Rugby: Taniwha just might sneak in a home semifinal

Northland player Jack Ram carries the ball up. Photo / John Stone

Six weeks ago some Northlanders would have scoffed at the Taniwha goal of making the semifinals of the ITM Cup's Championship division.

Now, Northland have the chance of not only making the semis but also securing home advantage.

With three rounds remaining, Northland need to win their next two games to at least secure a semifinal spot - or at very least win one and pick up bonus points from the others. While hosting a semi is the outsider, it is still a possibility.

For Toll Stadium to be required, Northland would need Hawke's Bay to lose the Ranfurly Shield to Wellington next week, with the Taniwha winning all their remaining games.

Coupled with a Wellington win, Northland would need Manawatu to trip up against Waikato this week and against Hawke's Bay the following week.

Northland arguably have the best run into the play-offs, facing Bay of Plenty tomorrow before hosting North Harbour and then travelling to play Auckland - who haven't looked as threatening as usual this season.

Chomping at the Taniwhas' heels are Otago and Southland, who - on paper - have a tougher business end to their seasons.

Otago face a rampaging Tasman outfit this week before playing Bay of Plenty and then finishing their season against Manawatu.

Helping Northland's belief will be the patchy form Otago have shown this year, meaning none of their remaining games will be straightforward. Southland, on the other hand, face two Premiership teams in the form of Canterbury and Counties Manukau before a Ranfurly Shield clash against Hawke's Bay. An even wider outside shot sees Bay of Plenty and North Harbour with a chance of making the semis.