Dunedin-Taieri clash could decide trophy

Otago Daily Times

19-06-2025

Dunedin wrapped up the Speight's Challenge Shield for the summer when they did enough in the first spell to bag five points against GI. They remain two points clear of Taieri as the round robin only has two rounds to go. I had Southern on my radar as a definite finalist but nobody mentioned that to Kaik as they dished it up to the Magpies at the Varsity Oval and now sit third in the competition. It's still very close though, as they are two points clear of Southern, GI and Harbour. Varsity are five points adrift of them in seventh. Predictably, Taieri subjugated AU by a massive 76 points to stay in touch with Dunedin at the top of the table. Harbour, with lynchpin Rique Miln back at first five, also broke the 80-point mark when they laid waste to Zingers. Miln contributed 40% of their points with a modest haul of 32 points. The biggest game this weekend will be Dunedin-Taieri which could decide the Gallaway Trophy and the No1 qualifier in the mythical six. What happens next?
We have two rounds left to determine the six and the order. This is complicated in the fact that we still have points to allocate to the teams that have had the bye in the split round. The teams that finished first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth at the end of the round robin all had a bye. Depending where they finished in two weeks time they will be allocated five, four,three, two or one points. Dunedin will get five points as they can't be caught by the others. Southern and Harbour should fight for the middle seven points. Varsity should probably get the two points and AU will definitely get the one. So where does that leave us? Struggling I'd have thought! Dunedin play Taieri then have the bye. Taieri play Dunedin and Southern. Kaikorai play Harbour and Varsity. Southern play GI and Taieri. GI play Southern and Harbour. Harbour play Kaik and GI. Varsity play Zingers and Kaik. These are teams that are still in the hunt for the six. So then where are we? Slightly better! Dunedin will finish first or second depending on the result of the Taieri game. Taieri would win the Gallaway if they win their remaining games and finish second if they win one. But they could drop back to third or fourth if they go winless. Southern could finish as high as second or as low as fourth. Kaikorai could finish as high as third or as low as fifth. Harbour the same as Southern. Varsity will need to win both to make it, so as high as third or as low as seventh. I'll make a rash prediction for the six in order. Dunedin, Taieri, Southern, Kaik, Harbour, GI, with Varsity to miss. But there are a lot of holes, theories and wild thoughts — it's still too close to call! Down on the farm
Word on the street is up north it's the final round this weekend before playoffs. Lads, it's mid-June and from memory you didn't start till late April! Do you not believe in running a proper competition? The top four are already confirmed but it's tight in the top three. Valley lead Excelsior and Athies by three and four points respectively. Old Boys are confirmed in fourth. Kurow and Maheno have the short straw, short season and are short on games. In Central the four have been confirmed with three rounds still to go. Upper Clutha, Alex, Wakatip and the Maggots. Upper Clutha should finish first and the Maggots fourth. It's tight in the middle.
In the South the top four is also confirmed with three rounds to go. Clutha are unbeaten at the top, 11 points clear. There are only three points between the next three, West Taieri, Toko and Crescent.
In the deep South, with two rounds to go, Pirates Old Boys lead by eight from Woodlands, with a game in hand. It's tight for third and fourth and there are only three points between the Eastern Northern Barbarians, Marist and Star. Other grades
In P2s where they go to a top four as they have two weeks off now. Taieri (52) lead GI (46) followed by Harbour (38), Dunedin (33), Varsity (30) and Zingari (27). Thus the top four are not confirmed but really it's a two-horse race. In seniors, Taieri (50) are unbeaten followed by Dunedin (45), Eastern (41) and Pirates (32) back in fourth. They go to semis so you would think Taieri and Dunedin square off in the final. In prem colts they are playing till August 9 and are now on a four-week break. Kaik (50) lead Dunedin (49) by a point. The other teams in contention are Varsity (41) and Southern (37). They should be the semifinalists and I get the feeling there is not much between these teams. Junior Colts also finish on August 9 and the Dunedin Hammerheads (34) lead Kaik (30) with the Dunedin Tigers (21) in third followed by WT (17) in fourth. They will be your top four with the Hammerheads the clear favourites. Tell me it's not true
Is the new Otago coach meddling in club rugby already? He is not even here yet I think. Highlander and Dunedin prop Rohan Wingham, who didn't grace the field for the Landers all season, is apparently resting the next two weekends to get himself ready for the Otago NPC campaign? Surely I've got this wrong? This weekend
Lost to Max Chu from the Volts at the weekend. How could that have happened? On to Benji Culhane from Otago and the Black Sticks. He's already won because how's this for dedication. Benji is playing for New Zealand at the Nations Cup in Malaysia, where they are unbeaten and playing in the semifinal against South Korea at 1am tomorrow NZ time.All the Otago boys in the team — Benji, brothers Finn and Patrick Ward, and Malachi Buschl — put their heads together to do the picks. Great work lads. Varsity (13+) are at home to Zingers and have to win to remain relevant. Zingers are racking up the injuries so Varsity get the crucial points to stay alive. In the big game, Taieri are at their beloved Eelpit and they love water and mud and will get that in spades. The Sharks (12-) have a few out and go in as decided underdogs but somehow they'll make it 10 straight and wrap up the Gallaway. Harbour (12-) host Kaik at the Goldfish Bowl after coming off a big win last week. Kaik should go in as favourites but Harbour may just get it done. Southern (12-) should bounce back at Bog Bathgate over GI and give themselves a chance of finishing top two but a word of caution: GI will be desperate.
Down on the farm I crushed "Dribbles" last week but on to an entirely new scenario this week. Speaking of dedication, I reached out to our Olympic champion and Otago sportsman of the year Finn Butcher by text on Tuesday in Pau (France) where he was competing in a canoe slalom world cup meeting. Sure enough his tips rolled in at 6.30am yesterday. He's also already won in my eyes. Wakatip (13+) should be too strong for the Arrowtown bulls in the local derby to hold on to second spot. Alex (13+) travel to Ranfurly to take on the Maggots and need to win well to prove they are a real shot at the final. The Mighty Matak (12-) are at home to Cromwell and I'm picking they get up.
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