Wellington regarded as form XV

By WYNNE GRAY


Wellington have been the best team in the NPC, but Waikato have coped with weeks of sudden-death drama.

That was coach John Mitchell's summary of tonight's opening NPC semifinal, a match which has a curtainraiser today with Jerry Collins' appeal against his fortnight suspension being heard by the NZRFU.

Collins said last night he would ask thatb his suspension be reduced to one week which would enable him to play in the final if Wellington win.


Mitchell said he was not bluffing when he described Wellington as the form side in the series.

They had cracked on 160 points in their last three matches, and when they beat Waikato 37-17 in pool play, they smashed his side up the middle and finished off in the backs.

"We have to get plenty of ball and things have to go our way to get a result against Wellington this time," he said. "But we back ourselves, it is the playoffs."

Two must-wins to qualify had reinforced Waikato's self-belief, an observation not lost on his coaching opposite, John Plumtree.

The tenacity they showed in overcoming a wretched injury list and tough opponents, meant they would be formidable at the CakeTin.

Home ground advantage was a tag Plumtree wanted to sidestep. The semifinal was great for the Wellington fans, but it would not make much difference in the outcome.

Wellington have wing Lome Fa'atau, first five-eighths Riki Flutey and loose forward Scott Waldrom back after their injuries, with Kristian Ormsby set to play in the No 6 jersey unless Collins wins his late appeal.

"They can replace one big hitter with another, we respect both Collins and Ormsby," Mitchell said.

Once again Waikato have been forced to search for replacements, with Roger Randle, Dave Duley and Byron Kelleher returning to the bench after their lengthy injuries.


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