And then there were two.
It started at the end of March with nine teams, and 14 rounds later we are down to two, with Dunedin and GI making the grand final tomorrow at the stadium at 3pm.
It was an absorbing semi at Bathgate Park with Southern holding a slender lead over GI at the break. The Magpies made more errors in the second spell and GI pounced and ran out convincing winners in the end. The mercurial Finn Hurley put the icing on the cake with a runaway try for an 11-point victory. Mackenzie Palmer kept his team in the game with 14 points and why he is not good enough to join Hurley in the Otago team beggars belief.
The other semi was a poor relation in comparison as Dunedin and Varsity really struggled in the strange climatic conditions at Kettle Park. Instead of the stock-steady howling southerly there was a swirling northerly which was beyond the comprehension of both teams. Throw in a lot of whistle and it was a turgid affair. Dunedin were the stronger team in the second spell, scored the try of the game through fullback Josh Augustine and that was enough to put them in back-to-back finals.
The final
GI go in as hot favourites. They came into the playoffs as the Gallaway Trophy winners and have had the satisfaction of beating Dunedin twice this season, with their latest encounter a comprehensive drubbing of the Sharks. They have a few injury concerns with two of their key players lost to injury from the semis. Halfback Dan Smart was carted off to hospital with suspected cracked ribs and first five Finn Strawbridge collected a nasty concussion.
Doesn’t sound good, you may say. But Highlanders James ‘‘Whisky’’ Arscott and Sam Gilbert have answered the call and will suit up for GI. Throw in flanker Ollie Haig coming off the bench and Hurley at fullback and you’d have to say the Banner is finally coming home after 46 years. GI are also finalists in Prem 2s so the GI faithful will dominate the crowd as their chickens come home to roost.
So, what about the Sharks? No Highlanders available for them as giant Dutchman Fabian Holland is just off a plane from Europe with a dodgy knee and flyhalf Ajay Faleafaga has some fitness issues of his own. The Dunedin pack has been the strongest in town across the year and will be wanting to heap the pressure on to their opposites. Defensively Dunedin have been at their best this year and ‘‘D’’ wins finals. If they can get quality ball to their potent attacking weapons Josh Augustine and Kyan Rangitutia, who have scored 19 tries this year, they are always a chance. Make no mistake, this will be an absorbing final.
The curtain-raisers
Remember there are three finals at the stadium tomorrow with the prem 2 final kicking off at 11am between Kaik and GI. At 1pm the senior (open grade) final is being played between Taieri and Kaik. Then the big one at 3pm.
The Otago Daily Times is livestreaming all three games with yours truly commentating all three. You may need a set of earmuffs or a mute button by the end of that. We have also got a strong group of surprising co-commentators. Just go to the ODT home page (odt.co.nz) to watch.
In the seniors final, the unbeaten Eels team may just get it done over Kaik but nearly too close to call. In the prem 2 final, Kaik may just go in as favourites of GI but these two teams have history and similarly nearly too close to call.
Down on the farm
In Central Upper Clutha host Alexandra in a repeat of last year’s final. Alex caused the boilover when they beat the unbeaten Wanaka side last year so can they do it again?
Well, despite the advice I’ve had from Alex’s ‘‘Auburn Terror’’ I don’t think lightning strikes twice. The Wanaka-based team are the competition front-runners for a reason and this is their year to get it over the line after inexplicably falling short over the last two seasons. They lost one of their founding fathers, Colin Clark, last week and doubtless they’ll want to win for him as well as the club. More on Colin’s contribution next week. In the South, West Taieri host the real farmers Clutha Valley at the Outram market garden. Sadly, I have a suspicion this game only goes one way and that’s to the ‘‘gentleman’’ farmers in West Taieri. But my spies are telling me Valley are really hitting their straps and it could be closer than I think.
The NPC madness
Southland can’t help themselves — they are still naming players, and I thought you could only name 27 or 28 — that’s how silly I am. Add in internationals Powell, Strachan and Robertson so again I ask: where is all the money coming from? They’ve already signed up half the younger talent in Dunedin. Why not just promote them. Wouldn’t that be slightly cheaper?
In Otago the ‘‘mystery’’ winger still hasn’t been named so I’ll throw in a name — Ollie Sapsford from the Brumbies. I think out of the Mighty Mid Canterbury originally. Surely Otago will have to name the wingers soon? Or they might see sense and name Mackenzie Palmer and Kyan Rangitutia. I live in hope!
Some bits
Colts rugby is finally back on the menu this weekend and unbelievably both grades are still in round robin, but this is the last round. From what I can work out in prem colts the top four in order are Dunedin, Kaikorai, Zingari and Varsity. In junior colts the top four in order are Harbour, Dunedin Hammerheads, Kaikorai and Dunedin Bulls. So it’s semifinals next weekend at the home of the top qualifiers with finals to be played on August 3.
Who wins the Ainge Shield? Well, we have three contenders, Dunedin, Kaikorai and GI, and we’ll have a clearer idea after the weekend so more next week. Oh, and just in case I forget, AU are sucking on the prestigious wooden spoon!
This weekend
Well, in town we have a winner team from our tipsters and it’s a clear victory to Mayor Jules Radich. For his troubles he gets to nominate a rugby club in town that can send 10 along to a hosted NPC game with Speight’s and the ODT. Of course, he can go as well! In the Country the winning tipster was Paula Clark from Cromwell, so she gets to bring 10 Cromwellians along to the same game — congrats Paula.
This weekend, up against Mark Scully from the Alehouse, the sponsor of this segment. In the prem final I’d never pick GI as according to them I’ve never picked them to win any, ever Dunedin (12-). Kaik (12-) to win the P2 final. Taieri (12-) to beat Kaik in the seniors final. Upper Clutha (12-) to finally put one to bed in Central. West Taieri (13+) to beat a valiant Clutha Valley. And remember we’re back next week for the dreaded report card. Some clubs will already be having nightmares!
Good luck to all the finalists.
