15 Ben Blair vs. Adrian Cashmore
The old veteran Cashmore has added some nice touches to the BOP backline this year. He seems to have lost little pace and his sense for being at the right place at the right time are uncanny. Cashmore also adds a vocal presence to the BOP backline division. Blair excels at NPC level, usually running beautiful lines and taking gaps nicely. Blair has a penchant for playing well in the big NPC games.
CANTERBURY

14 Stewart vs. Ralph
The princess shagger wins this... Ralph is an ex All Black, nice finisher, good defence, originally comes from BOP... but most importantly he has shagged a princess.... Sorry Apoua Stewart, but you cannot compete with street cred like that.... to quote Ali G... Respec.
CANTERBURY

13 Tipoki vs. Laulala
Laulala seems to have had his development stifled at Canterbury, he was touted as an exciting talent of the future, he seems to be stuck in a time warp at Canterbury and one cannot help but wonder if his star would have risen further at a different province where he would get regular game time and exposure. He is capable of horrible drops in concentration, but also busting the line and making life extremely difficult for his opposite. Tipoki has added a mid-field threat to the steamer backline division this year, with some deft touches and nice running lines complimenting the biggest step since man decided to try making something round, rolling it around and calling it a wheel.
BOP

12 Mauger vs. McQuoid
Mauger played very good rugby last week and seems to have forced current AB 12 Carter onto the bench, if nothing else indicates a need for reforms to the NPC and S12 this does. McQuoid will have his hands full containing whichever Cantab 12 is on the field. McQuoid has some points to prove, with Ranby and Maisey both out for the season he has a point to prove so that little Willy O'Cain from Fraser tech U7's doesnt get selected by Foster for the Chiefs. Although word has it that Foster thinks Willy has the inside running on the Chiefs spot due to his unrecognised talent (and the fact he comes from Waikato). McQuoid will be out to prove that Foster (He does look a lot like fozzie bear) is a muppet for not choosing him in the 2004 Chiefs squad.
CANTERBURY

11 Tahana vs. Hamilton
Hard one to pick, but guessing that hamilton will benefit from better service....although marks off for Hamilton being named after the most swamp ridden disgusting city in the country.
CANTERBURY

10 Jackson vs. Merthens
Ahhh the clash of the mighty titans, everybody knows this is where games are won (they are lost in the forwards). The number 10 is the brains, looks and talent of any team. Don't let smelly forwards tell you they are important, they are only needed to make the backs look handsome by comparison... but I digress. Jackson has been in great form (except last week where the calls for loop/cut got confused with the calls for drop ball on ground/knock it on). In his final season (of this era) for BOP, he has shown what a talent he is. Merts is also in great form, sending out lovely passes which just invite his outsides to run onto. Invitations which last week they RSVP'd to and gleefully accepted. Both have solid kicking games and although normally merts would have the advantage, the home ground knowledge evens this up.
DRAW

9 Marshall vs. Senio/Tipuna
Marshall back on duty for his NPC team and brings a wealth of composure to the team, which is all bad news for a BOP team which is hoping to use a wave of local support to unsettle its star studded opposition. If Senio plays the competition will be a little more even, if Tipuna plays look for Marshall to use sniping runs around the fringes to draw in the BOP loosies before freeing up the Cantab backs. Marshalls true worth in this game will be in the calming influence he will have on the team..... bastard.
CANTERBURY

8 Tupai vs. Broomhall
Battle of the journeyman grafters, one has got all the credit he deserves, the other has been overhyped and even earned an All Black jersey based solely on his province he hails from... and for the denser amongst you (Dirty Scumbag Waikato supporters) Tupai has never been an All Black. Tupai will never be any more than a hard working NPC player..... he has a similar level of ability to Broomhall.
DRAW

7 Leo'o vs. Latu
Ex BOP player Leo'o is the fiddle second from the end in the Cantabs pecking order, he doesnt seem to get sick of being second fiddle, and plays well every chance he gets. But you have to wonder about someone who so meekly accepts being McCaws servant... have some pride man! Latu plays like the bastard child of a Japanese Kamikaze Pilot and Queen Boudica (again for dense Dirty Scumbag Waikato supporters... Queen Boudica was the crazy tribal leader of the ancient british tribes who used to wipe her enemies blood all over her body before using a really big sword to hack and maim the roman legions....nice).
DRAW

6 Ormond vs. " "
Ormond has been in great form all year and will look to really compete with his more (in)famous opposite. " " has played this year too, but I have not seen him.... has anyone else?
DRAW (due to insufficient data on " ")

5 Sorenson vs. "New Guy"
I dont know much about New Guy (brother of TV celeb That Guy) playing lock for the cantabs, except that he hails from swamp fox region (Thames valley for the dense Dirty Scumbag Waikato supporters). Sorenson has played well and this should be an even struggle, however Sorenson has a bit more experience.... and I know his name.
BOP

4 Upton vs. Thorn
Thorn is all ready to say 'toodle pip' to the black and reds, before heading back to Brisbane to play dumb mans rugby. Thorn has advantage of size, tackling and ball running ability. Upton has far superior lineout ability. Thorns lineout ability is about as well developed as the Waikato Times sense of humour , so expect him to stick to terra firma all game.
CANTERBURY

The front row.
What I know about front row play is about as extensive as Ian 'Ferret' Fosters ability to pick a team on ability instead of who lives just down the road and cooks him nice muffins.
I suppose this will be a...
DRAW.

And for the bay fans out there who feel depressed at this report.. I have a joke for you.... Linklater, Couch and Maisey in the 2004 Chiefs.....