NZRL Media Release - Final Spots Down to the Wire   12 Oct 2014

NZRL

NZRL Final Spots Down to the Wire

Counties Manukau have kept their Pirtek NZRL National Championship hopes intact, after successfully appealing a charge of playing an ineligible player last month.

The Stingrays currently lead a three-way battle with Akarana Falcons and Canterbury Bulls for the two spots in next week's final.

The rivals are locked together with four wins and a loss each atop the competition table, with the Bulls lagging behind in a points-difference countback.

But Counties have had to survive a protest that could have cost them two competition points, after they incorrectly fielded a player in their win over Canterbury two weeks ago.

The penalty would have dropped the Stingrays from first to third on the ladder and struggling to make up lost ground in this weekend's final round.

But an independent panel, headed by former High Court judge Trevor Maxwell, has found that Counties Manukau were not trying to break any rules and reasonably thought the registration had been completed.

Maxwell will deliver his written decision on Monday, but the incident has identified a shortcoming in the transfer process between the Vodafone Warriors, Auckland Rugby League and New Zealand Rugby League that will need addressing.

The result means traditional rivals Counties and Akarana and Counties look destined to meet in the final for the fourth time in five years, barring upsets over the next two days.

The Stingrays enjoy a healthy countback advantage with their +180 points difference, but the Bulls face a massive challenge to get back into the top two and snatch a spot in the title game, scheduled for October 18 at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.

All three frontrunners face lower-ranked rivals this weekend. Counties host Wellington Orcas (1-4) on Sunday and should have too much firepower for their guests.

Akarana face a tricky road trip to New Plymouth tomorrow and pesky opponents in the Central Vipers (2-3), but have enough talent to win if their minds are on the job.

If both Auckland sides prevail, then Canterbury must outscore Northern Swords by 93 points, plus whatever the Falcons put on the Vipers, if they are to sneak into the final.

The southerners have not been prolific scorers this season, averaging only 30 points a game. But the winless Swords have conceded 57 points per contest and lost their last outing by 70 points (to Akarana).

On the road, with nothing but pride to play for, they could still be ripe for the picking.

ENDS

Add a comment

News

Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students

29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more

New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process

7 Mar 2020 News By Rt HON WINSTON PETERS
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more

Business

NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19

17 Mar 2020 Business News By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more

NZ Government announces aviation relief package

19 Mar 2020 Business News By Hon Phil Twyford
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more

Living

Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London

6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall. It was the first... more

Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate

12 Jan 2022 Arts By Charlotte Everett
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...  New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more

Property

Fairer rules for tenants and landlords

17 Nov 2019 Property By Minister Kris Faafoi
17 NOVEMBER 2019 The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more

New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax

17 Apr 2019 Property By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more

Migration

Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued

19 Nov 2019 Migration By Hon Iain Lees-Galloway
19 NOVEMBER 2019 We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more

Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location

18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018 HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more

Travel

Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled

19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more

New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas

19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas more

Sport

The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners

27 Oct 2019 Cricket By Charlotte Everett
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more

PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final

26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more

Columns

Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade

11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade First published on Werewolf The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more

Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome

10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell   Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more

Kiwi Success

Congratulations to Loder Cup winner

26 Sep 2018 People By Hon Eugenie Sage
25 SEPTEMBER 2018 The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more

Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO

16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO HON JENNY SALESA Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more

Recruitment

Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers

14 Aug 2018 Recruitment By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers RT HON JACINDA ARDERN HON CHRIS HIPKINS Prime Minister The... more

Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers

22 Aug 2018 Recruitment By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers RT HON JACINDA ARDERN HON CHRIS HIPKINS Prime Minister The... more