Pikiao's Meihana Herbert is tackled during a match against Otumoetai in Rotorua on Saturday. Photo / Stephen Parker
Pacific Sharks coach Paniora Daniels believes his side still haven't played their best footy this season, which is an unnerving thought for the other top teams ahead of the playoffs.
The Tokoroa heavyweights have wrapped up top spot on the ladder in the Bay of Plenty Coastline premier rugby league
competition, with one round remaining this season. They will now head into the semifinals on August 8 as clear favourites to win the title.
In the past two weeks they have flexed their muscles with big wins over Rotorua's top sides, including a 72-14 win over Ngongotaha at Memorial Park on Saturday. Yet Daniels said Pacific still had more to give. "I think we still haven't played our best yet. I mean if we can have a good, fast, hard track there is more [we can do], you have seen glimpses of it but it's about doing that for the whole 80 minutes. So that is our goal," he said.
He said wrapping up the minor premiership on Saturday was very pleasing. "That was our first goal so our next goal is to finish strong next week against Otumoetai, irrespective of what the result is, and then really focus on our semifinal."
Daniels said they had the option now of resting players this coming weekend, but they may also opt to play their best team and carry momentum into the finals. "So that is the decision, do we go and give it to Otumoetai or do we just chill a little bit and preserve ourselves for the semis? But I think momentum is the key."
