I'm not suggesting for one moment that Manawatu are good things but the form around Wellington is staggeringly bad. Beaten by Waikato who have since been thumped by Canterbury (fair enough) and Taranaki. Belted 35-5 by Northland who Manawatu beat and who have tonight been smashed by Canterbury (again fair enough).
Manawatu got the win against Northland but then copped a hiding from Auckland 35-7. Wellington have got Perenara and Thrush back for this one but they'd have to be Batman and Robin to turn the form around.
I'm tempted to have a dabble at the $5 on offer Manawatu H2H