Battle already for semifinal placings

A win to either Manawatu or Counties Manukau in today's NPC second division match should have a major bearing on the semifinal lineups in a month.

Both have had two losses and after their clash in Palmerston North, they have the capacity to pick up plenty of points in remaining matches.

Manawatu are fourth on the table and Counties fifth, but Counties have had their bye, while Manawatu have theirs next week.

Hawkes Bay have the bye today, but they have built up a five-point buffer at the top.

With second-placed Nelson Bays and third-placed North Otago likely to grab maximum points, Counties must beat Manawatu to keep pace with the probable top three.

Counties' two losses have been at home to North Otago and away to Nelson Bays.

Their coach, former All Black Bruce Robertson, has lost many of his best men from last season, but isn't looking for excuses.

They did hammer the useful Thames Valley 57-23 last Saturday.

"It's not easy, each year is different. But we have a lot of commitment and passion in this team," Robertson said.

"They have put in some good moments this season."

For the second successive season Marlborough are in the relegation zone heading into their clash with Thames Valley at Lansdowne Park.

Marlborough have seven points with East Coast on two and Mid-Canterbury on one. Thames Valley are also teetering on the brink, three points ahead of Marlborough.

Last year Marlborough saved their bacon by thrashing Thames Valley 50-22 at Paeroa which, at the time, consigned the Swamp Foxes to the third division until a change of ruling by the New Zealand Rugby Union allowed them to remain in division two.

Despite their low positions, Marlborough and Thames Valley still have a mathematical chance of reaching the semifinals if they win all their remaining games and other results favour them.

In other second division games today, Nelson Bays host East Coast and Mid-Canterbury are at home to North Otago.

Third-division leaders Wanganui face a difficult away match to fourth-placed Wairarapa Bush.

If they stumble, Horowhenua Kapiti are poised to take the top spot after hosting bottom team Poverty Bay.

Buller are at home to South Canterbury and King Country take on West Coast at Te Kuiti.

- NZPA