The home team go into the game at Uawa Domain as enormous favourites: while Hicks Bay beat them 36-34 at Wharekahika in the first round, the hosts — who beat Ruatoria City 75-15 in their season opener, avenged the shock loss at Wharekahika 24-5 on June 22 and have an 11-12 win-loss record — are coming off a nine-try, 59-5 away win v Tokomaru Bay United at the end of the second round.
Blindside flanker Fale Toleafoa scored four tries in Uawa’s 54-point win at Hatea-a-Rangi. He is a burly, powerful player capable of making destructive tackles and carries. In the backs, Jordan Birch runs equally hard at centre or on the wing.
The Uawa forward pack is the biggest in Coast rugby: Hicks Bay must counter that.
And they have men up to the task.
No.8 Anton King has been a strong performer this season. He can break the defensive line and make good ground.
Co-captains Frank Taiapa and Sean Murtagh (No.8 and fullback respectively) scored a try each in Hicks Bay’s first outing this year, and have supplied both skill and passion in loads this season, as have coaches Aaron King and Tyrone Delamere.
The second round has been tough going for Hicks Bay but that takes nothing away from their effort this season.
First-five Leyth Delamere is an excellent goal-kicker with a big boot. It is difficult to see the game tomorrow being decided by goals alone but, the longer Hicks Bay can hold Uawa at bay and keep the score low, the better their chances.
Hicks Bay have showed courage in both of their encounters with the defending champions and were good enough to beat Tokararangi 35-15 at Te Araroa and Hikurangi 29-24 in Week 6.
Third-placed Hikurangi have a semi-final date with Tihirau Victory Club at Te Kura Mana Maori o Whangaparaoa.
This is club rugby’s version of unfinished business.
On May 3, Hikurangi drew 12-all with TVC at Cape Runaway; on June 29, it was 7-all at Hikurangi’s stronghold, Kahuitara. The tightness of these games makes this semi-final rematch a mouthwatering prospect.
In the first meeting, Hikurangi right wing Zyon Collins and halfback Neihana Ratahi-Brown scored for “The Maunga”, while for TVC the try-scorers were openside flanker Kuhu Haweti and centre Ron-Paul McRoberts. Second-five Peti Delamere converted Haweti’s try for 7-5: TVC led 12-5 at the break. Hikurangi fullback Fabyan Kahaki’s conversion tied the scores at 12-12.
At Kahuitara, Hikurangi fullback David Manuel scored and first-five Corey Walker converted his grand effort for 7-0 at half time; in the second half, TVC loosehead prop Hirini Delamere — normally a second-row forward — got across the line and centre Peti Delamere converted. A lot of exciting rugby can be packed into a 7-all draw — and there was. As there had been, in round one.
TVC captain second-five Moana Mato, whose team lifted the Rangiora Keelan Memorial Shield as champions in 2017, is keyed up.
“We’ve drawn the last two matches with Hikurangi and relish the opportunity to get the win over them this weekend,” he said.
“I’ve told the boys that if we want to be here next week training, we need to flick the switch when first whistle blows on Saturday. The boys are calm, relaxed, but ready for the challenge.”
Hikurangi coach Doone Harrison and his men are of one mind also:
“The draws tell you it’s an even match-up this year — there’s not much between the teams. But now, it’s knock-out rugby. Anything can happen.”
The referees for tomorrow’s semi-finals, both kicking off at 2.30pm, are Matt Richards (Uawa (1) v Hicks Bay (4) at Uawa Domain in Tolaga Bay) and Chris Wanoa (Tihirau Victory Club (2) v Hikurangi (3) at Te Kura Mana Maori o Whangaparaoa on Cape Runaway) are both East Coast officials.
