League: Stars back for Rotorua derby

Pikiao stalwart Te Kaiaotea "Bully" Tahuriorangi, right, returns from injury this weekend for the match against Ngongotaha. Photo / Stephen Parker

Pikiao will welcome back two of their best players for the Rotorua derby match against Ngongotaha.

Pikiao coach Garrum Davis said experienced players Te Kaiaotea "Bully" Tahuriorangi and Raureti Grace would come back into the side tomorrow, during their important fixture against Ngongotaha at Puketawhero Park.

Pikiao are in fourth spot on the premier ladder but Mangakino and Ngongotaha are not far behind them in the Bay of Plenty Coastline premier competition.

With only five rounds left before the playoffs, Davis said they wanted to secure their place in the top four.

"I think this game is really important, we need to win and start securing our place in the playoffs.

"The main goal is the top four, we are there at the moment but we are not secure, so this game is a big one for us, especially playing against Ngongotaha. They have been our arch-rivals for a long time."

Ngongotaha are bottom of the ladder, with only one win from 10 starts this season. "They are actually a lot better than what the table says," Davis said. "I think they are, like us, in a re-building stage this year."

After losing last weekend to Taupo (16-4), Pikiao will welcome back star players Grace and Tahuriorangi.

Grace captained Ngongotaha last season before switching to Pikiao and he also plays for the WaiCoa Bay Stallions. Meanwhile, Tahuriorangi starred for Pikiao last year when they won the Bay of Plenty District premier title.

Pikiao have not enjoyed a great season so far, with a record of three wins, six losses and one draw.

Davis said, despite a big turnover in players this year compared with last season, they were not giving up on their title hopes.

"As a coaching staff our goal is the top four and after that we will just take a game at a time."

Davis has been a manager with the Pikiao premier side since 2013, but stepped into the head coaching role earlier this year after former coach Thomas Wharerau was suspended.

Premier table: Pacific 18, Taupo 14, Otumoetai 12, Pikiao 7, Mangakino 6, Ngongotaha 3.

Draw for tomorrow (round 11):

Premier (2.30pm):

Taupo v Otumoetai, Hickling Park;

Pacific v Mangakino, Memorial Park; Pikiao v Ngongotaha,

Puketawhero Park.

Reserve grade (12.45pm):

Taupo v Otumoetai, Hickling

Park; Pacific v Reporoa, Memorial Park; Pikiao v Central,

Puketawhero Park.

Division One (1pm):

Putaruru v Tauhara, Glenshea Park;

Papamoa v Forestland, Gordon Spratt Reserve; Putauaki v

Whakatane/Taneatua, Tarawera Park.