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The ITM Cup will kick off this week and here's a quick preview at the 3 most important games.
Thursday when last years Championship winners Counties Manukau host Wellington. The Steelers will be looking for a big win after winning promotion last year after beating Otago in the final 41-16. Big names for Counties include Tim Nanai-Williams, Frank Halai, Mo Schwalger and Bundee Aki. The Wellington side will be looking for quality attack in Tim Bateman, Lima Sopoaga and TJ Perenara. Conrad Smith, Julian Savea and Cory Jane are expected to be representing the All Blacks during the ITM Cup. The last time these two teams played each other, was in 2010. Counties won 25-31 in Wellington.
Premiership winners Canterbury kick off a day later against Taranaki at AMI Stadium in Christchurch. With a lot of players lost due to All Blacks call-up (Carter, Franks, Flynn, Read and Sam Whitelock, to name a few) the scouting system of Canterbury will be tested again. Tom Taylor, Patrick Osbourne and Willi Heinz are definitely players to watch. Taranaki lost Craig Clarke who moved to Connacht in Ireland but there's still enough talent to make something nice out of the season. Andre Taylor, Jarrad Hoeata and Beaden Barrett are all possible All Black call-ups but if they stay put, they are definitely the ones to give Taranaki a fighting chance. Last year, Canterbury lost to Taranaki in New Plymouth (18-9), but won in Christchurch in the semi-finals (51-27 after extra time).
On Saturday, Waikato will host Northland to defend the Ranfurly Shield. The province, who is the biggest contributor to the back-to-back Super Rugby champions the Chiefs, lost two ITM Cup finals in the last 3 years. Ben Tameifuna, Liam Messam and Tawera Kerr-Barlow are possible All Blacks in the side, that is lead by Matt Vant Leven. Northland lost a great player in Rene Ranger, who moved to Montpellier in France. Fijian winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca is an experienced winger of whom a lot will be expected. Last year, Northland beat Waikato 27-29 in Hamilton.
Other matches this week are:
Hawke's Bay vs. Manawatu in Napier
Southland vs. Tasman in Invercargill
Auckland vs. North Harbour in Auckland
Otago vs. Bay of Plenty in Dunedin
Round 1 Fixtures
Growers Stadium, Pukekohe (Thursday, 06:35 GMT / Thursday, 19:35 NZST)
Rugby League Park, Canterbury (Friday, 06:35 GMT / Friday, 19:35 NZST)
McLean Park, Napier (Saturday, 01:35 GMT / Saturday, 14:35 NZST)
Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill (Saturday, 04:35 GMT / Saturday, 17:35 NZST)
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (Saturday, 06:35 GMT / Saturday, 19:35 NZST)
Eden Park, Auckland (Sunday, 01:35 GMT / Sunday, 14:35 NZST)
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (Sunday, 03:35 GMT / Sunday, 16:35 NZST)