A massive weekend of rugby is upon us and as we start the back half of the Premier & Division 1 competition, we are starting to enter must win territory for teams if they look to keep their top 5 aspirations alive. Currently the Premier top 5 is split by just seven points, while a chasing pack of three teams sit just outside the top five only a win behind. Fraser Tech, University & United Matamata Sports are after that crucial upset over one of the highflyers, with a win for any of them really putting the screws on for the final few weeks. 

Our only undefeated side Hamilton Marist travel across town and take on fellow 2023 Centurions Fraser Tech is a traditional Hamilton derby game. Waikato & Chiefs outside back Liam Coombes-Fabling makes his first start in the number 10 jersey for Fraser Tech in what will be an exciting prospect for the Tech men. Coombes-Fabling brings a quality skill set and a position he is not totally unfamiliar with spending time there earlier this season in short spells and sometime their during his secondary school days. Hamilton Marist have named a largely unchanged side, with the big omission of competition leading points scorer Wharanui Hawera unavailable for selection. 

Down the road at Hamilton Old Boys, they put the Stag Trophy up for grabs when they host University. Hamilton Old Boys who currently sit fourth on the ladder, will be looking to get back in the winning circles after a one-point defeat last week to Hamilton Marist. University will be heading across town looking to pick up some silverware, but also get a massive defeat and really shake up the top 5. You can see this game on our Waikato Rugby Facebook page as it will be live streamed from 2.45pm Saturday afternoon. 

Second place Hautapu host fifth place Te Awamutu Sports in what is a big game for both sides. Te Awamutu Sports looking to maintain their hold on the top 5, but defeat to Hautapu and a victory to Fraser Tech will really shake that up for the Te Awamutu men. 

In other premier matches, United Matamata Sports host Melville in a big day for the Matamata club. Along with their premiers at home, there colts also play at Bedford Park hosting Hamilton Marist Colts. Morrinsville face a big challenge hosting the well travelling Otorohanga. With two weeks at home, Otorohanga make the big trip across the Waikato and will head to Morrinsville full of confidence. 

In arguably the tightest competition to date in 2023 is the Division 1A comp. We have seen multiple upsets throughout the first four weeks, with a different looking top 5 that we have potentially become accustomed to in this grade in recent years. 

Top of the table Ohaupo travel down the road to play their closest rivals in Pirongia at the Pirongia Domain. The Jordan Farrington coached side in Ohaupo are one of two sides who are yet to be defeated in 2023 in Division 1 and will head to Pirongia looking to maintain that record for another weekend. Pirongia do pose a great challenge for the table toppers in the share fact that it is a local derby, it is their first home match since their week two victory over suburbs in early April and they are yet to be beaten in 2023 at Pirongia Domain. Fellow undefeated side Leamington host Frankton out in Cambridge in a game in which they will be backing themselves to also remain undefeated. As we have seen in previous weeks there is no room for complacency in this competition and the Frankton men will make the trip to Cambridge chasing, arguably the upset of the weekend. 

Hinuera host Te Rapa at Wealleans Park after they got an impressive away victory in Taupiri last weekend. Te Rapa have made the best start to their season for a long time and currently sit in third spot with only one defeat to date. Suburbs host Southern United in a midtable battle where a victory for the home men will get their reason rolling and sit them alongside fellow top 5 sides. The last game of the week sees Putaruru host Taupiri who are chasing the allusive first up win. Taupiri will travel south with confidence after three weeks of loses by less than seven points - that first win is not far away, and this weekend could be the weekend. 

The Gallagher Women's Premiership crosses the halfway point this weekend and with only a one round competition before playoffs things are getting tight for the chasing pack. Currently University & the Huskies have the top two spots locked up, with a chasing pack of of five teams looking to make those other two top 4 spots. 

Matatu & Black Ferns outside back Grace Steinmetz makes her debut for Kihikihi this weekend as they travel down to play Putaruru. Kihikihi currently in fourth place with a two win two lose record, will go to Putaruru full of confidence - a victory will maintain their place in the top four alongside the Huskies & University. Top of the table University host third place Melville at the University, Melville who had their first defeat in 2023 last weekend when the hosted the Huskies will look to bounce back vs the high-flying University ladies. Huskies are back home kicking off a big day at Fred Jones & Willoughby Park hosting the ladies from Southern United. Otorohanga are back home hosting Hamilton Marist in a mid-table battle. Both sides need the victory to keep in touching distance of the top five, a loss will make it very difficult with only a few matches remaining to make the top 4. 

Our Under 85kg competition pauses for the weekend while those sides compete in the National Under 85kg Club Cup. Melville travel and play Waiheke Pirates in the only game for our teams. Morrinsville Sports who were down to play Ponsonby have won their round one game by default so will advance to the next round. Hamilton Marist had to default their match up with Auckland University while Leamington also won be default over Waiuku. 

After a couple false starts the Division 2 Competition heads into week two after a late draw reshuffle last weekend saw a number of defaults in this grade. This week we are all go and locked in. Southern United Cavaliers host Huntly while Hamilton Old Boys Guzzlers round out the action-packed day at the club when they host Kereone. The final game of the weekend sees 2022 defending champions host Jaradites at Marist Park.

Our colts competition again kick starts our weekend with three matches this evening under lights. Suburbs host their second Friday night match when they host Hamilton Old Boys, Te Awamutu Sports host Fraser Tech under lights at Albert Park and Hinuera host the men from University.

Table toppers Hamilton Marist travel out to United Matamata Sports after a big win last weekend and will challenged by the home town men. Southern United host Leamington while Pirongia kick off the days action at Pirongia Domain when they host Thames Valley United. Morrinsville Sports travel down and play Waitete while Hamilton Boys High School host Hautapu.  

Article added: Friday 05 May 2023