Rugby: 'Do or die' for Rotoiti in final game

Rotoiti need to win this weekend to make the playoffs. Pictured is Rotoiti's Cory Marsters, with ball. Photo / Stephen Parker

It will be do or die for Rotoiti when they travel to Tauranga to play their final game of the regular season.

The equation is simple for Rotoiti: beat Rangataua tomorrow and make the semifinals or lose and miss out.

Rotoiti sit in fourth spot on the Baywide premier rugby ladder but are in danger of being leap-frogged by Whakarewarewa if they lose to Rangataua.

It is a big couple of days coming up for Bay of Plenty rugby fans, with the semifinalists found tomorrow in the top men's grades while the Bay of Plenty Steamers squad will be named on Sunday for the ITM Cup.

Rotoiti player Siegfried Fisiihoi, who is in the running to make the Steamers, said it was a huge match for Rotoiti this weekend.

"It is a big game. It is probably the biggest game of the year for us. If we lose we are out, so it is do or die," he said.

Rotoiti will be without vice-captain and hooker Joe Royal for the match against Rangataua, as he is on tour with the Maori All Blacks.

"It is quite a big loss because he has been a big part of the squad this year. But we have another hooker who has stepped in and played well."

Their replacement hooker is Joe's cousin William Royal.

Fisiihoi said they would be looking for a big game from their forward pack tomorrow to beat Rangataua - a side currently sitting middle of the table.

"I believe our strength is our forward pack. It has been going well and kept us going forward," he said. "We will try and do the hard work and leave our backs to finish off."

While Rotoiti have the same record as Whakarewarewa (seven wins and three losses this season), Rotoiti have secured more bonus points this year, putting them higher up the table.

Whakarewarewa will visit bottom-of-the-ladder Waikite at Bellvue Rd tomorrow in a local derby. There will no doubt be plenty of Whaka faithful with their phones out on the sidelines, tracking the scoreline between Rotoiti and Rangataua.

Te Puke, Tauranga Sports and Mount Maunganui have already secured themselves places in the playoffs.

Third-placed Mount and second-placed Tauranga will clash this weekend in a big match.

Baywide rugby draw (round 11):
•Premier (2.45pm): Greerton Marist v Opotiki, Greerton Park; Paroa v Te Puna, Lawson Park; Rangataua v Rotoiti, Te Ariki Park; Tauranga Sports v Mount Maunganui, Tauranga Domain; Waikite v Whakarewarewa, Bellvue Road; Whakatane Marist v Te Puke Sports, Rugby Park.
•Development grade kicks off at 1pm.
•Division One (2.45pm): Galatea v Arataki, Galatea Domain; Judea v Reporoa, Maharaia Winiata Park; Ngongotaha v Marist St Michael's, Ngongotaha Domain; Poroporo v Katikati, Poroporo Park; Rangiuru v Kahukura, Centennial Park; Ruatoki v Te Teko, Tuhoe Park.

Premier ladder (one round remaining):
Te Puke 47, Tauranga Sports 45, Mount Maunganui 40, Rotoiti 37, Whakarewarewa 34, Te Puna 22, Rangataua 22, Greerton Marist 21, Whakatane Marist 17, Opotiki 14, Paroa 5, Waikite 0.