The Farah Palmer Cup has moved into the red zone. Adrian Seconi takes a look at the semifinal match-ups and which teams might emerge victorious.
PREMIERSHIP
Canterbury v WellingtonChristchurch, tomorrow, 11.35am
The oil: Canterbury is undefeated this season and beat Wellington 43-5 in round one. The red and blacks scooped four consecutive titles from 2017 to 2020. But they were edged 22-20 by Waikato in the final last season and have had some narrow escapes this season. Wellington scraped into the semifinals with two wins from six games.
Key players: Elusive outside Martha Mataele has been in electric form for Canterbury, while Thamsyn Newton will run the cutter for Wellington from first five.
Prediction: Canterbury by plenty.
Waikato v AucklandHamilton, tomorrow, 1.35pm
The oil: Auckland sneaked into the playoffs with a late try to seal a 26-25 win over Wellington last week. Waikato has been in much more convincing form. Its only loss came against Canterbury and it beat Auckland 41-5 a couple of weeks ago.
Key players: Quality midfielder Rina Paraone is hard to stop, while experienced lock Eloise Blackwell leads an athletic pack.
Prediction: Comfortable win for Waikato.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Otago v North HarbourDunedin, 4.35pm
The oil: Otago has mowed down all opposition rather easily this season. But it is without a couple of key players in Maia Joseph and Oceana Campbell. North Harbour gave Otago more problems than any other side this season and upset Tasman in the Championship quarterfinal last weekend.
Key players: Otago halfback Georgia Cormick’s snappy clearance has been the secret to unlocking a dangerous backline. Experienced midfield back Hayley Hutana is the key cog in the North Harbour line-up and a decent goal-kicker.
Prediction: Otago by 15.
Hawke’s Bay v NorthlandNapier, 12.05pm
The oil: Hawke’s Bay has not played since mid-August, so that could be an issue. But it did beat Northland 32-17 in round four. Northland beat Taranaki 31-19 in the championship quarterfinal last week. It has a big pack but has faded in some games.
Key players: Northland No8 Tui McGeorge is a strong ball carrier. Krysten Cottrell will direct traffic for Hawke’s Bay and is a pivot.
Prediction: Hawke’s Bay a slight edge.
