Bay of Plenty v Waikato
Mt Maunganui, 2.35pm today
They are Chiefs partners and have a long history, so expect a tasty contest when Bay of Plenty host Waikato at Mt Maunganui today.
There are also solid rugby reasons for the two throwing themselves into the fray with a rare old intensity. Consider the points table.
Bay of Plenty are three-from-three and in good shape; Waikato are second bottom and need to bounce back from getting a duffing by defending champions Canterbury last week.
But writing Waikato off so soon would be rash.
New coach Chris Gibbes has brought prop Nathan White and lock Kevin O'Neill back into his starting XV, has Ole Avei taking over from All Black Aled de Malmanche, and rejigged his loose forward trio in the absence through suspension of Jordan Smiler, giving Waikato Development team player Matt Blain a start.
David Bason replaces All Black Brendon Leonard at halfback and Save Tokula gets his chance at centre in place of Roimata Hansell-Pune. Gibbes knows the quality of players in his squad and isn't sweating on progress just yet.
"Every team has got different challenges," he said.
"We have great athletes and good players who haven't strung it together. But I'm very optimistic about where we are at."
On the other side of the Kaimai Ranges, Sean Horan has brought Solomon King in at flanker for absent All Black Tanerau Latimer and Mark Burman replaces John Moore at lock. He has every reason to be happy with progress. Bay manger Paul Feeney is not above putting a bit of juice into the mix as well.
"Waikato like to see themselves as the big brother, which always provides the Steamers with an extra incentive for victory," Feeney said.
Gibbes has high praise for Bay of Plenty's achievement so far this season, which began with coach Greg Smith getting the Don't Come Monday before the opening round.
"They're playing bloody good rugby, they've stuck together and it's shown on the park. If we don't perform they'll take us to task." In the weekend's other games, Tasman, buoyed by a resounding win over Counties-Manukau, attempt to fry bigger fish today, playing Canterbury in Christchurch. You wouldn't give much for their chances, but Canterbury - who welcome back former All Blacks, halfback Andy Ellis and hooker Corey Flynn from injuries - are without Dan Carter and loose forward Kieran Read.
Canterbury's principles and philosophies are deeply ingrained and even with Carter's sharp talents missing, the ship still generally stays on course. Then again, if Tasman can draw inspiration from fellow NZRU writeoffs Manawatu, who sat top of the championship before last night's games, they could surprise.
For the fourth straight weekend, Counties-Manukau have the Sunday clash, this time hosting Taranaki at Pukekohe. They prop up the table and are still chasing their first win.
Taranaki have lost former All Black flanker Scott Waldrom to injury, but first five-eighth Willie Ripia returns.
BAY OF PLENTY v WAIKATO
Bay of Plenty
Zar Lawrence
Nigel Hunt
Cory Aporo
Phil Burleigh
Jason Hona
Mike Delany
Junior Poluleuligaga
Colin Bourke (c)
Luke Braid
Solomon King
Culum Retallick
Mark Burman
James McGougan
John Pareanga
Josh Hohneck
Reserves: Dean Elmiger, Ted Tauroa, John Moore, Zak Hohneck, Nick McCashin, Wayne Hughson, Toby Arnold
Waikato
Sosene Anesi
Tim Mikkelson
Save Tokula
Callum Bruce
Dwayne Sweeney
Sam Christie
David Bason
Jack Lam
Matt Blain
Liam Messam (c)
Romana Graham
Kevin O'Neill
Nathan White
Ole Avei
Hikairo Forbes
Reserves: Vern Kamo/Lionel Wairau, Ben May/Latu Talakai, Toby Lynn, Kent Fife, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Trent Renata, Henry Speight
