Ben Whitehouse has been through a lot during his ten years as a top-flight referee and international TMO.
Investec Champions Cup finalists Toulouse have named the same starting team they fielded in their semi-final win over Harlequins in early May, but they have tweaked their bench for this Saturday's final with the inclusion of Joshua Brennan in place of Mathis Castro-Ferreira.
Northland Taniwha's clash with reigning Premiership champions, the Tasman Mako, in Blenheim tonight will be the ideal springboard to test the true state of their readiness to go deep in this year's Mitre 10 Cup competition.
Northland will be bolstered by All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue in their Sunday afternoon encounter with Manawatu and the Crusader's combination with former All Black Rene Ranger will certainly keep the Turbos busy on defence.
23 men will run out for the New Zealand on Saturday to try secure the Bledisloe Cup for the 17th year in a row - but they're not the only All Blacks you'll find on show this weekend.
Alex McLeod returns to reflect on who improved and who regressed over the past fortnight of Mitre 10 Cup rugby.
Mike Rehu runs through his Mitre 10 Cup Team of the Week for Round 2.
There were some tightly-contested affairs, and some downright demolitions, so check out who ranks where in New Zealand’s premier domestic competition.
The Mitre 10 Cup is home to expansive and free-flowing rugby, with nearly eight tries scored per match last season. Few benefit more from this fast-paced and high scoring style than the outside backs.
In my opinion, there is simply nothing better than provincial rugby for a multitude of reasons. One of those reasons has become the season launch.
