Mitre 10 Cup: Round 5 Preview

This weekend will see six Round 5 Mitre 10 Cup games being played between Friday the 14th of September and Sunday the 16th.

The Mitre 10 will continue this weekend with two fixtures taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. While the tournament hasn’t thrown up as many high-scoring thrillers as it has in the past, it has still been a joy to watch.

Here’s hoping Round 5 produces some more quality rugby.

Northland v Manawatu
Friday 15 September
Forsyth Barr
07:45

To Win (80 Mins)
Northland 11/20
Draw 17/1
Manawatu 15/10

Northland will be looking to bounce back from their narrow Round 4 defeat to Otago when they take on a Manawatu side that went down to Canterbury by 11-points last Saturday.

Northland have only won one game this season, with their sole victory coming against Taranaki in Round 3. Manawatu have also only won a single game this season and that win came against Waikato way back in Round 1.

Verdict: Northland 11/20
I’m backing the hosts to claim their second win of the season. Manawatu really aren’t playing good rugby and I think that they are ripe for the taking. 

___________________________________________________

Tasman v Taranaki
Friday 14 September
Trafalgar Park
09:45

To Win (80 Mins)
Tasman 4/10
Draw 20/1
Taranaki 2/1

Tasman will be hoping to further entrench themselves in the Premiership’s top 4 when they take on a Taranaki side that could leapfrog them into four with a bonus point win here.

The hosts head into Friday’s game off the back of a 36-10 defeat from Premiership leaders Auckland. The loss was Tasman’s first of the season, with the men from the South Island of New Zealand winning their other three games.

Taranaki also head into this one off the back of a Round 3 loss, which saw them go down by 14 points to a red-hot Waikato side.

Verdict: Tasman 4/10
The hosts should have no trouble getting one over a far from impressive Taranaki side on home soil.


___________________________________________________

Counties Manukau v Wellington
Saturday 15 September
Navigation Homes Stadium
04:05

To Win (80 Mins)
Counties 33/10
Draw 23/1
Wellington 2/9

Wellington will take on Counties Manukau in Saturday’s opener. This is a crucial game for both sides with the visitors eyeing a Premiership home semi-final and the hosts are looking to move into the last two semi-final berths.

Wellington had a bit of a had and miss time of it last week as their second stringers were well beaten by Waikato, while they managed to bag a 35-23 victory over North Harbour when they were at full strength.

Counties had a much more straightforward Round 3 as they beat Southland 26-43.

Verdict: Wellington 2/9
Counties may be heading into this one off a win but I can see their euphoria being shortlived. My money is on the visitors taking this one by 13 points or more.
___________________________________________________

Southland v Otago
Saturday 15 September
Rugby Park
07:05

To Win (80 Mins)
Southland 6/1
Draw 48/1
Otago 7/20

Southland will be looking for their first win of the season when they take on an Otago side that is gunning for a home Championship semi-final.

Southland head into this one off the back of a spirited 26-43 loss to Counties Manukau, in which they managed to claim a try-scoring bonus point.

Otago enjoyed a more fruitful week past as they beat Northland 27-23.

Verdict: Otago 7/20
This one should be a tight affair but one in which Otago prevail.


___________________________________________________

North Harbour v Bay of Plenty
Sunday 16 July
QBE Stadium
04:05

To Win (80 Mins)
North Harbour 6/10
Draw 18/1
Bay of Plenty 15/10

North Harbour will play their second game in less than a week when they square off with Bay of Plenty this Sunday. The hosts head into this one off the back of a 10-point home loss to Canterbury while Bay of plenty make the trip having gone down 29-28 to Hawke’s Bay last weekend.

The hosts currently lie at the foot of te Premiership table while Bay of Plenty are in fourth position in the Championship.

Verdict: Bay of Plenty 15/10
I will be having a minuscule punt on the away side here. Bay have run a lot of big guns close this year and I can see them getting one over a struggling North Harbour outfit.
___________________________________________________

Canterbury v Auckland
Sunday 16 September
Christchurch Stadium
07:05

To Win (80 Mins)
Canterbury 5/10
Draw 19/1
Auckland 18/10

Auckland will face a real test of their title credentials when they take on reigning champions Canterbury. The visitors have only tasted defeat once this season and head into this one off the back of a 36-10 victory over Southland.

Canterbury also only have one loss against their names and come into Sunday’s fixture having beaten Manawatu 43-23 in Round 3 and North Harbour 21-31 in their midweek fixture.

Verdict: Auckland 18/10
I feel that Canterbury may well struggle here having played a tough midweek game. As such, my money is on Auckland claiming the win.