Rugby League: Eels' semi chances slide

Otumoetai Eels' mountain has just gotten higher after another serious injury threatening to derail tomorrow's WaiCoa Bays premier club semifinal against top-qualifiers Hamilton City Tigers in Hamilton.
Gritty backrower-hooker Tane Leef has been playing for a month with an injured thumb. With the injury gradually worsening, Leef sought medical treatment on Monday, with x-rays confirming a fracture and Leef undergoing an operation the next day to repair the break.
Leef's untimely break added to the Brookfield New World Eels' mounting injury toll, with skipper Mikaere October still sidelined with a neck fracture and first-pick fullback Mike Johnston making a slow recovery from a heavy concussion suffered last month against Ngongotaha.
Coach Brett Rodger said Johnston wouldn't be risked for tomorrow's semifinal.
"Mike's not right and I'm not in the business of pushing guys out there who haven't recovered.
"We've played the last few weeks without Mike and Mikaere, so the guys are getting used to it."
The odds of the Eels repeating last year's title-winning success (in a competition without the Waikato teams) are getting longer every day, although a win would mean the club, formed just six years ago, had played in five grand finals in five years.
The other semifinal is between second-qualifier Ngaruawahia and Taniwharau, with Rodger expressing no preference for their opposition tomorrow.
"It's never worried us who we play; our sole aim this year has been to make that top four. We've beaten the Tigers once already this season [34-22 in Tauranga], and after the player losses we've had since last year we've had some sizeable holes to fill, especially in the forwards."
Rodger said Leef's absence would be felt tomorrow across the park.
"Tane's been great for us, especially backing up at hooker on top of the energy he brings to the game. But his injury means someone from the reserves gets a crack and the boys want to go over and give it a decent shot."
Meanwhile, six players from the Eels, including October and Johnston, have been selected for an enlarged Waicoa Bays Stallions rep squad for the upcoming national regional championship. The other Eels players in the side are Sam Graham, Josh Moore, Josh Weedon and Matt Mason, with Tauranga Whalers captain Brendon Anderson also picked.
The squad will be cut to 25 players after the club final next week.
WaiCoa Bays Stallions senior squad: Brendon Anderson (Tauranga Whalers), Simon Beale (Hamilton City Tigers), Rueben Fourie (Taniwharau), Sam Graham (Otumoetai), Anaru Grant (HCT), Marrin Haggie (Ngaruawahia), Raynard Haggie (Ngaruawahia), Brendon Irvine (Taniwharau), Michael Johnston (Otumoetai), Hayden Karena (HCT), Fa'a Leilua (HCT), Zane Milliken (Hukanui), Josh Moore (Otumoetai), Vinnie Morunga (Pacific), Mikaere October (Otumoetai), Tai Palesasa (Ngongotaha), Eli Paul (HCT), Namu Puru (HCT), Peter George Rata (HCT), Shannon Rupapere (Turangawaewae), Jordan Tairakena (Hukanui), Josh Weedon (Otumoetai), Craig Wiggins (Ngaruawahia), Steven Wiggins (Ngaruawahia), Rueben Williams (Taniwharau), Epiha Kete (Taniwharau), Matt Mason (Otumoetai), Molisi Mounga (Ngaruawahia), Sam Pritchard (HCT), Vinnie Strother (HCT), Pirikawana Taiatini (Pikiao), Mikaere Te Pania (Pikiao), Tobias Tuhakaraina (Taniwharau), Ypres Williams (Central).
Stallions under-17s: Stonie Bartle (BOP), Pryor Collier (Coastline), Matiu Henry (BOP), Connor Hohepa (BOP), Rawiri Holmes (BOP), Tawhiri Kaa-Wharehinga ( BOP), Tommy Katene (BOP), Petelo Kelemete (BOP), Brennan Keti (Waik), Axl Kingi (BOP), Tama Koopu (Waik), Ratu Kuruduadua (Waik), Paeturi Maletino (Waik), Sisa Manu (BOP), Talai Moala (Waik), Liam Pendergast (Waik), Kieron Rollenson (BOP), Ruapani Smith (Coastline), Te Toira Tahuriorangi (BOP), Jayden Tane (Coastline), Carlin Tata (Coastline), Jaylen Tupaea (BOP), Doug Unuwai (BOP), Eru Wano (BOP), Wilson Parahi (Waik).
Stallions under-15s: Ahurei Winitana (BOP), Anaru Haika (BOP), Brian Turia (BOP), Caleb Aperahama (Coastline), David Edwards (BOP), Harry Barsdell (Cooastline), Hone Tukere (Waik), Hunter Harrison (Waik), Jacob Tana (Coastline), Jimi Paul (BOP), Josh Iosefa-Scott (Waik), Kayleb Kingi-Murray (BOP), Koroheke Moana-Taniwha (Waik), Liam McNeil (Coastline), Mau Ngavaevae (BOP), Mista Tapsell (BOP), Neti Mokomoko (BOP), Papii Muru (Waik), Rennick Tupaea (BOP), Samuel Brown (BOP), Storm Rangitawa (Coastline), Te Aroha Smith-Lawson (Coastline), Te Waiata Anderson (BOP), Te Waimana Biddle (Waik), Tyrone Takau (BOP).