| The National Provincial Championship begins for the 26th time this weekend. Although the Super 12 championship seems to have taken a little of the sheen from our top sporting competition, the season still promises plenty of excitement. Spinner Sports Editor Ed Brentwood examines each of the teams and evaluates their prospect, in what again promises to be an exciting season for New Zealand Rugby. Auckland The defending champions look very good again this season. Auckland has always been a classy outfit and this season will prove no different. With Coaches Grant Fox and Wayne Pivac along with a host of current and former All Blacks (Carlos Spencer, Craig Dowd, Dylan Mika and Doug Howlett) Auckland may just have the experience and firepower to take the title again this season. Otago Jeff Wilson will be sorely missed by the Otago squad this season. His abilities, on a good day, were unparalleled. Who will ever forget his ability to chip and chase from anywhere on the field. A true rugby legend. I remember going to see him play for Pirates one miserable Saturday afternoon. I just wanted to get out of the house really; breath of fresh air and all. Anyway Wilson got three chip and chase tries one after the other in the far right corner. Amazing to watch, his talents will be sorely missed indeed. North Harbour North Harbour playing out of the splendid Albany Stadium will be a strong force this season, especially at home. Last time I was in Auckland we actually drove past the stadium on our way to some hot pools north of the city. Can't remember what the pools were called now. The wife and I took the grandkids - they bloody loved it. I'd recommend it to anyone, A good family day out. Wellington Wellington with their string of All Blacks looks like a potent attacking force. What side would not like to boast names like Lomu, Cullen, Umaga and Ieremia from their programs. Programs don't seem to be as popular as the used to be do they? I remember going to games as a schoolboy in the fifties, me, Bingo, Nobbie and Fats, we'd all buy a program. The old man would give us enough money for a pie and a program. And I kept them all as well. Kids today don't seem as interested in things like that. It's a crying bloody shame. Canterbury Some say the Cathedral in the Square is one of the finest Anglican Cathedrals in the Southern Hemisphere. I really can't, for the life of me, understand how that could be the case. If it is, it just goes to show how few Anglicans there are in places like South America. Wizard or no Wizard, when it comes down to it, the Cathedral just isn't that impressive. Southland Steven Pokeri used to play for Southland. A friend of mine wants to build a pub fifty yards south of the South Seas Hotel in Stewart Island, so he can take over it's claim as the southern most hotel in the world. Tell you what the locals would have a thing or two to say about that. The locals like things how they are on the Island. Taranaki It must be about time for that Kiri Te Kanawa to come back and do one of those free concerts in the park again. I didn't go last time, but they seem like a good night out, especially if you pack a nice picnic hamper. Good chance to get the travel rug out of the back of the Holden, maybe a couple of beers and a wine for the wife. Good entertainment indeed. Northland, Counties, Waikato You better remind me later on to pay that bill for the dentist. I nearly forgot about that; $80 for one bloody filling. I better post those letters for the wife too. What time is it? I want to get down to the TAB before the 3.30 at Trentham. Got a hot tip for number 11, Trigger Cut.  Some rugby players |
| NPC to start this weekend |
Tuesday, 01 August 2000 12:00
