The Pikiao Warriors lived up to their name, winning an intense battle against Mangakino 26-12 to book their place in the final.
A huge crowd showed up to watch the semi-final at Puketawhero Park on Saturday and they were not disappointed as two very physical sides went toe-to-toe for 80 minutes.
Mangakino had the best of territory and field position during the first 10 minutes but were held up over the line twice as the Pikiao defence held strong.
Pikiao then worked their way down the other end of the field, on the back of consecutive penalties, and scored the first try of the game. After a rumbling run up the middle by Rikihana Te Rangi they shifted the ball right and winger Hare Te Rangi strolled over to score.
Mangakino put themselves under pressure with their own ill-discipline but Pikiao failed to take advantage.
After 25 minutes Mangakino were on the board. They worked their way up field and after a hit-up on the left shifted the ball right where centre Steve Namana slipped out of a tackle and dived over the try line.
Both sides had opportunities to take the lead but couldn't capitalise on them and the score was tied 6-all at halftime.
Pikiao had a perfect start to the second half as, again, Mangakino gave away penalties to help them out of their own end.
Image 1 of 8: Pikiao players celebrate. Photo/Ben Fraser
They took a tap 10m out and prop Dayharn Haimona used his size to crash over next to the posts and give his side the lead.
Pikiao extended their lead to 16-6 shortly afterwards as centre Cameron Walters produced an offload that led to fullback Quentin Ryan going over untouched in the corner.
For the next 20 minutes it was all Mangakino as they piled pressure on in search of a comeback, but the men in black and white erected the great wall of Pikiao on their own try line and made a host of try-saving tackles.
You just can't beat a haka! Mangakino and Pikiao face off in a display of mutual respect after their semi final today. Pikiao won 26-12 to secure a home final against either Otumoetai or Pacific next weekend. Catch the full report at www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz tomorrow morning.
Posted by Rotorua Daily Post on Friday, 4 August 2017
With 10 minutes to go Pikiao forward Rikihana Te Rangi was sin binned for a high tackle. Mangakino hooker Jai Withers scored off the resulting penalty and it was game on at 16-12 to Pikiao.
There was plenty of nail biting in the crowd and on the benches as both sides pushed hard for a victory.
With four minutes left on the clock Pikiao hooker Darcy Hunt, who was outstanding all afternoon, sealed the win for his side when he dived over to score, making the score 22-12.
Ozzy Tuwhangai put the icing on the cake when he dived over in the corner to make it a 26-12 win to Pikiao, who will now begin preparations for a home final against Pacific on Saturday.
The afternoon was capped off with a great piece of theatre as the two teams broke into spontaneous hakas as a sign of mutual respect to each other and the battle they had just participated in.
Pikiao coach Jason Parata said the game was a nervous watch from the sideline.
"I was probably most nervous when we were up 16-12 and down to 12 men, but I'm really proud of the boys, they dug in for that 10 minutes.
"Our defence was awesome, I think we were lucky they tried to out-muscle us rather than move the ball around," Parata said.
He said it was the vocal home crowd who helped get Pikiao across the line.
"That's the best support I've seen at Puketawhero for years. It was pretty cool to look at that hill and feel the support.
"Mangakino pushed us right to the wire - we had a lot of respect for them before the game and just as much afterwards. They should be proud of their efforts this year," he said.
In the other semi-final Pacific beat Otumoetai 30-20.