The wrap
Well I’m getting a bit worried about Prem Rugby with three blowout scores out of four games this early in the season, let’s hope it is an anomaly. Taieri with a "Super" backline put 70 on AU out at the Eelpit in a mid afternoon frolic. GI did much the same at the Toolbox when they beat up Kaik and put 50 points on them. Kaik have a raft of debutants fronting this season (mostly up from Colts) and have started with two losses, although they could have beaten Taieri in the first game if a last minute conversion had gone over. Then Varsity bounced back from defeat to post their own half-century against Zingari with a controlled display. In the only competitive game (Harbour scored a converted try in the last play of the game to upset Southern. Where does that leave us? Well on the plus side only two teams are unbeaten, near neighbours and close friends GI and Taieri!
Down on the farm
In Central Otago two teams have stuck their heads above the parapet and said we are the serious contenders this year. Upper Clutha and Wakatip are the only unbeaten teams after 3 weeks and I know it’s early days, but they could be your finalists this year. Arrowtown, Maniototo and Arrowtown have all won a game. Shock and horror Cromwell are winless (the heavies won't be happy) and true to form neither have Matak.
In the South, West Taieri, Clutha and Toko are the unbeaten sides after three rounds and Crescent look the best of the rest. Owaka, Clutha Valley, Heriot and Lawrence have some serious work to do.
In the North they’ve only played one game, so no-one knows what goes on up there; it's like playing in the Bermuda Triangle. I’ll let it shake out for a bit before we make some serious predictions.
Serious player numbers (falling)
The CRC in their infinite wisdom (or lack of?) decided to change things around in the lower grades this year and move Prem Colts back to under 20. They tell me it was to resuscitate the Prem II grade. Well they have certainly de-powered the Prem Colts grade, but I’m not sure they have done much else. Some clubs are struggling to put a Prem II side on the park full stop — for example Kaikorai and Dunedin, two of the most populous clubs. I get the feeling there was a lot of self-interest in the initial decision as the other clubs felt the above two were attracting too many players. We’ll see how this plays out, but the worry is we’ll end up with only two serious grades in town, Prems and one other. A lot of the other centres have gone this way and the numbers have declined alarmingly. I will see how the season rolls out though before I say "I told you so!".
The rumour mill
There is talk that Kaik have called an "emergency" meeting to look at player numbers. There are stories coming out of Shark Park that the club committee are not happy with their rugby committee and are set to take action.
This weekend
Absolutely destroyed Thorn Parkes from the Volts at the weekend and we have lined up another Volt, Llew Johnson, to have a crack this week. It’s like lambs to the slaughter. Varsity are at home to Taieri this weekend and there won’t be much in it, I’m thinking. The Eels are down to two Highlanders this weekend — Michael Loft (loosie) and Josh Whaanga — while Varsity has been bolstered by Taine Robinson. I think across the park, Varsity (12-) will be too strong. AU are hosting GI but that’s about all they will be doing. GI (13+) have Te Hiwi and Manson suiting up from the Highlanders and will be just too good. They’ll be three from three and it could be big! Dunedin are heading to the high veldt after the bye to take Kaik and will be wanting a far better performance than two weeks ago. They have Rohan Wingham back from the Highlanders to shore up their front row and their pack should be able to dictate the game. Sharks (13+).
In the country, Mayor Cadogan unbelievably beat yours truly and has a plus five differential. He leads the Mayors challenge, with only Tamah Altey from Central Otago to go. Tamah, I go good in Central, so you may struggle! The two winless teams line up against each other in Cromwell this weekend. Surely Cromwell (12-) bounce back and put a "w" on the board over Matak. I have a feeling there won’t be much in it. Alex welcome the Maggots to town and the way both teams are travelling, the draw is a great option. I’ll stick with the home team Alex (12-) but with no real confidence. In the big game with the "White Horse" on the line Wakatip take on challengers Arrowtown. Rest assured there will be no love lost in this one. I feel Wakatip (13+) may just have too much firepower.
