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After going through the latest round of ITM Cup results over the weekend, and in two countries, a thought occurred to me regarding overseas players in New Zealand (sparked by a comment made by a fellow Roarer elsewhere, I happily admit).
Given the large number of Test players released to the major provinces during the All Blacks break, I couldn’t help feel how the usual Big Six (or more likely Big Four now) provinces benefit from the influx of their national players.
Of the 10 All Blacks released for ITM Cup duty in round three, six are playing for Canterbury, Wellington or Auckland – four provinces get one All Black each and four do without.
Given Kiwi concerns about overseas players flooding their team (a la EPL), perhaps one way to address this is to carefully farm out overseas signings to smaller teams which would lift the overall standard of competition.
I want to focus on the Bay Of Plenty Steamers (BOP) for the moment to illustrate my point.
The Steamers play Auckland at Eden Park this Saturday (and I am so there). Auckland is likely to be boosted by the return of Kevin Mealamu and Charles Piutau (but no Luatua) and normally that would pose problems for BOP.
But the Steamers would hopefully get Sam Cane back and they have ex-Wallaby Beau Robinson (as well as Rebels winger Kimami Sitauti and Wallaby-in-training Albert Anae). Suddenly the Steamers are looking a little more potent which means the chances of an upset result are greater which is good for the game.
By some accounts, the BOP-Hawke’s Bay game was a cracker with the result on the wire right down to fulltime in the 84th minute. (Worth noting Hawkes Bay will get All Black prop Ben Franks back to compliment former Rebels hooker Ged Robinson, incoming Rebels prop Max Lahiff, Force halfback Alby Mathewson and former Force halfback Chris Eaton.)
It’s worth noting that Otago’s upset win over Waikato (I saw the first 20 minutes in Bondi and was not surprised when I learned the result later) seemed to be based partly on ferocious ruck play (Wallabies take note) and the quickfire service of Japanese Test halfback Fiumaki Tanaka.
The benefits for these overseas players (ie Aussies) are obvious. It’s no coincidence that former Mako Peter Betham was called up to the Wallabies after a good season with the Waratahs.
In other ITM Cup news (for those who are interested), Otago defends the Ranfurly Shield on Sunday against Hawkes Bay. Round three starts tonight (Wednesday) with Wellington taking on North Harbour.
Round three draw (home sides first, RS denotes Ranfurly Shield challenge)
Wellington v North Harbour tonight (Wednesday), Canterbury v Waikato (Thursday), Counties Manukau v Tasman (Friday), Auckland v Bay of Plenty, North Harbour v Northland, Southland v Taranaki (all Saturday games), Wellington v Manawatu, Otago (RS) v Hawke’s Bay (all Sunday games)
RESULTS (home sides listed first)
Round 2
North Harbour 14 Counties Manukau 44, Taranaki 10 Wellington 29, Waikato 19 Otago 26 (RS), Tasman 13 Canterbury 28, Northland 13 Southland 9, Bay of Plenty 24 Hawke’s Bay 20, Manawatu 18 Auckland 21
Round 1
Counties Manukau 16 Wellington 55, Canterbury 30 Taranaki 6, Hawke’s Bay 45 Manawatu 18, Southland 15 Tasman 25, Waikato 31 v Northland 22 (RS), Auckland 27 North Harbour 20, Otago 32 Bay of Plenty 29.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.