2011 National Provincial Championship (ITM Cup)

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Somerset 6
Vimes 4
Brumby 3
Hurricane 2
HDS 2

Hurricane 2
Vimes 2
Brumbers 2
HDS 1
Somerset 1

The Only Vimes that Bites - 36
Taunton - 34
Brumbers - 34
Big Chief - 33
Epic Fail - 30

 

[Somerset]

Excellent round for me just gone.

Waikato
Canterbury
Hawke's Bay
Southland

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Waikato v Wellington
Bay of Plenty v Canterbury
Northland v Hawke's Bay
Southland v Taranaki

 

[Somerset]

Wish I had watched the BOP vs Canterbury match last night - 29-3 to the BOP at halftime, yet they only won 35-31 including a last minute penalty. A Canterbury win would've basically guaranteed them a spot in the final so that throws the Premiership wide open again.

Also, had to laugh when I heard that Rua Tipoki was red-carded in a second division match for East Coast for punching, got cited too.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

When is the Heartlands highlights programme on this week? Need to record it.

 

[Flem274*]

Time to take the Shield home.

 

[Somerset]

Time to take the Shield home.

Your wish is granted. Was out tonight so have no idea how the match played out, but thats so typical of this year's competition that a side gets belted 27-0 one week and turns it around to take the Ranfurly Shield the next.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

It was a rubbish game, Somers. Loads of errors from both sides. Don't bother watching the replays!

 

[Smudge]

When is the Heartlands highlights programme on this week? Need to record it.

Was on at 6.30pm Thursday last week. Will be on somewhere around that time.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Was on at 6.30pm Thursday last week. Will be on somewhere around that time.

Yeah, I've set it to record. Really unimpressed by the reffing at the King Country game, but it's a bit hard to be sure from the sidelines. Hopefully the replays will give a few more suggestions.

 

[Somerset]

Manawatu and Wellington for the matches tomorrow and Friday.

 

[Hurricane]

Otago v Manawatu
Manawatu by 7
Tasman v Manawatu
Manawatu by 20
North Harbour v Wellington
Wellington by 10
Waikato v Auckland
Waikato by 8
Counties Manukau v Northland
Northland by 8
Otago v Canterbury
Canterbury by 11
Southland v Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty by 8
Taranaki v Hawke's Bay
Taranaki by 8

 

[Somerset]

Manawatu and Wellington for the matches tomorrow and Friday.

I meant to say today and Friday, but you get the point.

Manawatu
Wellington
Waikato
Counties Manukau
Canterbury
Southland
Hawkes Bay
Otago (to beat Manawatu)

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Tasman v Manawatu
North Harbour v Wellington
Waikato v Auckland
Counties Manukau v Northland
Otago v Canterbury
Southland v Bay of Plenty
Taranaki v Hawke's Bay
Otago v Manawatu

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Tasman v Manawatu
North Harbour v Wellington
Waikato v Auckland
Counties Manukau v Northland
Otago v Canterbury
Southland v Bay of Plenty
Taranaki v Hawke's Bay
Otago v Manawatu

 

[BoyBrumby]

Bugger. Would've taken Manawatu too.

North Harbour v Wellington
Waikato v Auckland
Counties Manukau v Northland
Otago v Canterbury
Southland v Bay of Plenty
Taranaki v Hawke's Bay
Otago v Manawatu

 

[Somerset]

Remaining matches are essentially meaningless as far as the tables go; Canterbury host Waikato in the Premiership final, and bar something bizarre in the Championship, Manawatu will host Hawkes Bay. Still, there should be much interest in the Taranaki vs Hawkes Bay game tomorrow afternoon - my tip is it'll be HB taking the Ranfurly Shield.

 

[Hurricane]

@Heef and Somers

How did the NZRFU save money this year with the ITM cup. Was there less funding for the teams in the lower division (championship division)?

How did the finances all work out? I can't seem to find a good link.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

I'm not sure. If you really want to know, (and if Somers doesn't have the answer), I can find out easily enough.

 

[Somerset]

...my tip is it'll be HB taking the Ranfurly Shield.

Great prediction there... Have a feeling HB had one eye on the championship final against Manawatu.

I personally have no idea about the financial situation of the ITM Cup this year; without having direct contact with the Rugby Union I doubt I've got any sources to rely on either. Heath's probably your best bet.