NZ provincial action hots up

The WPC has had a chequered history, with the competition being cancelled altogether in 2010 due to funding issues, so its return as a fully fledged tournament complete with knockout rounds has been welcomed by teams involved.First up this weekend, Wellington Pride hosts Counties Manukau Heat in Petone. Wellington were victorious two weeks' ago when the two teams met at the same venue. Both sides have been similarly successful on attack, with Wellington scoring 221 points so far in the season to the Heat's 215 so it could come down to defence, where the Pride has the edge: they've conceded 80 points from six matches compared to the Heat's 126.Both sides notched up good wins in their last round robin matches, with the Pride putting 69 points on the Bay of Plenty Volcanix, while the Heat tipped over Waikato to secure the third semifinal spot with a 23-10 win.The second semifinal is a repeat of last year's Final, which was played in New Plymouth. Auckland Storm will be determined to retain the Championship title and trophy that they have held since 2007 and to maintain their unbeaten run this season. They will be confident following their comprehensive win over the Otago Spirit in Dunedin in their final round robin encounter.Waikato meanwhile, will want to go one step further this year after topping the table for much of the season. The team will be disappointed that Auckland held them scoreless when they met in Hamilton during the round robin as well as with their loss last weekend to the Heat, which saw Waikato finish in fourth place.The WPC Final will be played as the curtain raiser to the 2.35pm ITM Cup Semifinal on Saturday 17 October.FACTS AND FIGURESWELLINGTON v COUNTIES MANUKAUSaturday 10 October, 12.30pm at Petone Recreation Ground, PetonePlayed: 3, 2013-2015 | Counties Manukau wins: 1 | Wellington wins: 2Last match: Wellington 27 Counties Manukau 12, 19.09.15 in PetoneLast Counties Manukau win: Counties Manukau 37 Wellington 23, 27.09.14 in Pukekohe (WPC)Biggest Counties Manukau score: 37 (37-23), 27.09.14 in Pukekohe (WPC)Biggest Wellington score: 42 (42-29), 05.10.13 in Petone (WPC)Biggest differential: Wellington by 15, 19.09.15 in Petone (WPC)AUCKLAND v WAIKATOSaturday 10 October, 2.30pm at Auckland University RFC, AucklandPlayed: 12, 1999-2015 | Auckland wins: 12 | Waikato wins: 0Last match: Auckland 17 Waikato 0, 19.09.15 in Hamilton (WPC)Last Waikato win: -Biggest Auckland score: 78 (78-0), 31.08.02 in Hamilton (WPC)Biggest Waikato score: 14 (14-28), 25.10.14 in New Plymouth (WPC F)Biggest winning margin: Auckland by 78, (78-0), 31.08.02 in Hamilton (WPC)

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