The Mitre 10 Cup enters its eighth week on Thursday the 26th of September. Darry Worthington previews all the Round eight action, below.
The Mitre 10 Cup is fast approaching its business end with only three round-robin sets of fixtures to come.
With time at a premium and both logs so tight, sides are going to have to find some consistency in the coming couple of weeks or risk not attaining their goals.
Taranaki v Southland
Thursday 26 September
Yarrow Stadium
09:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Taranaki 1/20
Draw 50/1
Southland 15/2
Handicap
Taranaki
Southland
*Handicap to be added upon release
A rejuvenated Southland side will be looking to make it two wins on the trot when they take on a faltering Taranaki outfit in the round’s opener.
The Stags finally got the monkey off their back as their 42-14 Round 7 victory over Counties Manakau saw them end a three-year losing streak, and also saw them move from the foot of the Championship table for what seems like an eternity.
Taranaki had a far tougher time of it last weekend as their 35-17 defeat to Hawke’s Bay saw them drop two points clear of the semi-final berth. This was also their fourth defeat on the spin and they will need to improve at a rapid rate if they are to challenge for the Championship semi-final places.
Verdict: Southland (+)
While the Bulls will be grateful to have a gift game in the form of Southland, I cannot see them winning this one by much. I’m solid on the Southland plus here, which should open up in the high-20′ to low 30’s.
Tasman v Auckland
Friday 27 September
Trafalgar Park
09:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Tasman 1/6
Draw 25/1
Auckland 17/4
Handicap
Tasman
Auckland
*Handicap to added upon release
Tasman will be looking to make it seven wins from seven starts when they take on reigning Premiership champions, Auckland.
The hosts just need another win to secure a home semi-final, and they have every chance of achieving this as Auckland have been hit and miss in recent weeks drawing one and losing two of their last four games.
The visitors head into this one off of a disappointing 15-34 home defeat to Wellington, which saw them drop into fourth place on the Premiership standings, Tasman, on the other hand, are seven points to the good at the top of the Premiership standings after a 26-35 win over Waikato.
Tasman (-)
I fancy the hosts to clear the ‘cap here as Auckland seem rife for the taking at the minute.
Bay of Plenty v Hawke’s Bay
Saturday 28 September
Tauranga Domain
04:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Bay of Plenty 11/20
Draw 19/1
Hawke’s Bay 31/20
Handicap
Bay of Plenty
Hawke’s Bay
*Handicap to be added upon release
The ‘Battle of the Bays’ doesn’t come much bigger than this year’s edition with current Championship leaders Hawke’s Bay travelling to take on second-placed Bay of Plenty.
Both teams have enjoyed magnificent seasons with Hawke’s Bay coming into the game undefeated and Bay of Plenty only losing two of their seven games.
In terms of last weekend’s results, Bay of Plenty head into this one off the back of an impressive 22-46 victory over Northland, while Hawke’s Bay beat Taranaki 35-17.
Verdict: Hawke’s Bay 31/20
I’m on the away side here. They are undefeated for a reason and I can see them notching up yet another win here.
Wellington v Northland
Saturday 28 September
Westpac Stadium
07:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Wellington 1/25
Draw 50/1
Northland 15/2
Handicap
Wellington
Northland
*Handicap to be added upon release
Wellington will be looking to all but confirm there place in the Premiership semi-finals by getting one over a Northland side that occupies the foot of the Championship table.
The visitors have endured a dire season and head into this one off the back of their sixth-defeat of the season; a 22-46 loss to Bay of Plenty.
Wellington had a far better time of it in Round 7 as they beat Auckland 15-34 away from home.
Verdict: Wellington (-)
I’d happily take any minus line below 30 points here.
Canterbury v Counties Manakau
Saturday 28 September
Orange Theory Stadium
09:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Canterbury 1/25
Draw 45/1
Counties 15/2
Handicap
Canterbury
Counties
*Odds to be added upon release
Canterbury will be looking to further establish themselves in the ‘Top 4’ when they host a Counties outfit that is rooted to the foot of the log.
The hosts topsy-turvy season continued last weekend as they saw a three-game unbeaten streak come to an end as they were defeat 29-32 by a Ngani Lamupae inspired Manawatu outfit.
Counties also had a weekend to forget as they went down 42-14 to a Southland side who hadn’t won a match in three years.
Verdict: Canterbury (-)
This is an ideal game for Canterbury to bounce back. I can see them running up a huge score against a hapless Turbos outfit.
Otago v Waikato
Sunday 29 September
Forsyth Barr
03:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Otago 14/10
Draw 18/1
Waikato 6/10
Handicap
Otago
Waikato
*Handicap to be added upon releaseOtago will be looking to retain the Ranfurly Shield when they take on Premiership outfit Waikato.
The hosts have endured an alright season and currently, sit in third-spot on the Championship standings with four wins from their seven games. They also head into this one off the back of a very handy 15-21 away victory over North Harbour.
Waikato, on the other hand, need to start winning games if they are to make the Premiership semi-finals as they currently sit three-points off of fourth-place Auckland. They head into this one off a night point defeat to Tasman.
Verdict: Otago 14/10
The hosts are very backable at a great price of 14/10.
Manawatu v North Harbour
Sunday 29 September
Central Energy Trust Stadium
05:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Manawatu 28/10
Draw 20/1
North Harbour 3/10
Handicap
Manawatu
North Harbour
*Odds to be added upon release
Manawatu will be looking to keep the good times rolling when they take on North Harbour this coming Sunday.
The hosts currently occupy fourth spot on the Championship log and are on a three-game winning streak with their latest victory seeing them beat a heavily fancied Canterbury outfit by three-points away from home.
North Harbour are also in with a semi-final chance as they only sit three points off of fourth-placed Auckland in the Premiership. Than can ill-afford another loss, however, as they come into this one off the back of a six-point home defeat to Otago.
Verdict: North Harbour 3/10
Manawatu have been dreadful this term and I can see them struggling again.
