Rugby: Te Awamutu ready for repeat

Te Awamutu lock Lucas Quinn secures possession in the 2014 Stan Meads Cup final. Photo / Colin Thorsen

Defending titleholders Te Awamutu and fellow Waikato representative team Piako will fight out the 2015 Stan Meads Cup on Saturday at Albert Park in Te Awamutu.

The Stan Meads Cup is named in honour of one of the fine All Blacks and King Country locks of the 1960s.

Piako have fashioned an unbeaten record this season, but will have a mighty challenge on their hands, when they square off with the Te Awamutu sub-union side in the main attraction on Stan Meads Cup finals day.

Te Awamutu have dominated the SMC competition from day one in 2011. Not only have they tasted defeated on just one occasion, but they have held the Peace Cup (SMC Challenge Trophy) since it was brought into the SMC title race.

Piako had a good battle in the SMC crossover semifinals before prevailing 28-15 over Eastern Bay of Plenty, with Te Awamutu were stretched to the limit before defeating Hamilton 28-24 in an absolute barn-burner.

Successive SMC bowls will be on the agenda of King Country B, when they run out onto Albert Park in the entree to the Stan Meads Cup. However, standing in the way of the King Country Second XV will be Central Bay of Plenty.

The Rotorua-based side were very competitive in their three encounters in section one, banking a bonus point in every game. The two sides met two weeks ago, in the third round of section one, with Central Bay of Plenty beating the King Country side 26-12.

While there is plenty on the line for the four teams contesting the SMC finals day, there will be a last hurrah for 23 of the most talented players in the 2015 SMC competition.

On Saturday September 19 the Stan Meads Cup representative team will play a Harlequins selection in Matamata.

Stan Meads Cup finals day, September 12, Albert Park, Te Awamutu
Stan Meads Cup (2.30pm) Te Awamutu v Piako
SMC Bowl (1pm) Central Bay of Plenty v King Country B

Stan Meads Cup champions
2011: Te Awamutu
2012: Te Awamutu
2013: Eastern Bay of Plenty
2014: Te Awamutu