Following the Log

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I love provincial rugby.

The standard may not be where the All Blacks are at at the moment, but the importance of this year’s ITM Cup is massive. The seven teams that finish top this year will be included in next season’s Premier Division while the bottom seven form the First Division. The first round dished up some great upsets: Northland tipping up the new-look Naki side and Counties putting the smackdown on Otago.

Plenty of old school players are back too like Tana at the Steelers, Daniel Braid and Brent Ward in Auckland, and Shannon Paku at the Turbos. Not to mention a couple of former NRL stars in the mix too with Luke Rooney at the Magpies and, of course, SBW who’s due to play his first game for Belfast this weekend.

But the most exciting thing for me in a provincial season is the Ranfurly Shield. Southland are the current holders after escaping Christchurch with a 9-3 victory over Canterbury last year. Can they hold onto the prized Log ‘o Wood in 2010?

Here’s where I see the log travelling to this season:

SOUTHLAND v Otago, Invercargill, Saturday 7th August, 4.35pm – STAGS TO WIN their first serious challenge from an Otago team that’s seen better days

SOUTHLAND v Counties, Invercargill, Saturday 14th August, 5.30pm – STAGS TO WIN against Tana’s Steelers

SOUTHLAND v North Harbour, Invercargill, Friday 10th September, 7.35pm – STAGS TO WIN against MacAllister’s boys from across the bridge

SOUTHLAND v Auckland, Invercargill, Thursday 23rd September, 7.35pm – AUCKLAND TO WIN and end the Stag’s party

AUCKLAND v Hawkes Bay, Auckland, Friday 1st October, 7.35pm – AUCKLAND TO WIN by the slimmest of margins with a late penalty by former Magpie Matt Berquist

AUCKLAND v Otago, Auckland, Sunday 17th October, 2.35pm – AUCKLAND TO WIN as Otago’s drought continues

AUCKLAND v Tasman, Auckland Sunday 24th October, 2.35pm – TASMAN TO WIN against all odds… they may be relegated to the First Division, but Chris Jack’s taking the Log back to the top of the south!

Dancers

The Makos girls will have plenty to cheer about.

Where do you think the Ranfurly Shield will end up at the end of the season?

- John Day

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4 comment(s) so far

LEary

Lugby
12-Aug-2010 1:31 p.m.

Matt Hall-Smith

Counties could win it this weekend against Southland..But as Makos supporter myself, I have researched something. If Counties win, the mighty Tasman Makos could have the shield in their hands when the beat them in week 6 up in Pukekohe. Counties should beat Hamish McKay's beloved Manawatu, then they play away to Waikato, and then the next week host the TASMAN MAKO'S at home , where the Mako's finally hit their straps, and go home with the Log o Wood on September 2..
10-Aug-2010 7:41 p.m.

Matt Hall-Smith

Wi Kiwha

sorry John. I'm sure Bryce will agree with me on this but you are wrong. The Otago team will man up this weekend and shag the Stags. There will be rioting, drunken Haka's, couches burnt all over Dunedin and they will drink the town dry. Once there hangover wear's off they will wake up and realise the mighty Wellington Lions have done a awesome Quade Cooper impersonation (a thief in the night) and stolen the shield off them by thrashing them 144-0.
The mighty Lions will smash all challengers (your beloved Sheepshaggers don't come to Westpac this season) and the shield will stay in it's rightful "HOME". and it will be placed next to the ITM cup (as long as they don't choke in the final ).

GO OTAGO AND THE LIONS!!!!!!
05-Aug-2010 9:32 a.m.