Darry Worthington runs the rule of the domestic show piece fixture below.
Taranaki v Hawke’s Bay
Saturday 21 October
Yarrow Stadium
To Win
Taranaki 4/6 | Draw 20/1 | Hawke’s Bay 6/5
If this weekend’s final is anything like either of last weekend’s semi-finals then we are in for a cracking 90-minutes of Rugby out at Yarrow.
Taranaki went into their clash with Canterbury with history well and truly against them as they took on the most successful side in the history of New Zealand’s domestic rugby scene. History be damned, however, as Taranaki managed to claim an enthralling will beating their fancied rivals 23-16. t was a polished performance from this weekend’s hosts with their forward pack fronting up to a vastly experienced Canterbury eight, while their backs made full use of the few opportunities that were given to them.
While the Taranaki versus Canterbury game was a cracker, the other semi was even better with Hawke’s Bay claiming a surprise one-point victory over the form team of the ‘comp, Wellington. Bay of Plenty set the tone at the start of proceedings and raced into an 18-3 lead at half-time.
They were then besieged by Wellington who got their act together with an early second half try. Hawke’s Bay would then bounce back with a seven-pointer of their own but it was all Wellington from then on in with the hosts besieging Bay’s 22. The visitors would hold strong, however, and conceded the final two tries either side of full-time
Both sides are deserved finalists and this should be a cracker. I do think that Taranaki will take t as their squad depth in key positions is just a touch above. I’m backing their bench to power them to a win.
Verdict: Taranaki (-3.5) 10/11
