WAIKATO v HAWKES BAY
Hamilton, 7.35pm today
BAY OF PLENTY v CANTERBURY
Mt Maunganui, 5.30pm today
You can't fault Junior Poluleuligaga for being a stay-at-home type.
He was with North Harbour for a few seasons, including being part of the union's first team to win the Ranfurly Shield in 2006; played for Samoa at the World Cup the following year; headed to France and a spell at Toulon with Tana Umaga and eminent rugby names including George Gregan, Victor Matfield and Anton Oliver; and parked up at Harlequins last season before heading home in April.
Now he's a senior hand steering Bay of Plenty's impressive Air New Zealand Cup campaign, which began with four straight wins before tripping up in the wet at Eden Park last weekend.
Harlequins have been roasted over the Bloodgate scandal and Poluleuligaga recalls he left the club the week before the faked blood bin incident involving Tom Williams which has meant a three-year ban for former England great Dean Richards, not to mention the loss of his considerable reputation.
"It was quite a shock to me," Poluleuligaga said, adding he saw nothing in his time there to suggest anything underhand was taking place - or was about to.
"I didn't think they'd get that desperate and do something stupid like that," he said.
At 28, Poluleuligaga has seen much of the rugby world and Bay of Plenty are benefiting from his experiences. He retains a keen eye for a dart round the side of a ruck and his work with in-form first five-eighths Mike Delany has been pivotal.
Parting from coach Greg Smith in the week before the cup began could have had grim repercussions. But Poluleuligaga praises his teammates' response.
"A lot of players are taking ownership. They realised they can't dwell on the rubbish which was happening," he said. "Some of them have been round a while, they've matured and realised they don't want to waste the season."
Every win brings its satisfaction, but those over the teams from the big smoke have an added relish for the provincial teams. Bay of Plenty are no different, so they delighted in turning over Wellington and Waikato in consecutive weeks last month. The 29-14 loss to Auckland, they hope, was an aberration but Canterbury today will be difficult, even shorn of their All Blacks Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn and Owen Franks.
"This is another big chance and the boys are really excited. They've been doing their homework. Everyone's buzzing," Poluleuligaga said.
He recalls when Harbour won the shield at the 11th attempt off Canterbury: they were well beaten in their next two games, still rather dusty after the celebrations. He hopes Canterbury, who took the shield off Wellington last week, might be similarly vulnerable.
It's a nice thought from the Bay of Plenty perspective, but they shouldn't count on it.
Waikato retain two of their four All Blacks - halfback Brendon Leonard and hooker Aled de Malmanche - for the visit from Hawkes Bay today.
Gauging their form this season has been tricky. A line reading L, W, L, L, W makes Waikato tough to assess.
Forwards Jack Lam and Ben May return while Trent Renata starts for injured Sam Christie at No 10, and Fijian Henry Speight comes on to the wing.
It will be just their second game at home so far this season. However, three of their last four games are at Waikato Stadium. They might need that extra support as the semifinal shakedown gathers momentum.
In the other match today, Tasman host Manawatu which should be a decent contest between two teams who have raised a few eyebrows so far.
WAIKATO v HAWKES BAY
Waikato
Sosene Anesi
Henry Speight
Save Tokula
Callum Bruce
Dwayne Sweeney
Trent Renata
Brendon Leonard
Alex Bradley
Jack Lam
Liam Messam (c)
Kevin O'Neill
Romana Graham
Nathan White
A. de Malmanche
Ben May
Reserves: Vern Kamo, Hikairo Forbes, Kent Fife, Matt Blain, David Bason, Alesana Muliaina, Tim Mikkelson.
Hawkes Bay
Israel Dagg
Mark Jackman
J. Shoemark (c)
Sam Giddens
Zac Guildford
Andrew Horrell
Chris Eaton
Thomas Waldrom
Karl Lowe
Michael Johnson
Ross Kennedy
Matt Egan
Sona Taumalolo
Hika Elliott
Josh Keys
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Clint Newland, Hugh Reed, Geoge Naoupu, Kilifi Fangupu, Aayden Clarke, Jason Kupa
BAY OF PLENTY v CANTERBURY
Bay of Plenty
Ben Smith
Nigel Hunt
Cory Aporo
Phil Burleigh
Jason Honja
Mike Delany
J.Poluleuligaga
Colin Bourke (c)
Luke Braid
Tanerau Latimer
Culum Retallick
John Moore
James McGougan
John Paereanga
Josh Hohneck
Reserves: Dean Elmiger, Ted Tauroa, Mark Burman, Soloman King, Wayne Hughson, Zar Lawrence, Toby Arnold.
Canterbury
Colin Slade
Umaga-Marshall
Adam Whitelock
Ryan Crotty
James Paterson
Stephen Brett
Andy Ellis
Ash Parker
G.Whitelock (c)
Michael Paterson
Sam Whitelock
Luke Romano
Peter Borlase
Corey Flynn
Wyatt Crockett
Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Andrew Olorenshaw, Nasi Manu, Matt Todd, Willi Heinz, Tim Bateman, Sean Maitland
