Canterbury v Auckland, Friday 6th October
All of these games will be tight obviously because they are the best teams, so here go’s. I think Canterbury will sneak home in this one. They have home advantage and Auckland have been poor this year.
No prizes for guessing what Canterbury made a focus at training this week.
Having conceded 271 points during the regular season, more than any other playoff team, their defence has been a far cry from the standard typically delivered by the red and blacks. They need to front up.
Red and Blacks by 3 points.
Wellington v Waikato, Saturday 7th October
Wellington will be smarting after losing the Ranfurly Shield last weekend. Wellington, who conceded just 22 tries and 148 points and host Waikato on Saturday afternoon. and will bounce back against Waikato by 7 points.
Taranaki v Tasman, Saturday 7th October
This is a hard game to pick. Taranaki get the home advantage, but Tasman are gutsy. Who ever makes the least mistakes will get the chocolates. Tasman are down on troops with Jordan and Blackadder, plus Havili and Christie and Fainga’anuku and Frizell all in France, but I will stick with them by 1 point.
Bay of Plenty v Hawkes Bay, Sunday 8th October
Hawkes Bay won the Ranfurly Shield last weekend against Wellington and may still be suffering from the after party. I will go with the Bay in this one by a couple of points.
Great to see Southland get their first win of the season in their last game of the season. Always difficult for the smaller unions to attract players, but the win proves the love and guts of playing for your community and supporters. WELL DONE EVERYONE!
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