Manawatu can still make the playoffs but they simply have to win to stand any chance while Canterbury, on a four-match winning streak, will be looking to finish top.
Key Stats - Canterbury Four Wins in a Row
- Canterbury have won 4 consecutive matches.
- Canterbury have won 5 consecutive games against Manawatu.
- Manawatu have lost 3 of their last 4 home matches to Canterbury.
Canterbury Comfortably Ahead
Canterbury lead 9-2 in their last 11 matches against Manawatu in the NPC.
Manawatu Struggling
The Manawatu Turbos scored two converted tries in the first half against Auckland last weekend to lead 14-12 at half-time.
In the second half, Manawatu played well, scoring four tries and three conversions to beat Auckland 40-34 away from home.
Before that performance, the Turbos lost 40-14 to Northland away from home, edged Southland 36-35 at home and lost 29-27 to Otago at home and 59-77 to Hawke's Bay away, respectively, and then beat North Harbour 43-40 at home and Bay of Plenty 29-12 away before losing 36-27 away to Waikato.
Manawatu are ninth in the National Provincial Championship standings with 25 points after nine games.
Manawatu will be pleased to have picked up vital points in their previous fixture and must win their final match of the regular season to have a chance of making the play-offs, but they have struggled against Canterbury recently, losing five in a row.
Canterbury Looking at Top Spot
Canterbury scored three tries and a conversion in the first half against Southland last weekend to lead 17-7 at the break.
Canterbury scored an additional three tries and a conversion in the second half to register a 34-21 home victory over Southland.
Earlier in their NPC season, the Red and Blacks beat Auckland 38-31 at home, Otago 19-15 away, defeated Bay of Plenty 33-28 at home, and lost 40-26 away to Taranaki before defeating Waikato 36-14 away, Wellington 66-19 at home, and North Harbour 25-24 away.
Canterbury are second in the National Provincial Championship table with 35 points after nine matches.
Canterbury have an opportunity to finish their season first in the standings, as they have been performing well lately, winning four consecutive games and they have secured three victories in their last four meetings against Manawatu.
Team News & Starting Lineups
Manawatu Turbos
Mosese Bason, Raymond Tuputupu, Liam O'Connor, Rory Woods, Jai Tamati, and Feleti Sae-Taʻufoʻou each crossed the try line against Auckland last weekend.
Liam O'Connor landed three conversions in the match, while Drew Wild and Reece MacDonald kicked over a conversion each.
Starting XV: Malakai Hala-Ngata, Raymond Tuputupu, Flyn Yates, Robert Harley, Taine Roriri, Te Kamaka Howden (C), Mosese Bason, Brayden Iose, Doug Philipson, Liam O’Connor, John Tapueluelu, James Tofa, Kyle Brown, Taniela Filimone, Drew Wild
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Liam Pratt, Feleti Sae Ta’ufo’ou, Reuben Allen, Samuel Johnson, Jai Tamati, George Worboys, Ngani Laumape
Canterbury
Gus Brown scored a brace against Southland last weekend.
Corey Kellow, Ngane Punivai, Finlay Brewis, and Ollie Burra scored a try each against Southland.
James White and Chay Fihaki kicked over a conversion each.
Starting XV: Finlay Brewis, George Bell, Gus Brown, Tahlor Cahill, Sam Darry, Xavier Treacy, Corey Kellow, Dominic Gardiner (C), Louie Chapman, Andrew Knewstubb, Ngatungane Punivai, Jone Rova, Dallas McLeod, Kurtis Macdonald, Chay Fihaki
Replacements: Josh Findlay, Lewis Ponini, Lachie Gunson, Liam Jack, Torian Barnes, Tyson Belworthy, Macklan Robertson, James Cameron