Rugby: Mouth-watering clash repeat of last year's final

Action from last year's Baywide Premier final between Tauranga Sports and Te Puke Sports.

A repeat of last year's intense Baywide Premier final is the highlight of round eight underway tomorrow.

Defending champions Tauranga Sports host Te Puke Sports at Tauranga Domain in what is expected to be a typically physical battle between the two rivals.

Second placed Tauranga, just a point behind Whakatane Marist, will still be sore over losing at their Domain fortress to Rotoiti. They recovered their mojo with a resounding win over Te Puna away last weekend and will start favourites against a Te Puke side taken to task last round by the fleet-footed Mount Maunganui backs.

Te Puke sit just outside the top four and will need to sort their set piece out to ensure they get enough ball to test Tauranga.

Whakatane host fourth placed Te Puna at Rugby Park after suffering their first loss of the campaign against Rotoiti. Closing down the Fijian flyers in their backline will be crucial if Te Puna are to get anything out of the game.

Te Puna coach Daniel Quate says Whakatane have played well all season and deserve to be at the top end of the table.

"They have attacking threats right across the park so it's important our defence is accurate.

"Our lineout functioned well on Saturday and our scrum remains a work in progress so we will look to keep building on that. It's important we bounce back strongly from what was a disappointing score line on Saturday."

Third placed Mount Maunganui should take care of Paroa away, Rangataua Sports host Greerton Marist at Te Ariki Park in what should be a tight tussle, while Arataki are home to Whakarewarewa.

In Division one, Papamoa are still getting used to the travel.

"I think we have a great culture, we are still finding our feet, especially having to travel away this year," coach Paul Sloane said.

"The local Western Bay of Plenty (competition) has little or no travel involved so we are finding it a little difficult to travel. Our team is based around a handful of old heads, and there is a lot of colts-aged players who are trying to come through. The heart of the side is largely represented by guys in their 30s and they are trying to bring through a bunch of guys anywhere between 17 and 22."

Round two of the women's Baywide competition begins under lights at Blake Park tonight when Tauranga Sports meet Tokoroa at 7.30pm.

Defending champions and 2016 Baywide pre-season title holders Waikite host Arataki on Sunday afternoon.

Arataki's manager and former captain Calli Turner says Waikite is definitely the form team of the competition.

"Our approach this weekend is to concentrate on our own game, concentrate on completing our sets and enjoying our rugby."