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It’s the final week of the Mitre 10 Cup season and it’s all over bar the shouting as far as the playoffs and relegation are concerned. All that is left to decide are the final playoff seedings and, of course, the Ranfurly Shield. That will be on on the line in Hamilton on Saturday.
This week got underway on Wednesday when Auckland traveled to Invercargill to face the Southland Stags, the first of two games for both teams. The visitors took the spoils and by a wide margin as Tony Lamborn‘s side were outclassed by one of the Premier division’s top teams. Lamborn captained the side from the blindside flank while Nico Costa started at scrumhalf.
Starring for Auckland was Mike Sosene-Feagai. The former and possibly future Eagles hooker scored two tries in an excellent all-around performance. Evan Olmstead came on at halftime and is set to start on Sunday in the home derby against North Harbour. Lamborn will switch to No8 against Manawatu with Costa continuing as starting halfback.
Tyler Ardron will again lead out Bay of Plenty wearing No6 for their home match against Northland on Saturday. Making his Taniwha and Mitre 10 Cup debut will be another Canadian international in Lucas Albornoz. The Prairie Wolf Pack export has been a standout for club side Waipu and Northland ‘B’, earning selection as lock or blindside cover on the bench.
The Ranfurly Shield match at FMG will see the holders Waikato risking the goods against Otago. Canadian lock Josh Larsen will be on the bench for the challengers.
