Meads Cup Preview: Mid Canterbury v Wanganui

These teams are very familiar with one another and have met each of the last four years in playoff matches. As ever this game offers an intriguing contrast in styles and picking a winner is no easy task.

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VENUE & TIME: Rugby Park, Christchurch, Saturday October 31, 16.05 NZT.

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 25 – Mid-Canterbury 10, Wanganui 15.

LAST TIME: October 10, 2008 (Ashburton) – Mid-Canterbury 23-14 Wanganui.

WALKING WOUNDED: Both teams are at full strength for this match.

FORM: Mid-Canterbury deserved to top the table as it lost only one match all season, early on at Gisborne. While several matches were close Mid-Canterbury always found ways to get the job done, the sign of a good side. The Mids played a very accurate game at Ashburton three weeks ago to defeat Wanganui, denying the visiting backs the ball and space they desired and defending well when necessary. Wanganui has, as usual, piled up the points and the backline is as dangerous as ever but the results have been a little inconsistent and two defeats – the other one was a surprising early loss at Masterton – suggest there have been a couple of days when not everything has gone to plan. However, the last two weeks have been vintage Wanganui as the Butcher Boys gave Poverty Bay two thumpings on their way to the final.

WHO'S HOT: Mid-Canterbury has a ton of experience in its pack and most of the eight have played at higher levels. Jon Dampney is consistently good, a commanding lineout forward and busy around the park, while the loose trio, spearheaded by skipper Jason Gill, will concern Wanganui. First-five Kieran Lindsay is the competition's leading scorer with 115 points to date and his accurate boot has been crucial in a number of close matches, while Hayden Dwyer leads the try count with five. Wanganui has gone for mobility up front with captain David Gower, usually a flanker, packing in the engine room. Peter Rowe, a veteran of more than 50 matches for the union, will need to be at his best against the abrasive Mid-Canterbury loosies. Denning Tyrell always commands respect and his kicking – he has 95 championship points to date – needs to be good to match Lindsay. Wanganui's most dangerous attacker this year is Player of Origin Fraser Middleton, who long ago locked up the scoring title and has 12 tries to his name so far.

WE THINK: Although this is a home away from home match for Mid-Canterbury, we think the table-toppers are a good bet to win it. Since the inception of finals in 1992 only three Division Two / Meads Cup deciders have gone to the away team and Mid-Canterbury, with its strong pack and capable backs, should be good enough to reverse last year's result.

TEAMS:

Mid-Canterbury: 1 – Craig Dunlea, 2 – James Carr (captain), 3 – Jason Rickard, 4 – Malcolm Cairns, 5 – Jon Dampney, 6 – Pete McAndrew, 7 – Daniel Bokser, 8 – Jason Gill, 9 – Josh Lindsay, 10 – Kieran Lindsay, 11 – Andrew Letham, 12 – Jack Umaga or Robbie Flynn, 13 – Matt Ryan, 14 – Hayden Dwyer, 15 – Richard Fridd.

Reserves: 16 – Tukulua Tolu, 17 – James McLeod, 18 – Joel Hewson, 19 – Tim O'Sullivan, 20 – Siaola Fifita, 21 – Manase Nonu, 22 – Travis Thompson.

Wanganui: 1 – Matt Gilbert, 2 – Cole Baldwin, 3 – Sheldon O'Hagan, 4 – David Gower (captain), 5 – Jon Smyth, 6 – Fraser Hammond, 7 – Peter Rowe, 8 – Lasa Ulukuta, 9 – Denning Tyrell, 10 – Leon Mason, 11 – Cameron Crowley, 12 – Steelie Koro, 13 – Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 14 – Waisake Ratunideuba, 15 – Fraser Middleton.

Reserves: 16 – Justin Lock, 17 – Daren Munro, 18 – Shaun McDonough, 19 – Nic Cranston, 20 – Ricky Alabaster, 21 – Vance Pereka, 22 – Sam Scown.

REFEREE: Mike Fraser