Rugby: Intense battle for last spot in playoffs

By Chris Rattue

Wellington and Otago will go into the final two rounds of the NPC in charge of their own semifinal destiny.

The major interest in the last rounds appears to be a three-way fight for the fourth finals position between Wellington, Otago and North Harbour.

Wellington crushed Southland 61-3 in Wellington yesterday, and North Harbour scored a late try to replacement Manako Tonga to pick up five points in the win over Taranaki, to join Otago - beaten by Canterbury - in fourth spot after seven rounds.

Form horse Auckland are set for home advantage in the finals series after out playing Waikato and opening up a four point gap over Canterbury. The form book still suggests that Canterbury and Waikato will join them in the finals series.

Harbour is disadvantaged under the NPC tied teams formula in the three-way battle for fourth.

If any teams are equal in the final standings, they are separated by the result of the match between them. (if the teams drew, the differential between average points for and against is used).

North Harbour lost to Wellington by a point when they were outplayed at Athletic Park in round two, and they went down by two points in the "Bonus" Honiss penalty try match in round four at Carisbrook.

Wellington and faltering champions Otago clash in the final round on a Sunday at Athletic Park, the last scheduled match at the old rugby stadium before Wellington rugby moves to its new home near the railyards. That game could become a sudden death playoff for the fourth finals spot.

North Harbour finish with games against Counties Manukau at Pukekohe, and then Canterbury at Albany.

Otago have a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato this Saturday, and then their date with Wellington at Athletic Park.. Wellington take on Canterbury at Christchurch this Friday night.

As always, bonus points could play a major part in the three-way battle. But if Canterbury do finish with wins against Wellington and North Harbour, then Wellington may have the chance to farewell their famous ground in 13 days time with an all-or-nothing clash against the 1998 champions.

Meanwhile, the disciplinary commissioner is understood to be looking at an alleged illegal charge by Otago back Romi Ropati on Canterbury fullback Leon Macdonald in Saturday night's match at Carisbrook. Other incidents under investigation are believed to involve alleged trampling by an Auckland forward during Friday night's match against Waikato at Eden Park.