28 March 2023

The National 20s Ruben Wiki Cup culminates this weekend at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe as the South Island Scorpions will meet the Counties Manukau Stingrays.

South Island enter the contest as the only team unbeaten in the competition which included a tough victory over their finals competitors Counties Manukau along the way winning 38-24.

South Island have looked dominant in every game that they have played, where they have looked sharped in defense creating defensive pressure to force errors whilst also dominating possession against their opponents.

Big performances from the Scorpions key players such as Caleb Murphy and Jaedon Wellington will be crucial if South Island want to lift their first National 20’s Ruben Wiki Cup.

Road to the final

South Island Scorpions 46 vs Waikato Mana 8

South Island Scorpions 58 vs Wellington Orcas 6

South Island Scorpions 38 vs Counties Manukau Stingrays 24

South Island Scorpions 0 vs Waikato Mana (Defaulted)

However, although South Island have had a successful road to the finals. Do not count the Counties Manukau Stingrays out in any way. Off the back of an upset victory last week over the Akarana Falcons in the semi-finals, Counties will look to continue to build momentum heading into the finals.

In their previous showdown against the South Island Scorpions, Counties had South Island scrambling at one point as they were leading in front only to let the game slip away in the final fifteen minutes of the game.

An 80 minute effort will be needed if Counties Manukau are to come out victorious over their finals opponents. Huge efforts from key players such as Malachi Tony and Anthony Naitoko is crucial in order for Counties to pull of the big upset against South Island.

Road to the Final

Counties Manukau Stingrays 38 vs Wellington Orcas 4

Counties Manukau Stingrays 54 vs Bay of Plenty 26

Counties Manukau Stingrays 24 vs South Island Scorpions 38

Counties Manukau Stingrays 28 vs Akarana Falcons 22