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Hawkes Bay's road to the top 7.

Dizzy

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Well Hawkes Bay have three games left[or had they played one last night] and need to win every game and gain a bonus point to make the top 7 of the ITM Cup.
They played Northland last night in a crucial match they needed to win and they did so putting them above Northland by one point.
It was a great game and the bonus point try was looming in the final play of the game which saw Hawkes Bay attack from their own goal line all the way to the other end of the field but their bonus point chances were demolished when Kahn Fotuali'i put a grubber kick in behind the Northland defence which had no potential for any of the Hawkes Bay chasers to capitalise. A Northland player touched it down to finish the game 25-13 putting Northland out of reach for a bonus point where they now sit 10th on the table at 22 points and Hawkes Bay have moved up to 9th on 23 points.
The following week see's Hawkes Bay take on North Harbour and the final week sets them against Counties Manukau.

The two sides they need to lose this weekend are Wellington and Counties Manukau.
I support both these sides simply because Umaga is a proud Wellingtonian and has devoted his rugby career to Wellington and he now plays for Counties.
Wellington have North Harbour who sit 11th on 19 points and Wellington are in 8th on 28 points.
If Harbour win and heres hoping they don't achieve bonus point status they will push Northland to 11th and rise to 10th on an equal 23 points with Hawkes Bay.
Although with returning All Blacks coming in for Wellington and Harbours' Luke McAlister out of the side, It doesn't look good for Hawkes Bay.
Wellington see Taranaki next week and a strong Southland side in the final week.

Then Counties have Auckland, a very hungry side who sit at 5th place with 30points and Counties are 7th on 29 points. Auckland are looking strong but Counties haven't looked weak either, coming from last years bottom of the table and being the weakest side to becoming a major player in this years competition.
They have a strong Canterbury side next week and then they take on Hawkes Bay in the final week.
 
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I don't think the Magpies chances are great ... North Harbour are just about going to have to raid the hospital A & E department this week to field a team against Wellington

... aside from McAlister's fractured jaw, they have lost their captain and prop Michael Reid for the season with a toe injury, Midfeilder Brendon Watt for at least one game with an ankle injury, and centre Jack Tarrent and Fullback Jack McPhee both had head knocks in previous matches and may not be ok, also No.8 Matt Luamanu is struggling to overcome a hamstring injury
 
Chances are very slim then. Especially considering in the final weeks I believe all Wellingtons All Blacks will turn out to help their club make the 7th spot
 
Wellington throttled North Harbour and have brightened their chances of finishing in the top 7.
And Counties lost according to plan.

But it's not over for Hawkes Bay yet.
If they manage to get two bonus point wins in the next two matches.
And heres hoping Counties continue their losing streak.[vs Canterbury and Hawkes Bay]
It will see our tally rise to 33 points.

At the moment Bay of Plenty sit at 7th with 32 pts so now they have been thrown in the mix for Hawkes Bay's chances.
They have a strong Southland squad next week, and chances are that they will lose, heres hoping they don't lose within the seven to gain a bonus point.
And then they have an entertaining Northland side. If Ranger returns their chances look brighter. Lose without gaining a bonus point and Hawkes Bay are sure to make the top 7.
 

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