Defending “State or Origin champs New Zealand had an awful start in Melbourne last night. The team is missing some big names from last years win: Lee Nelson, Robert Wang , Martin Cardno, and Dan Sing but still hoped to defend their title. In a dramatic start to the event The Territories withdrew, unable to  scrape up a team in time. New Zealand almost suffered the same fate. Just moments before the event started NZ’s team was short a couple of players. Solution: A couple of “ring ins” from the floor, one of whom Australian sources have suggested has never been to New Zealand! A pretty embarrassing start to what turned out to be a night the Kiwis would rather forget.

So here is – was – New Zealand’s team.

Linda Bennett
Vic Thornton
Simon Watt
Graeme Putt
Kevin Clark
Jackson Zhen
Phillip Willcocks
James Honeybone

After 6 hours of play the field was whittled down  to a final table with just one Kiwi – Phillip Willcocks – Making it through. Simon Watt came close but was knocked out by fellow APPT champ Grant Levy  an hour before the close of play. The final table begins this evening with New Zealand drawing dead as Even if Willcocks wins the Kiwis wont accumulate enough points for a victory.

Final Table Points
1st – 150
2nd – 125
3rd – 110
4th – 100
5th – 90
6th – 80
7th – 70
8th – 60

Current Standings
Victoria – 260 points
South Australia – 250
New Zealand – 150
New South Wales – 140
Queensland – 140
Western Australia – 130
Tasmania – 100