What is Wrong with Wellington?

Make no mistake, the Lions are in a big hole.

With 3 games left in the season, Wellington finds itself rock bottom of the ITM Cup Premiership on 2 points, 7 behind 6th place Counties Manukau who they next play at Pukekohe in what is rugby's version of a relegation six-pointer.

It is an alarming turn of form from last year when the Lions hunted down all asunder and finished top of the table to host the Final, only to lose it again to Canterbury.

Defeat to Counties will likely condemn the Lions to the Championship even if they win their last three games against Taranaki and Championship opposition, Hawkes Bay and North Harbour. Even so, while a win against North Harbour at home in their last game should be a regulation 4 points, Hawkes Bay look like Premiership material this season and with the Shield on the line at home, will be tough to beat especially for a Lions side with zero confidence, and Taranaki are in good form as well and looking to book a top 4 spot.

Perhaps, the signs were there in the off-season when the likes of key playmaker, Lima Sopoaga departed for Southland - the Lions have fielded 5 first-fives in the wake of his departure including seasoned journeymen, Riki Flutey and Willie Ripia. Then, there was Chris Boyd's appointment as head coach of the Hurricanes from 2015 - while Boyd is still head coach of Wellington, preparation for the 2015 Super Rugby season must surely be a big distraction and perhaps Boyd's usually meticulous eyes aren't on the ball this season?

Even so, there is still plenty of talent in this Wellington ITM Cup side with plenty of Super Rugby and even All Blacks experience, e.g. Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Shaun Treeby, Jason Woodward, John Schwalger, etc. Many of this side were key to Wellington's rise to the top of the ITM Cup last season too so this sudden loss of form is baffling to see.

Perhaps it is a testament to the competitiveness of all 14 ITM Cup unions that last season's frontrunners are at the back of the pack this season - look at the likes of Tasman who were just promoted last season. At the same time, Counties Manukau, one of the surprise packages last season, are struggling a bit this season.

Indeed, it is a testament to the nature of provincial rugby that perhaps it may not be surprising to see four former heavyweights of provincial rugby in the Championship next season, i.e. Otago, Southland, Manawatu and Wellington.