NPC Semi-Final #2: Waikato vs. Otago preview

October 13, 2006

Waikato host Otago in the other semi on Saturday night NZ time (early Saturday morning North America).

The Mooloo Men will be too strong at home and should win by more than 10 points. It could very well be Anton Oliver's last match in an Otago jersey, however, so maybe he'll lift him teammates to play one more week. I'll be more than a little interested to see how Waikato hardman Keith Robinson's back holds up. It seemed a year ago his career was well & truly over, but he's returned late in the season in a big way and reminding All Black selectors he wants to be in the mix for France 2006.

Rugby Planet has their preview up.

Waikato: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sosene Anesi, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 David Hill, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Byron Kelleher; 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Steven Bates (c), 5 Keith Robinson, 4 Jono Gibbes, 3 Nathan White, 2 Tom Willis, 1 Craig West.
Replacements: 16 Scott Linklater, 17 Aled de Malmanche, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Dwayne Sweeney, 22 Roy Kinikinilau.

Otago: 15 Craig Clare, 14 Greg Zampach, 13 Neil Brew, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Matt Saunders, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Toby Morland; 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Josh Blackie (c), 6 Alando Soakai, 5 James Ryan, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Anton Oliver, 1 Keith Cameron.
Replacements: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Chris King, 18 Ezra Taylor, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Charlie Hore 22 Luke Devcich.

Mediazone Rugby Channel has live online broadcast starting at 02:35 AM ET (Saturday, October 14, 2006).