BOI need big win to hold on to title

Kaitaia hosts what is essentially the Harding Shield final today as Whangarei takes on defending champions Bay of Islands.

Arnold Rae Park sees all the action today as matches kick off at 1pm and 2.30pm with club rugby's best players putting it all on the line as they look to earn themselves an ITM Cup call-up.

The earlier match sees Whangarei and Bay of Islands throw down, with Whangarei heavily favoured to take out the Shield even with an injurydepleted side. Bay of Islands know if they are to retain the Shield for another year they must win and win big. After round two, Bay of Islands coach Shaun Haynes said the defending champions - having lost their round one clash to Rodney/Northern Wairoa - needed to win both games, possibly by bonus-point margins, to retain the trophy for the third year running. "Whangarei want it, we don't want them to have it," Haynes said.

The later match sees Mangonui take on Rodney/Northern Wairoa.

Whangarei squad

Jordan Olsen, Troy Cullen, Alan Nesbit, Matt Wallis, Karl Furey, Chris Apoua, Joe Reuben, Peni Kitekeiaho, Mark Bennett, Roy Griffin, Reuben Wright, Ethan Crutcher, Brent Murray, Jono Lawson, Jaz Apoua, William Whetton, Ben Berridge, Beau Dickens, Mac Sykes, Scott Lewis, Ume Fosita, Tyler Lansdowne, Sione Kite, Villi Tahitua, Derek Carpenter, Star Timu, Karaitiana Vette Welsh, Saxon Samuels, Dominic Ormsby, Troy Gilbert.