Expect tough battles in tomorrow's Northland Rugby League semis

Moerewa Tigers won last season's Northland Rugby League premiership crown over Takahiwai Warriors. Both teams are in the semifinals again tomorrow and could yet meet again in this year's final.

Last year's Northland Rugby League premiership final was an epic, with Moerewa Tigers storming to an impressive 44-30 win over 2016 premiers Takahiwai Warriors.

And a repeat of that final is still on the cards, with both teams playing in opposite Northland Rugby League premiership semifinals tomorrow.

After a tough season only three points separated the top three in the competition, with Takahiwai finishing top on 25 points, Otangarei Knights second on 24 Moerewa third on 23 and Portland Panthers completing the top four with 12 points.

Under the RNL playoff format 1st plays 2nd and 3rd plays 4th.

Tomorrow's semis are being played at Trigg Stadium, at Kensington Park, Whangārei, as Okara Park is being used for the Bayleys Northland Premier Rugby final.

In the first semi tomorrow, from 1pm Moerewa take on Portland, followed by Takahiwai v Otangarei at 2.30pm.

The winner of the Takahiwai v Otangarei match will go straight into the grand final, while the loser will then take on the winner of the Moerewa v Portland game in the major semifinal - also to be played at Trigg Stadium - next Saturday, July 28.

The winner of that match will then go into the grand final, to be played at Okara Park on August 4.

TEAMS:
Moerewa v Portland:
Moerewa:
1. Jahdon Palmer
2. Aaryn Waikaire
3. Danyon Hati
4. Herewini McGregor
5. Saia Lopeti
6. Henry Wiki
7. Wilson Hona
8. Mark Aperahama
9. Jarron Hona
21. Teejay Williams
11. Marshall Ruka
19. Issac Harris
13. Peter Prime
Reserves; 20. DJ Palmer, 15. Anania Anderson, 26. Blair Robert Sionetali, 18, Jud Davis
Portland:
1. Stilie Antonio
2. Pheonix Renata
3. Levi McQueen
4. James Kay
5. Matthew Clifford
6. Wayne Iripa
7. Kass Wall
8. Robert Nathan
9. Thomas Wihongi
10. Fabian Flavell
11. Sam Bray
12. Jermaine Rewha13. Michael Salese.
Reserves; 14. Elsion Wihongi, 15. Finlay Penitoa, 16. John Wright, 17. Joshua Poasa.

Takahiwai v Otangarei:
Takahiwai:
1. Te Hau Lemon
2. Levita Levita
3. Taine-Lee Shelford
4. Ross McFarlane
5. Nicolas Poutama
6. Kyle Hool
7. Jesse Epiha
9. Witaiawa Thompson
10. Mike Hauraki
11. Charlie Tarau
12. Deane Tuhoro
13. Joel Freeman
Reserves; 14. Nicholas Schuster, 15. Whiwhia Tarau, 16. Marley Mackay, 17. Leroy Nicholson.
Otangarei:
1. Vincent Paul
2. Bryce Rauahi
3. Dominique Ormsby
4. Jordan Katene
5. Shaquille Ormbsy
6. Sepeti Tatau
7. Vern Wilson
8. Dean Schreurs
9. Samuel Henry
10. Andrew Davison
11. Cody Takiari
12. Lance Edmonds
13. John Hetaraka
reserves; 14. Dameon Herbert, 15. Daley Johnson, 16. Shane Herbert, 17. Sonny Moke.