Darry Worthington previews what should be a cracking set of Mitre 10 Cup Round 6 fixtures. The round gets underway on Thursday the 12th of September, and you’re not going to want to miss any of the action.
Round 6 of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season is shaping up to be a great spectacle with clashes between Waikato and Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty as well as Tasman versus North Harbour sure to provide some great viewing.
Waikato v Hawke’s Bay
Thursday 12 September
FMG Stadium
09:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Waikato 3/10
Draw 20
Hawke’s Bay 26/10
Waikato will be looking to move up into the Premiership semi-final berths when they take on a Hawke’s Bay side that currently top the pops in the Championship.
The visitors are undefeated thus far with the only blemish on their record being a 27-27 Round 2 draw with Premiership side Wellington. They head into this weekend’s fixture off the back of a 41-23 bonus point victory over minnows Southland.
Waikato had a far tougher time of it in Round 5 as they went down 38-36 to North Harbour. This was not an ideal result for the Mooloos who were far more impressive when they drew 20-20 with reigning champions Auckland the week prior.
Verdict: Hawke’s Bay
I’m going to have a cheeky little punt on the away side, who are in terriic form.
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Northland v Canterbury
Friday 13 September
Semenoff Stadium
09:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Northland 7/1
Draw 30/1
Canterbury 1/20Northland will be looking to bounce back from their surprise 31-25 defeat to Manawatu when they take on a Canterbury side that is on a mission.
The visitors come into this one fresh off the back of their second victory over the season. Having hammered Southland in Round 4, Canterbury then put in a typically composed display in Round 5 where they beat Auckland 20-32.
Verdict: Canterbury (-)
The visitors have started to hit their straps which is ominous news for Northland. My money is on Canterbury taking this one by more than 14 points.
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Taranaki v Bay of Plenty
Saturday 14 September
Yarrow Stadium
04:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Taranaki 11/20
Draw 20/1
Bay of Plenty 31/20
Taranaki will be looking to bounce back from their shock defeat at the hands of Otago when they take on a Bay of Plenty side that has lost two of their last three fixtures.
The host had an ideal oppertunity to claim the Ranfurly Shield last weekend but conspired to put in their worst showing of the season as they let Otago claim a 35-27 win at Forsyth Barr. The defeat would have stung Taranaki as they were heavy favourites to take the ‘Log ‘O Wood’ off their opponents.
Bay of Plenty had a far less heartbreaking Round 5, although they will be rather annoyed they couldn’t get one over Wellington especially with the game ending 15-16 in the Premiership side’s favour.
Verdict: Bay of Plenty (+)
I think last weekend’s defeat may just be a sign of mid-season jitters from ‘Naki. As such, I’m going to back the visitors on the plus handicap here.
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Southland v Manawatu
Saturday 14 September
Rugby Park
07:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Southland 36/10
Draw 25/1
Manawatu 1/5
Southland will have an ideal opportunity to end their long-standing losing streak when they take on a patchy Manawatu side out in Invercargill.
The visitors head into this one off the back of their finest hour this term having beaten much-fancied Northland by six points. This is their only victory of the season, however, with the Turbos losing their four other games.
Southland once again gave a good account of themselves in a losing cause as they went down 41-23 to bang in-form Hawke’s Bay.
Verdict: Southland (+)
Last weekend was more a case of Northland being poor rather than Manawatu being good. I Turbos will struggle to see the Stags off and that is why I’m backing the plus handicap.
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Counties Manakau v Auckland
Saturday 14 September
Navigation Homes Stadium
09:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Counties 43/20
Draw 20/1
Auckland 4/10
Saturday’s action will come to a close with an all-Premiership affair as third-placed Auckland travel to Pukekohe to take on last-placed Counties Manakau.
Both teams head into this one off the back of defeats with Auckland going down by ten points to Canterbury and Counties being drilled 0-36 by Tasman.
Verdict: Auckland (-)
There’s reason Counties have lost four of their games this term, and that is that they are not a very good side. I can see them being torn apart by an Auckland team on the hunt for a bonus-point win.
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Wellington v Otago
Sunday 15 September
Westpac Stadium
04:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Wellington 1/5
Draw 22/1
Otago 15/4
Wellington will be looking to apply the pressure to Premiership leaders Tasman when they take on a gutsy Otago outfit in Sunday’s opener.
Both teams managed to bag wins in Round 5, although Wellington’s 15-16 victory over Bay of Plenty was far less impressive than Otago’s 35-27 over Taranaki.
Verdict: Otago (+)
The visitors will be full of confidence after last weekend’s win and I can see them giving Wellington a real run for their money.
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Tasman v North Harbour
Sunday 15 September
Trafalgar Park
06:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Tasman 1/16
Draw 30/1
North Harbour 7/1
Premiership champions-elect, Tasman, will be looking to make it six wins from six starts when they take on a North Harbour side that beat Waikato 38-36 last weekend.
Tasman saw off Counties 0-36 last Friday to secure their fourth bonus-point win of the season. Their points differential sits at a staggering +159 after that whitewash.
Verdict: Tasman (-)
This should be an entertaining game with both teams capable of scoring eye-catching five-pointers. my money is on the hosts superior firepower seeing them to a win in excess of 20 points.
