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Mitre 10 Cup
2010 ITM Cup - Formally Air New Zealand Cup - Fixtures
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<blockquote data-quote="ranger" data-source="post: 332624" data-attributes="member: 40555"><p>Hawkesbay started off against Auckland last year if i remember correctly.. and Canterbury against Manawatu. Both big unions losing to the small ones. </p><p>Canterbury have been notoriously slow starters for the last couple of years, heres hoping that continues with a Hawkesbay thrashing.</p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>Its my favorite rugby tournament outside of the world cup, the style of rugby is just great to watch and this is where the future All Blacks announce themselves. This year is going to be even more interesting because next year the ITM will be cut from 14 to only 7 teams, with 7 dropping down to the 2nd division. All of the teams, even powerhouses like Auckland and Otago are in very real trouble of dropping out of the cup, if a team doesnt place 7 or higher they are gone. </p><p></p><p>I'll give you a rundown of the teams and let you pick your own team to support:</p><p></p><p><strong>Northland</strong> Based in Whangarei and comprising of players from the upper-most tip of the North Island. They are a run-and-gun style team who are known for just throwing the ball around and almost seeming to not really care about the result of the match. They are perennial cellar dwellers mainly due to their constant lack of a decent forward pack , their backs are a pleasure to watch however, producing players such as Rupeni Caucau, the Going brothers and Rene Ranger.</p><p><u><em>Star Players</em></u> <em>Rene Ranger</em> is the undisputed star of Northland, he has the ability to demolish any defense in the competition, he may be out for some games on AB duty though.<em>David Holwell</em> has also put off his retirement for another year to try and get Northland into the Top 7, even at this age hes probably one of the top 5 flyhalves in NZ. <em>Jared Payne</em> Is captaining the side from fullback and is international standard in my opinion, but if theres anywhere NZ has depth, its at fullback.</p><p><em><u>Future Stars</u></em> <em>Bryce Heem</em> has already played for the NZ barbarians this year, apparently he is very very quick. <em>Mikeli Tu'u</em> is a hooker with the ball skills of a back who should push hard for a S14 spot this year</p><p></p><p><strong>North Harbour</strong> Based in Albany just north of Auckland. They are the team that just cant quite seem to sort their **** out, they have a top stadium, loads of cash and sharp players but have inexplicably struggled for the last few seasons. They typically have a solid platform and have alot of firepower in the backs, they can be frustrating to watch at times though as they just dont seem to have the percision to unleash their outsides.</p><p><u><em>Star Players</em></u> <em>Luke McAllister</em> is Harbours marquee player, with no All Blacks duty he should do some damage for them. <em>Chris Smylie</em> is argueably the best sniping halfback in the country, hes an amazing runner but has yet to sort out the finer points of his game</p><p><em><u>Future Stars</u></em> <em>Nafi Tuitivake</em> and <em>Ken Pisi </em>are both deadly wingers and former age grade stars. <em>Ben Afeaki </em> is 6'4 and about 130kgs worth of prop and barely 22.</p><p></p><p><strong>Auckland</strong> They have been the top dog of NZ rugby for so long but are going through a rough patch in the last few seasons. They were known for their clinical, almost robotic precision in the 80s but that has faded away into a bit of a hotch potch mess. They appeared directionless at times last season which could have something to do with coach issues and the fact that they couldn't find a decent flyhalf. This year they have bought in a very smooth operator in Matt Berquist so who knows what to expect from them this time around. </p><p><u><em>Star Players</em></u> <em>Brent Ward</em>, <em>Ben Atiga</em> and <em>Toby Morland</em> and <em>Daniel Braid</em> are all seasoned pros returning this year.</p><p><em><u>Future Stars</u></em> <em>Winston Stanley</em>, <em>Liaki Moli</em> and <em>Ash Dixon</em> are all very powerful former agegrade stars who should make the step up to the All Blacks in the next 5-10 years.</p><p></p><p><strong>Counties-Manukau</strong>Jonah Lomus old team. Counties covers South Auckland, which incase you didn't know contains the largest concentration of pacific islanders on the planet. This should give you an idea of the style of play, the strengths and weaknesses of the team, just imagine the Samoan rugby team. Big hits, flashy moves, amazing skills but on the wrong end of the scoreboard all too often. These guys are the odds on favorites for the wooden spoon. </p><p><u><em>Star Players</em></u> <em>Tana Umaga</em> is back noone knows yet how is old legs are holding up. Fullback <em>Tim Nanai-Williams</em> is the real star, everything he does is so silky and skillfully done, hes one of my favourite players to watch in world rugby.</p><p><em><u>Future Stars</u></em> <em>Fritz Lee </em> is a young loose forward that hits like a cement truck, you will no doubt see this guy KOing someone on Youtube in the near future. <em>Sherwin Stowers</em> isn't really that young anymore but he must be in line for higher honours after making everyone look silly on the sevens circuit this year, guy has acceleration that would make Jason Robinson jealous.</p><p></p><p><strong>Waikato</strong> Based in Hamilton and one of the 5 S14 bases. These guys have assembled a composed, balanced side for this years ITM. They have class from 1-15 and should be a real threat for the ***le. They could play any style they choose with the players available so it should be interesting to see how they play their cards tactics-wise. </p><p><u><em>Star Players</em></u> Former ABs <em>Stephen Donald</em>, <em>Brendon Leonard</em> and <em>Aled De Malmance</em> will be the cornerstones of this team. Watch for barnstorming front rower <em>Hikairo Forbes</em> aswell, he devastating runner who plays more like a league prop, If you have some spare cash hes a good bet to score a few tries this year.</p><p><em><u>Future Stars</u></em> <em>Tawera Kerr-Barlow</em> became one of the youngest players in NZ to sign a professional contract a few years ago, he looks set to become NZs first world class halfback since Justin Marshall. <em>Christian Lealiifano</em> Is an NZ born Aussie who has popped over for the season to sharpen up before playing for the Brumbies again next year, he could well be a Wallaby in a few years.</p><p></p><p><strong>Bay of Plenty</strong> Based in Roturua and Tauranga in the middle of the North Island. The Steamers have earned a reputation as overachievers over the last few seasons, they are a gritty and determined side who grind out a lot of victories in games that they should lose on paper. While they don't really have the raw pace of some of the Blues catchment teams, they are incredibly creative with the ball and it is a pleasure to see them skillfully and cleverly carve through defenses. They have a large contingent of top sevens players in the side and they style of play in the backs reflects this, at times its like watching a sevens side paired up with a grafting tight 5, which i think is pretty awesome.</p><p><em><u>Star Players</u></em> <em>Colin Bourke</em> Is a ball running 8 who has drawn alot of comparisons to Zinzan Brooke, he really should have kicked on to the ABs by now. <em>Mike Delaney</em> Doesnt look like much but hes a very tricky customer at flyhalf, he is deceptively quick off the mark and its not uncommon to see him weave a pass behind his back or dart out from his goal line. <em>Tanerau Latimer</em> and <em>Lelia Masaga</em> are both international class prospects aswell.</p><p><em><u>Future Stars</u></em> <em>Taniela Moa </em>has all the skills and raw talent to command an AB spot right now if he can sort out his attitude and temperment. <em>Luke Braid</em> is looking the odds on favorite to be McCaws long-term replacement at this stage</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ranger, post: 332624, member: 40555"] Hawkesbay started off against Auckland last year if i remember correctly.. and Canterbury against Manawatu. Both big unions losing to the small ones. Canterbury have been notoriously slow starters for the last couple of years, heres hoping that continues with a Hawkesbay thrashing. Its my favorite rugby tournament outside of the world cup, the style of rugby is just great to watch and this is where the future All Blacks announce themselves. This year is going to be even more interesting because next year the ITM will be cut from 14 to only 7 teams, with 7 dropping down to the 2nd division. All of the teams, even powerhouses like Auckland and Otago are in very real trouble of dropping out of the cup, if a team doesnt place 7 or higher they are gone. I'll give you a rundown of the teams and let you pick your own team to support: [B]Northland[/B] Based in Whangarei and comprising of players from the upper-most tip of the North Island. They are a run-and-gun style team who are known for just throwing the ball around and almost seeming to not really care about the result of the match. They are perennial cellar dwellers mainly due to their constant lack of a decent forward pack , their backs are a pleasure to watch however, producing players such as Rupeni Caucau, the Going brothers and Rene Ranger. [U][I]Star Players[/I][/U] [I]Rene Ranger[/I] is the undisputed star of Northland, he has the ability to demolish any defense in the competition, he may be out for some games on AB duty though.[I]David Holwell[/I] has also put off his retirement for another year to try and get Northland into the Top 7, even at this age hes probably one of the top 5 flyhalves in NZ. [I]Jared Payne[/I] Is captaining the side from fullback and is international standard in my opinion, but if theres anywhere NZ has depth, its at fullback. [I][U]Future Stars[/U][/I] [I]Bryce Heem[/I] has already played for the NZ barbarians this year, apparently he is very very quick. [I]Mikeli Tu'u[/I] is a hooker with the ball skills of a back who should push hard for a S14 spot this year [B]North Harbour[/B] Based in Albany just north of Auckland. They are the team that just cant quite seem to sort their **** out, they have a top stadium, loads of cash and sharp players but have inexplicably struggled for the last few seasons. They typically have a solid platform and have alot of firepower in the backs, they can be frustrating to watch at times though as they just dont seem to have the percision to unleash their outsides. [U][I]Star Players[/I][/U] [I]Luke McAllister[/I] is Harbours marquee player, with no All Blacks duty he should do some damage for them. [I]Chris Smylie[/I] is argueably the best sniping halfback in the country, hes an amazing runner but has yet to sort out the finer points of his game [I][U]Future Stars[/U][/I] [I]Nafi Tuitivake[/I] and [I]Ken Pisi [/I]are both deadly wingers and former age grade stars. [I]Ben Afeaki [/I] is 6'4 and about 130kgs worth of prop and barely 22. [B]Auckland[/B] They have been the top dog of NZ rugby for so long but are going through a rough patch in the last few seasons. They were known for their clinical, almost robotic precision in the 80s but that has faded away into a bit of a hotch potch mess. They appeared directionless at times last season which could have something to do with coach issues and the fact that they couldn't find a decent flyhalf. This year they have bought in a very smooth operator in Matt Berquist so who knows what to expect from them this time around. [U][I]Star Players[/I][/U] [I]Brent Ward[/I], [I]Ben Atiga[/I] and [I]Toby Morland[/I] and [I]Daniel Braid[/I] are all seasoned pros returning this year. [I][U]Future Stars[/U][/I] [I]Winston Stanley[/I], [I]Liaki Moli[/I] and [I]Ash Dixon[/I] are all very powerful former agegrade stars who should make the step up to the All Blacks in the next 5-10 years. [B]Counties-Manukau[/B]Jonah Lomus old team. Counties covers South Auckland, which incase you didn't know contains the largest concentration of pacific islanders on the planet. This should give you an idea of the style of play, the strengths and weaknesses of the team, just imagine the Samoan rugby team. Big hits, flashy moves, amazing skills but on the wrong end of the scoreboard all too often. These guys are the odds on favorites for the wooden spoon. [U][I]Star Players[/I][/U] [I]Tana Umaga[/I] is back noone knows yet how is old legs are holding up. Fullback [I]Tim Nanai-Williams[/I] is the real star, everything he does is so silky and skillfully done, hes one of my favourite players to watch in world rugby. [I][U]Future Stars[/U][/I] [I]Fritz Lee [/I] is a young loose forward that hits like a cement truck, you will no doubt see this guy KOing someone on Youtube in the near future. [I]Sherwin Stowers[/I] isn't really that young anymore but he must be in line for higher honours after making everyone look silly on the sevens circuit this year, guy has acceleration that would make Jason Robinson jealous. [B]Waikato[/B] Based in Hamilton and one of the 5 S14 bases. These guys have assembled a composed, balanced side for this years ITM. They have class from 1-15 and should be a real threat for the ***le. They could play any style they choose with the players available so it should be interesting to see how they play their cards tactics-wise. [U][I]Star Players[/I][/U] Former ABs [I]Stephen Donald[/I], [I]Brendon Leonard[/I] and [I]Aled De Malmance[/I] will be the cornerstones of this team. Watch for barnstorming front rower [I]Hikairo Forbes[/I] aswell, he devastating runner who plays more like a league prop, If you have some spare cash hes a good bet to score a few tries this year. [I][U]Future Stars[/U][/I] [I]Tawera Kerr-Barlow[/I] became one of the youngest players in NZ to sign a professional contract a few years ago, he looks set to become NZs first world class halfback since Justin Marshall. [I]Christian Lealiifano[/I] Is an NZ born Aussie who has popped over for the season to sharpen up before playing for the Brumbies again next year, he could well be a Wallaby in a few years. [B]Bay of Plenty[/B] Based in Roturua and Tauranga in the middle of the North Island. The Steamers have earned a reputation as overachievers over the last few seasons, they are a gritty and determined side who grind out a lot of victories in games that they should lose on paper. While they don't really have the raw pace of some of the Blues catchment teams, they are incredibly creative with the ball and it is a pleasure to see them skillfully and cleverly carve through defenses. They have a large contingent of top sevens players in the side and they style of play in the backs reflects this, at times its like watching a sevens side paired up with a grafting tight 5, which i think is pretty awesome. [I][U]Star Players[/U][/I] [I]Colin Bourke[/I] Is a ball running 8 who has drawn alot of comparisons to Zinzan Brooke, he really should have kicked on to the ABs by now. [I]Mike Delaney[/I] Doesnt look like much but hes a very tricky customer at flyhalf, he is deceptively quick off the mark and its not uncommon to see him weave a pass behind his back or dart out from his goal line. [I]Tanerau Latimer[/I] and [I]Lelia Masaga[/I] are both international class prospects aswell. [I][U]Future Stars[/U][/I] [I]Taniela Moa [/I]has all the skills and raw talent to command an AB spot right now if he can sort out his attitude and temperment. [I]Luke Braid[/I] is looking the odds on favorite to be McCaws long-term replacement at this stage [/QUOTE]
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