We preview the best matches to catch on Rugby Pass this weekend, as clubs return to domestic competition in Europe, the Four Nations gets underway in the north of England and the Mitre 10 Cup finals bring an end to the rugby season in New Zealand.
Mitre 10 Cup: Otago vs North Harbour (Friday October 28, 2:35pm HKT)
Friday’s Mitre 10 Cup Championship final could well end up being the game of the season. Otago have been one of the most entertaining sides in the competition on their way to finishing top of the division, while North Harbour come into their first final in forever off the back of an outrageous semifinal performance over Wellington. Both sides love to throw the ball around and while Harbour has the bigger game breakers in guys like Tevita Li, Otago probably has the better defense. Which one will win out on the day is anyone’s guess.
Mitre 10 Cup: Canterbury vs Tasman (Saturday October 29, 2:35pm HKT)
It is impossible to overstate Canterbury’s provincial rugby dominance: this weekend they are playing for their eighth trophy in the last nine years. They battled to a 22-7 win over Counties last weekend to set up a Premiership final against Tasman, but the Makos will not just roll over and hand Canterbury the trophy. The lads from the top of the South Island are unbeaten in their last seven games, and have scored an average of 37 points per game in that time. Both sides know their way to the try line, so it could be a high-scoring final.
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Four Nations: England vs New Zealand (Saturday October 29, 10:30pm HKT)
The Four Nations kicks off on Saturday morning with the Kangaroos taking on competition debutants Scotland in Hull, but the weekend’s big game is Saturday night in Huddersfield where England host the Kiwis. A win here is vital to both sides chances of making the final – lose and you have to beat the Kangaroos and hope other results go your way. Fresh in everyone’s minds will be last year’s Kiwis tour of England, where the home side claimed a 2-1 series win.
Pro12: Leinster vs Connacht (Sunday October 30, 12:15am HKT)
The Irish sides have – in terms of results, at least – had a good couple of weeks in the Champions Cup. After their slow start to the season Connacht have now strung together four wins in a row with a spirited win over Toulouse and a cakewalk over Zebre in Europe. Leinster meanwhile suffered their first loss in over a month against Montpellier last weekend. They have only been defeated once in the Pro12 so far this season and will be looking to go clear at the top of the table when they host Connacht this weekend.
Aviva Premiership: Exeter vs Bath (Sunday October 30, 10:00pm HKT)
Few sides will be happier to be returning to the Aviva Premiership this week than Chiefs, who had a miserable couple of weeks in the Champions Cup. First they were crushed by Clermont at home then lost by a point courtesy of a late Ulster drop goal. Last season’s beaten finalists have been performing below par all season and are currently mired mid-table alongside the likes of Newcastle and Sale. They host a Bath side who have enjoyed a bright start to the season in an intriguing encounter this weekend at Sandy Park.