Rugby: Marley and me - eyes on the goal

Marley Te Ahuru and Chanel Huddleston have won at least 14 Hawke's Bay premier women's rugby championship titles between them with Clive.
Tomorrow they have the opportunity to win one with a different club when their respective teams, Hastings Rugby and Sports and Napier Technical, clash in the final at Elwood Park. The pair were instrumental in forming the new teams which will play in the final for the first time.
"It's been a long time coming and it's been worth the wait. It's better than having a two-team competition," said Te Ahuru, who formed the Hastings side six seasons ago.
"It's been my goal to bring the girls to the final and we're here."
Te Ahuru won at least five titles with Clive.
A regular frontrower with the Hawke's Bay Tuis over the years, Te Ahuru, who co-coaches Hastings with her partner Joe Heather, has been playing halfback in recent weeks.
"Our regular halfback (Belinda Barclay) hasn't been able to make trainings so I took on the role. The combination with Shaylee (Tipiwai) at first five is working well ... particularly when it comes to our kicking options," said Te Ahuru.
The mother of four, who also coaches a Hastings Rugby and Sports fifth-grade side, is expecting a different Tech outfit to the one they beat 15-14 last week.
Experienced Tuis and Tech halfback Gemma Woods returns from suspension.
"I'm looking forward to that tussle," said Te Ahuru.
"In fact there's good match-ups all over the park and our girls know if they go well we could end up with five or six players in the Tuis."
The 48-year-old is keen to have another season in the Tuis after missing last year's side.
Huddleston, 28, is thrilled Tech, who won the first round, have also made the championship final in their second season.
The former Aotearoa Sevens representative is confident her side will gain revenge for last weekend's loss.
"Gemma will make a huge difference to us. Last weekend we went away from our structure and played into their hands," said Huddleston, who won nine titles with Clive.
There's no better indication of the Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga community health worker's confidence than her decision to play centre rather than at loose forward, where she could have a greater influence on the match.
"Our forwards are strong enough.
"There's a chance I might play in the midfield for the Tuis as it's in that position that I have a greater chance of making the Black Ferns," said Huddleston.
She pointed out last weekend's loss to Hastings came at the right time for her side.
"There will be no complacency in our camp after that game."
Clive and Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports will meet in tomorrow's playoff for third.
Tuis coach Cheryl Heremia will take in both games and announce her squad on Monday.
THE TEAMS
Hastings Rugby and Sports: Ngahuri Thompson; Natasha Greville, Nina Pineaha, Maia Wati-Cooper/Belinda Barclay; Kathryn Marshall, Shaylee Tipiwai; Marley Te Ahuru; Ditte van Vliet; Amy Pedman, Tina Munokoa, Kat Clarke, Diane Hepi; Ruth Te Tonga, Rose Kamau, Jamie Heather.
Substitutes: Petina Munokoa, Shannon Hakiwai, Wati-Cooper/Barclay, Whitley Mareikura.
Napier Technical: Michaela Baker; Kayla Clarke-Winiata, Chanel Huddleston, Renee Baarspul; Davina Winiata, Sylvia Bockman; Gemma Woods; Luana Eden; Sophie Kuper, Stacey Loye, Tiana Solomon, Terina Paku; Natalie Cotton, Cam Kingi, Rachel McKenzie.
Substitutes: Amy Shields, Kiritapu Allen, Carol Baker, Rowena Batt.