Rugby: Agony, ecstasy over playoff spot

Whakarewarewa just sneaked into the playoffs on Saturday after beating Waikite in Rotorua. Pictured is Whaka player Te Rangi Fraser (with ball). Photo / Stephen Parker

It was despair for one club in Rotorua but elation for another as Whakarewarewa snatched the final semifinal spot in the Baywide premier rugby competition.

During the final round of the regular season on Saturday, Whaka leap-frogged Rotoiti on the table to claim the final playoffs spot.

Whaka beat bottom-of-the-ladder Waikite 40-0 at Bellvue Rd while Rotoiti slipped up at Te Ariki Park in Tauranga.

Rotoiti were sitting above Whaka going into their match against Rangataua on Saturday and needed to win to secure their place in the playoffs.

However, an under-strength Rotoiti side went down 28-24 to Rangataua. That news was cause for massive celebrations in the Whaka camp, but heartbreaking for Rotoiti.

"It's heartbreaking all right, especially because the boys right throughout the whole season had been pretty consistent," Rotoiti coach Dave McLean said.

Rotoiti were missing three of their big names for the match in Tauranga: Joe Royal, who is away with the Maori All Blacks, and injured backs Willie Ripia and Chanse Perham.

"There is no excuses about those three guys not here," McLean said. "I think [Rangataua] just brought it to us ... the better team won I suppose." He was still very proud of his team this year.

Meanwhile, when the celebrations cease for Whakarewarewa they will turn their attention to their next assignment this weekend.

They will play top-of-the-ladder Te Puke in the first semifinal on Saturday while Tauranga Sports host Mount Maunganui in the other.

At halftime on Saturday, things were not looking too bad for Rotoiti in their match against Rangataua. They had pushed out to a 17-11 lead at halftime following tries to Papa Wharewera and Beau Kiel.

But it was Rangataua who played the better rugby in the second half and they pulled away to a 28-17 lead. Former Whaka player John Ririnui kicked well for Rangataua to help them build the lead.

Rotoiti's last try came in the last couple of minutes of the match but it was not enough to rescue a win for the visitors.

Some consolation for Rotoiti was four of their players were selected in the Steamers ITM Cup squad yesterday: captain Zak Hohneck, hooker Royal, halfback Wharewera and prop Siegfried Fisiihoi.

Two Whaka players were also named in the Steamers in star backs Te Rangi Fraser and Whaimotu Craft-Chemis.

-Premier ladder (final standings):

Te Puke Sports 51, Tauranga Sports 49, Mount Maunganui 40, Whakarewarewa 39, Rotoiti 38, Te Puna 27, Rangataua 26, Greerton Marist 26, Whakatane Marist 17, Opotiki 14, Paroa 5, Waikite 0.