was also a loss,'' Barrell added.
The 27-20 loss to his former teammates two years ago really hurt, though, and should steel his resolve on Saturday.
Canterbury scored two early tries then relaxed. The tide turned quickly and Canterbury were unable to stem it.
``We went to sleep,'' Barrell admitted.
``All of us who were involved still remember that Northland game. It was one of the most memorable (for all the wrong reasons) that any of us in the squad have had.''
Barrell said Northland captain Glenn Taylor lifted his team just as Todd Blackadder did with Canterbury.
``He's exactly like Toddy. He gives everything. The boys from places like Northland and Taranaki are always tough, especially at home. You have to treat them with the utmost respect. If you're not fully focused you'll get a hiding.''
Barrell, at 34, might be in the twilight of his career, but the valuable front-rower -- he can prop either side -- is keen to continue and wants another Super 12 contract next year.
He knows that he might be loaned to Nelson Bays when All Black Greg Somerville returns, but that has not deflated him.
``I haven't had a lot of field time in the last couple of years, but I'm probably more passionate about my rugby now than I've ever been.
``Maybe not getting game time gives you more hunger to get out there. If I have to go to Nelson it gives me an opportunity to get more rugby and the chance to push my case for a Super 12 contract.''
Meanwhile, lock Chris Jack is the only present member of the All Blacks squad who will play for Canterbury against Northland.
Canterbury coach Steve Hansen said time was against other players being slotted into the squad which leaves for Whangarei tomorrow.
The All Black reserves are allowed to play for their provinces this weekend but Mark Hammett, Leon MacDonald and Andrew Mehrtens will not make the trip north.
``It is hard to leave out All Blacks but it is almost impossible (to bring them in) with only one training run.
``The other boys have worked very hard and done what we've asked of them.''
Jack, dropped from the All Blacks reserves' bench for Mark Cooksley, had been included because he had hardly played any football lately. The Canterbury team will be finalised tomorrow.
NZPA

 

[Anders]

RUGBY-NPC-WELLINGTON-N/L
CULLEN NOT NAMED, BUT COULD STILL PLAY
Wellington, Aug 15 - All Black fullback Christian Cullen has not been named in the Wellington rugby team to play Taranaki on Friday night, but may yet feature at New Plymouth's Rugby Park.
It appears Cullen could be brought into the side late, and possibly start off the bench, if his knee reacts well to tonight's training at WestpacTrust Stadium.
Coach Dave Rennie has made two changes to the side that started against Bay of Plenty in last Sunday's opening NPC match, with Kupu Vanisi starting at openside flanker and Tony Coughlan named ahead of Sam Johnstone at loosehead prop.
It will be Vanisi's second game since his knee was injured when it was stomped on by a Queensland Reds player in the first round of the Super 12 on February 24.
Vanisi played 70 minutes for the Wellington B team last week and will play until he runs out of energy on Friday night. Rodney So'oialo, who has moved to the bench, will come on for Vanisi.
Rennie said Cullen, who had knee surgery after the Super 12, was still in the reckoning for what is a must-win game for both teams.
``If he is confident he can give us 100 percent on Friday then we would look at him and we might start him off the bench. But it's so close to the game that we had to make a decision (in naming the team).''
Shannon Paku played fullback against Bay of Plenty and the New Zealand Colt was one of the better performers in the 14-11 loss.
But Cullen, provided he is running freely again, is a proven match winner.
His 748 first-class points includes 131 tries -- four of them in Wellington's championship-winning run last year.
The change at prop is an effort to get more mobility in the pack, with Coughlan rated better in the rucks and mauls than Johnstone.
However, Coughlan has not stood out as a strong scrummager and will be tested when he marks Hurricanes tighthead Gordon Slater.
By making only two changes to the starting 15, and none to the playing squad, Rennie has given his side a vote of confidence after their dreadful start to the NPC.
``We certainly felt we had the best team on the paddock last week, we were just out-enthused,'' Rennie said.
``Defensively we played well, but we did not get any go-forward with the ball in hand.
``Attitude is a big thing in rugby and it was not that the guys did not want to win, but the smaller unions are always going to get up against the bigger teams and if you're not quite there, you'll struggle.''
Taranaki also lost last weekend but coach Colin Cooper has also shown faith in his players.
In the only change to the team that started against Northland, Chris Woods comes on to the left wing, with Shayne Austin dropping to the bench.
It means Hurricanes lock Paul Tito will again be blindside flanker in a Hurricanes loose trio that has Brent Thompson on the openside and Campbell Feather at No 8.
Wellington: Shannon Paku, Lome Fa'atau, Jason O'Halloran, Brad Fleming, Paul Steinmetz, David Holwell, Jason Spice, Jerry Collins, Kupu Vanisi, Milton Ngauamo, Inoke Afeaki, Filo Tiatia, Tim Fairbrother, Norm Hewitt (captain), Tony Coughlan. Reserves: Apoua Stewart, Junior Fatialofa, Riki Flutey, Rodney So'oialo, Andrew Gallagher, Sam Johnstone, Shane Carter.
Taranaki: Daryl Lilley, Dominic Byrne, Fa'apulou So'olefai, Chris Woods, Mepi Faoagali, Mark Urwin, Brendan Haami, Campbell Feather, Brent Thompson, Keith Robinson, Andy Slater, Paul Tito, Gordon Slater, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn. Reserves: Shayne Austin, Bryce Robins, Denning Tyrell, Chris Masoe, Scott Breman, Jason Hooper, Daniel Smith.
NZPA

 

[Anders]

RUGBY-NPC-NORTHLAND
INJURY PROBLEMS HAMPER NORTHLAND
Whangarei, Aug 15 - Preparations for their NPC rugby match against Ranfurly Shield holders Canterbury here on Saturday got off to a less than perfect start for the Northland team yesterday.
A long list of injuries sidelined several players at training last night, among them captain Glenn Taylor and his locking partner Vula Maimuri.
Another four players were also on the invalids list with Northland coach Bryce Woodward hoping all six will be cleared to play before tomorrow's final training session when the team will be named.
``You don't worry about it. If they (players) are down, put someone else in there and get on with it,'' Woodward said.
``But with our lack of depth you obviously just can't ignore these injuries, it is a matter of putting other guys in there to do the work. It is what happens, people learn by experience.''
The injury toll though may rob Northland not only of their captain and lineout star but also try scoring wizard Rupeni Caucaunibuca who is battling an ankle strain.
The speedy Fijian was the star of Northland's first-up win over Taranaki last week.
Others on the doubtful list are centre Brad Miller (infection), utility Jason Hita (strained abductor muscle) and first five- eighth Aiden Vince (suspected concussion).
Taylor has an infected cut and Maimuri an ankle strain.
After completing video analysis of the win over Taranaki, the Northland team were put through a rugged session last night, their ability to make the most of attacking opportunities a high priority.
Woodward said the annoying feature of last week's game was the high error rate and the difficulty Northland had of retaining the ball for repeated phases.
He was pleased with Northland's second half performance though, which shut Taranaki out of the game.
However Canterbury will be a step up in intensity, their squad likely to be boosted by the arrival of some off-duty All Blacks.
NZPA

 

[Anders]

RUGBY-NPC-RESULTS/STANDINGS (repeating)
NPC ROUND ONE RESULTS
Wellington, Aug 12, NZPA - Results from round one of the NPC rugby competition at the weekend:
First division:
Friday
In Dunedin: Otago 15 (Hayden Reid, Brendan Laney tries; Laney con, pen) North Harbour 12 (Willie Walker 2 pen, Frano Botica 2 pen). Halftime: 7-6.
In Auckland: Auckland 29 (Iliesa Tanivula, Keven Mealamu, Xavier Rush, Justin Wilson tries; Carlos Spencer 3 con, pen) Southland 7 (Kuku Asolupe try; Earl Va'a con). Halftime: 10-7.
In New Plymouth: Northland 25 (Rupeni Caucaunibuca 2, Brett Waaka tries; Aiden Vince pen, James Arlidge pen, 2 con) Taranaki 20 (Faapulou Soolefai, Bryce Robins tries; Daryl Lilley 2 con, 2 pen). Halftime: 10-13.
Sunday
In Wellington: Bay of Plenty 14 (Sam Hala, Allan Bunting tries; Glen Jackson 2 con) Wellington 11 (Jason O'Halloran try; David Holwell 2 pen). Halftime: 7-3.
In Hamilton: Waikato 63 (Roger Randle 2, Keith Lowen 2, Grant McQuoid, Deacon Manu, David Briggs, Matt Priscott, Chresten Davis tries; David Hill 6 con, 2 pen) Counties-Manukau 21 (Grant Henson, Blair Feeney tries; Feeney con, 3 pen). Halftime: 29-16.
Standings (tabulate under: played, won, drawn, lost, points for, points against, bonus points, total points)
Waikato 1 1 - - 63 21 1 5
Auckland 1 1 - - 29 7 1 5
Northland 1 1 - - 25 20 - 4
Otago 1 1 - - 15 12 - 4
Bay of Plenty 1 1 - - 14 11 - 4
North Harbour 1 - - 1 12 15 1 1
Wellington 1 - - 1 11 14 1 1
Taranaki 1 - - 1 20 25 1 1
Southland 1 - - 1 7 29 - -
Counties-Manukau 1 - - 1 21 63 - -
Canterbury - - - - - - - -

Second division:
In Napier: Hawke's Bay 36 (Marius Kriel, Reece Robinson, Antony Papenfus, Karl Mudzamba tries; Kriel 4 pen, 2 con) East Coast 30 (Orcades Crawford 2, Tyrone Delamere tries; Mano Flutey 3 pen, 2 con; Victor Taingahue con). Halftime: 18-10.
In Wanganui: Manawatu 19 (Phonse Carroll try; John Guise 4 pen, con) Wanganui 15 (David Kereti, Dwayne Kemp tries; Aaron Chadwick pen, con). Halftime: 16-0.
In Paeroa: Thames Valley 16 (Glen Neems, Andrew van Hout tries; Aaron Steel 2 pen) King Country 14 (Baven Brown, Ollie Ryan tries; Michael Blank 2 con). Halftime: 14-11.
In Ashburton: Mid-Canterbury 26 (Phil Prendergast, Paul Chapman, Jason Gill tries; John Ellis con, 3 pen) Marlborough 10 (Sam Gibbons try; Barry Ria con, Dallas Hamilton pen). Halftime: 18-3.
Standings
Hawke's Bay 1 1 - - 36 30 1 5
Mid-Canterbury 1 1 - - 26 10 - 4
Manawatu 1 1 - - 19 15 - 4
Thames Valley 1 1 - - 16 14 - 4
King Country 1 - - 1 14 16 1 1
Wanganui 1 - - 1 15 19 1 1
East Coast 1 - - 1 30 36 1 1
Marlborough 1 - - 1 10 26 - -
Nelson Bays - - - - - - - -

 

[Anders]

Whale, Turtle - you guys got any thoughts?
Keen to get your opinions,

Expecting lines around ..

Taranaki - just the ML
Nth Harbour +5.5
Northland +8.5
BOP +10.5
Counties -4.5

 

[Anders]

NPC Rd Two:

Game One) Taranaki v Wellington, The Bullring, New Plymouth
Taranaki +3.5

Two teams already desperate not to fall off the pace after just seven days of the competition. Both teams suffered upset home losses last weekend as Taranaki squandered handy leads twice to Northland 25-20 and the defending champs were embarrased by Div One newcomers BOP 14-11.
Today we have our first home dog of the NPC and as Whale has pointed out, they regularly offer the punter value.
Taranaki do so today - after all, who could pick Wellington after last weekend's shambles. They have a hooker who can't throw the ball in properly in Norm Hewitt, a raw front row, lock Dion Waller still suspended and two of the three backline rock stars - Tana Umaga and Jonah Lomu - unavailable. All the talk of late says Christian Cullen will either start at fullback or play some part but I'd be a bit wary and wouldn't be too surprised if he didn't see too much action on a cold (likely to be around 8 degrees celsius) and possibly showery night.
The visitors have the more mobile loose forward trio with opensider Kupu Vanisi back and backed upwith Filo Tiatia and Jerry Collins with Rodney So'oalio off the bench.
But I think Taranaki can control this game up front. Their front row should have the upper hand over Wellington and their pack work and lineout is far more co-ordinated than Wellington. The home team need to find the right measure though between dominance up front and when to get the ball crisply to their backline.
Discipline will be a key factor - both teams have horrible records on this aspect, particularly when they meet each other.
Taranaki don't drop too many home points. They will be fired up by a sobering loss last weekend and know two home defeats to start the season may virtually kill their top-four hopes. While Wellington are also aware a similar fate awaits them, I'll take the home team with a better game plan and personnel to suit the conditions getting points.
PLAY TARANAKI +3.5

 

[turtle]

Anders, I am sorry but I rarely bet on rugby, I do enjoy watching it and do follow it, but as the sad TAB offers only 30 cent lines I dont bother even looking at betting on it. Also, and most importantly I suck at picking NPC results!!!!

 

[Anders]

And after last night, so do I

Taranaki were a ****ing rabble; some of the tries they conceded were a total embarassment

Oh, final score 17-35 in case some were wondering.... alas, alack, woe was me...

New day today; plays to follow...

 

[Anders]

A couple of Div Two dogs again for today...

Playing:

Wanganui to win at East Coast @ $2.55/+155
Marlborough to beat Hawke's Bay @ $4.00/+300
(half-unit)

Will also make one Div One wager:

Northland +12.5 v Canterbury

In the wet, after a morale-boosting first-up win over Taranaki, at home v a side which had the bye last weekend and are without their stack of ABs, gotta play the dog

GLTA

 

[Anders]

Adding:

Southland +6.5

GLTA