Rugby: Sivivatu drawcard for semifinal shuffle

Sitiveni Sivivatu is expected to get some game time off the bench for Waikato on Friday. Photo / Getty Images

Of all the All Blacks that won't be boarding the plane for Hong Kong late Saturday, Sitiveni Sivivatu understandably has the most to play for as the national provincial rugby competition's semifinal line-up is settled.

While it will be interesting to gauge how the likes of Aaron Cruden, Colin Slade and Victor Vito respond after being disappointed by the national selectors, all eyes will be on the 43-test wing when he comes off the bench in Hamilton tomorrow night for the first of four games that will have a huge bearing on the make-up of the top four.

Sivivatu's return from shoulder surgery for his first competitive outing for six months provides an interesting backdrop to a round 13 clash with leaders Canterbury, the only team so far assured of contesting the semifinals.

The Fijian-born finisher has been named in the 30-strong All Blacks squad for the Bledisloe Cup and Grand Slam tour but must get through a match Waikato needs to win to feature in the post-season.

Rare success over Canterbury - Waikato have prevailed only once in six years - also provides Sivivatu with more game time in a semifinal before he joins the All Blacks in London ahead of the England test at Twickenham on November 7 (NZT).

Sivivatu's return to the Waikato backline partially compensates for the loss of Mils Muliaina and Stephen Donald, a contentious choice as Daniel Carter's understudy for the five-test tour.

Cruden and Slade were squeezed out by the 19-test five-eighth but with uncertainty surrounding the state of Carter's ankle, one of the two may yet be required as a stop-gap in Hong Kong next Saturday.

Slade starts for a weakened Canterbury, who only need a bonus point to secure a potential home final, while Cruden has the added incentive of helping Manawatu avoid the wooden spoon when visiting bottom-placed Otago at Carisbrook on Saturday.

Waikato started the round in second spot but a heavy loss at home could see them plummet to sixth depending on how other games pan out.

Auckland are favourites to advance given their last round assignment is against out of contention Tasman at Eden Park on Sunday, but the task is not as straightforward for Wellington or Taranaki.

Written off a month ago, last year's beaten finalists Wellington appear to be timing their run nicely - and a trip to Invercargill does not seem as daunting as, say, a month ago.

Southland's three-match losing streak - which included conceding the Ranfurly Shield to Canterbury - has neutered the Stags to such an extent that a win on Saturday night does not necessarily prolong a memorable season.

Wellington jumped to fourth after thrashing Taranaki last weekend and could finish as high as second if Waikato and Auckland both lose.

They are also depleted by the loss through injury of Piri Weepu plus the selection of five backs in the All Blacks squad.

One of the pack to miss the cut was Vito, who at least appeared to be in the right frame of mind following his setback.

"I'm glad I've got a game to focus on this weekend, to take out some frustration," the loose forward said.

"I've got some good mates here that have been through the same thing and have given me a few words to help keep me up."

Taranaki's 15-49 defeat to Wellington means they have to create history at North Harbour in Saturday's early game - though a maximum points haul in Albany does not guarantee survival if Waikato or Wellington are victorious.

On the coaching front, former Queensland mentor Phil Mooney's life expectancy in Otago also appears vulnerable with a year remaining on his contract.

In an ominous sign Otago Rugby Football Union chairman Wayne Graham this week declined to back Mooney ahead of the commencement of a wide-ranging season review.

The regular season ends in Pukekohe when Counties-Manukau host Hawke's Bay, two teams destined for the second-tier championship next season.

- NZPA