Rugby: Ace attackers should turn on show

Latiume Fosita, Hora Hora first-five, will be needed to help direct his team around the park in tomorrow's semifinal as they go in search of three wins in a row against Mid Northern.Photo/Michael Cunningham

Tomorrow's semifinal will see a repeat of last year's Bayleys Southern Districts Premier final for the third time this season, with Hora Hora looking to complete a hat-trick of wins over Mid Northern.

With the Hukerenui-based side travelling into town, Hora Hora will no doubt have a big crowd on hand to help get their team through. But, whoever wins, expect to see a doozy of a battle, with the teams ranked one and two in regard to their attacking prowess.

While pipping other teams for the fourth play-off spot, Mid Northern have the second-best attacking record of the competition, having scored 550 compared with Hora Hora's 567.

It seems, however, that defence, or holding on to the ball, has been the winning of the games with Hora Hora holding the competition's best defensive record - conceding just 287 in 18 games, an average of about 16 points a game.

Mid Northern have conceded 435 points, averaging about 24 per game.

After kicking off the season with a 31-25 win in round one, Hora Hora have had the upper hand on most teams and even widened the gap on Mid Northern when beating them 34-17 in round 10 at Hukerenui.

However, Mid Northern are not your average team. Having nailed three premier titles in six years, they know how to win when it matters.

Going by form, it's still a hard one to pick because Hora Hora have won five on the trot compared with Mid Northern's four.

In the weekend's other premier semifinal, Wellsford host Mid Western in what will be another battle of attrition.

In the teams two clashes this season, Mid Western - like Mid Northern - are yet to taste success over their southern teammates, Wellsford winning 29-27 in April and 8-7 in June.

Mid Western have been the steady-as-she-goes side this year, getting consistent wins and staying clear of the cluster of teams fighting for one play-off spot when two weeks remained in the competition.

Mid Western have already gone back-to-back, with wins in the last two weeks, while Wellsford have picked up three wins on the trot.

Meanwhile in the premier reserve semifinals, the Western Sharks host Wellsford while Mid Northern host defending champions Kamo.

In what has been a relatively competitive season, Mid Northern have the best attack and defence by far among the premier reserve teams. The northerners have scored a whopping 689 points from 18 games while conceding just 250, averaging out to a 38-14 scoreline each game.

Kamo, meanwhile, have the next-best numbers, conceding just 314 while scoring 540 points.