Coaches kōrero: Farah Palmer Cup Week 6

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We caught up with head coach Glenn Moore in Week 1, and we catch up with him again, with the finals just around the corner.

Moore and his coaching team have got their work cut out for them when it comes to selecting their squads for the upcoming fixtures in November. The Probables v Possibles match will take place on November 7, followed by two matches between the Black Ferns and New Zealand Barbarians side.

The quality of players across the Farah Palmer Cup competition has certainly caused some selection headaches, but Moore has been happy with the progress that’s been made since round one.

“I think we’ve seen Black Ferns players who have been in the set up the last couple of years are really stepping up now. We are also seeing some of the Sevens players that have been out of 15s for a long, long time making real progress with continuity of games.”

This weekend’s matches only involve the North Pool, with the Auckland Storm and South Pool teams having a bye. Next week is the final full round before the playoffs. Moore’s made his predictions for the semi-finals.

“It would be pretty hard to see it not being Canterbury and Manawatu in the South pool. There would have to be some things go wrong there and then in the North pool, that’s just so open. There are so many different things that could happen there. I think Northland have been impressive in parts and pushed Auckland very close. It’s going to be really interesting in the northern pool.

“Waikato have been in good form and I have been impressed with them. I thought earlier in the year they would be real contenders, so for them it’s just going to be a matter of holding it all together and then being able to peak if they do get through.”

Young up and coming players like Manawatu’s Carys Dallinger and Kaipo Olsen-Baker, as well as Counties’ Lisa Molia and Canterbury’s Grace Steinmetz have had impressive campaigns so far, and the depth in some positions is exciting for Moore and his assistants, Wesley Clarke and John Haggart.

“It’s something that we really need as we look ahead to next year. There are a lot of young players that have really come on and being able to play a trial match that may include some of them and some seasoned campaigners is exciting. But it’s all about progressing towards what we need to do to get the job done next year.

“It’s going to be a big challenge given the Covid-19 restraints that we are operating under so it’s going to be an important three or four weeks.”

WEEK 6 FIXTURES

North Harbour Hibiscus v Waikato

Saturday 10 October

11.35am, North Harbour Stadium

Downer Referee: Brittany Andrew

Assistants: James Wheaton & Cass Rea

LIVE ON SKY SPORT

Counties Manukau Heat v Bay of Plenty Volcanix

Saturday 10 October

2.35pm, Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

Downer Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr

Assistants: TBC

LIVE STREAMED ON COUNTIES MANUKAU RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE

Northland Kauri v Taranaki Whio

Sunday 11 October

10.45am, Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

Downer Referee: Larissa Collingwood

Assistants: Jaco Cronje & Marcus Tomlinson

LIVE ON SKY SPORT

BYE: Auckland Storm & South Pool teams