After three weeks of inertia due to COVID, the Bunnings NPC makes a welcome return this weekend, albeit in a somewhat more compact guise with the Auckland-based sides still unable to take to the field this coming weekend.
Friday 17 September
Waikato v Canterbury
FMG Stadium
09:05
To Win Match
Waikato 71/100
Draw 30/1
Canterbury 12/10
We might be light on fixtures at the moment but the four we have are set to be crackers, and the all-Premiership opener should be no exception.
The hosts for Friday currently sit top of the Premiership ladder having beaten North Harbour 15-28 and Wellington 43-37. While they haven’t been especially good on defence, their attack has been great to watch.
Canterbury’s mojo seems to be somewhat on the wain as the most successful domestic side in New Zealand have yet to move through the gears and have had a stuttering old start to their domestic campaign which has seen them just beat Championship side Counties 25-22 and then go down to 2020 Premiership runners-up, Auckland, 35-24.
Verdict: Waikato 71/10
While Canterbury will be reinforced by the return of a couple of players, I can’t see them getting one over what is a solid Waikato side.
Saturday 18 September
Taranaki v Wellington
TET Stadium
04:05
To Win Match
Taranaki 39/20
Draw 20/1
Wellington 44/100
We have another belter here, with Taranaki taking on Wellington in Saturday’s opener. Both teams possess impressive back divisions and we could well see a high-scoring affair at the TET Stadium.
Taranaki currently lead the Championship having registered wins over Hawkes Bay (33-19) and Northland (14-48). Wellington haven’t been as impressive in the results stakes losing 43-37 to Waikato after beating Northland 54-7. They have been racking up points for fun though.
Verdict: Taranaki 39/20
The visitors are without TJ Perrenara which is a massive blow and the reason I fancy the hosts here. My main bet though, will be on the over points which you can get on at kick-off via the Live In-Play function.
Northland v Tasman
Semenoff Stadium
06:35
To Win Match
Northland 13/1
Draw 45/1
Tasman 1/100
The penultimate game of the weekend will see Northland tackle reigning Premiership champions, Tasman. This is a tough old assignment for a Northland side who currently sit at the foot of the Championship table with a point differential of -81 having suffered a 54-7 defeat to Wellington and a 14-48 loss to Taranaki.
Tasman have fared far better this term and have gone two from two beating Bay of Plenty 14-27 and Auckland 16-11. While they haven’t been as free-flowing as previous incarnations of the side, this is still a solid Tasman team who now know how to win dirty.
Verdict: Tasman 1/100
Banker of the weekend. I would back Tasman to clear any handicap under the 35 point mark.
Sunday 19 September
Hawke’s Bay v Bay of Plenty
McLean Park
04:05
To Win Match
Hawke’s Bay 88/100
Draw 20/1
Bay of Plenty 98/100
The ‘Battle of the Bay’ is our final instalment for the weekend. These games are usually fiery enough, but this one has some extra heat attached due to the fact that it is a Ranfurly Shield clash.
Both sides have had stuttering starts to the tournament having won one and lost one of their games. They both sit in the wrong half of the Premiership table and will be eager to move into the top 4 as soon as possible.
In terms of results, the hosts have gone down 33-19 to Taranaki and beaten Otago 34-10. The visitors have registered a win over Southland (11-31) and gone down 14-27 to Tasman.
Verdict: Hawke’s Bay 88/100
I’m on the home side here, although this is likely to be a very close run thing. Small money for some Sunday entertainment is the way to go.
