FPC Finals Preview
It's North v South in the Championship and Premiership finals
It’s already September, can you believe it? I’m not quite sure what happened to August but here we are on the eve of the Farah Palmer Cup finals.
The North Island contenders will be travelling down south for a replay of the 2019 finals, with Canterbury playing Auckland Storm and Otago Spirit against the Hawke’s Bay Tui. 2019 saw Canterbury and Otago victorious and safe money would say tomorrow might be the same.
The Otago Spirit are playing Hawke’s Bay Tui in a venue that will have some of us checking the competition handbook. There are minimum requirements for venues and I don’t know if Balclutha Showground checks the box. Commentators won’t be calling from the ground as there isn’t suitable space. An interesting thing to dissect alongside the missing TMOs, no HIA provision and marathon bus rides the players endured this season… someone should write a column (Don’t worry, I will on Tuesday).
But anyway, let’s look at the teams!
The lineups announced for the Otago Spirit and Hawke’s Bay Tui
Team graphics are so fancy these days. I remember having to set up a Facebook page for the Pride way back in 2015 cause we had no social media presence! Neither did the Black Ferns, that didn’t get started until the World Cup in 2017.
STAY ON TOPIC ALICE.
Hawke’s Bay name an unchanged starting line up. Experienced heads steer the ship with Emma Jensen and Krysten Cottrell at 9 and 10. Amelia Pasikala will no doubt continue her fine form which should have Aupiki selectors taking notice (that’s so cool that we can say that now and that there’s another place these players to level up). Kathleen Brown at 8, will be up for causing more trouble.
This is a tall order for the Tui, the bridesmaids of the last two Championship finals. Cottrell said it best when I previewed them back at the beginning of the season, “We don’t play too flashy or have too many tricks up the sleeve, we just try to do the basics right.”. If they can keep their structure they may just be able to build their way into this game.
Meanwhile, the Otago Spirit made it clear from the jump that they were gunning for promotion. They have only made one change at 8, with Kristie Kerr coming in for Gemma Miller. The last time they played Hawke’s Bay in a final, they edged them out 24-20. If they play anything like they did last week, I would be surprised if the scoreline is that close. That match was typified by the performance of Leah Miles, who ran for miles and never looked like quitting. They are a complete team, 1-22. Playing with the confidence and fitness standards they are, they are more than worthy of a return to the Premiership.
Kick off: Saturday 12.35pm, Balclutha Showground or Sky Sport 2
The lineups of the Canterbury v Auckland Storm sides
It’s the last hurrah of two of Canterbury’s favourite daughters, Steph Te Ohaere-Fox and Kendra Cocksegde. Steph has been moved to the bench for the occasion (a mistake I reckon!!) to make room for Amy Rule and Marcelle Parks returns at 8. Cocksedge will be wanting to make it 100 not out on her final and milestone match in the red and black jersey.
Last week I called the semis consistency versus potential, this final I’m naming patience versus power.
Canterbury don’t have anything to prove tomorrow and will be lying in wait to see what version of the Auckland Storm turn up. They will do what they have done all season - drip, drip, drip, wearing away at the form and focus of their opposition. They know how to play big games and will be comfortable defending a lead or chasing one. Only one more win away from a perfect season record.
The Storm well, they will have plenty to say out there tomorrow. A province with an immense legacy to live up to, players will want to win a title and the attention of Black Ferns selectors. This is the part of the game, I am most looking forward to, the battle of the Black Ferns for the World Cup jerseys.
With that in mind, pay close attention to:
Blackwell v Bremner in the locks
Bremner v Mikaele-Tu’u and McMenamin in the loosies
Du Plessis v Brunt in the midfield
And special mention to Steinmetz who has to run at and contain Mele Hufanga #therebutthegraceofgod
I would love to see Auckland click and play their free flowing footy. Then and only then will we have a real game on our hands. If they all get too bogged down in the niggle it could well end up just a long string of boring penalties. I want this to be the best possible contest/advertisement for the women’s game, we all deserve it!
Kick off: Saturday 3.05pm, Te Ohaere-Fox Cocksedge Park* or Sky Sport 2
*The union is renaming the venue (usually Rugby Park) to honour these two legends in their last match. Canterbury is good on ceremony, so this is all class from their union.
With you,
Alice