Rugby: Whaka aim to put W next to name

Whakarewarewa will host Mount Maunganui for a spot in the Baywide semifinals. Above is Whaka player Doug Edwards. Photo / Ben Fraser

It is a simple equation - win and Whakarewarewa are through to the Baywide semifinals.

In fact, the equation could easily be complicated, if you consider home semifinal spots and other results.

But Whaka coach Ngarimu Simpkins will only worry about what his team can control tomorrow, when they play Mount Maunganui in Rotorua.

"The first thing is we want the four points. We want the W next to our name," he said. "If we win, we are in the semis, so it is a good position to be in."

He said it would be great to land a home semifinal but that was dependent on other results. They would just focus on Mount Maunganui.

"Obviously the Mount has been up the top all season so they are a team we will give a lot of respect to, but we are really excited about the occasion and pleased that it is in our hands."

Heading into the final round of the Baywide premier season, only Te Puke have cemented their place in the semifinals. Of the four other teams still in contention, Greerton are most likely to miss out as they sit in fifth spot. If they lose this weekend, Mount Maunganui and Whaka will automatically go through to the playoffs.

However, if Greerton win, it will put extra significance on the Whaka versus Mount Maunganui game.

Simpkins said he was confident in his side, who had all their players available tomorrow. He said they were hoping for a big crowd down at Puarenga Park.

Baywide premier standings: Te Puke 63, Tauranga 60, Mount 60, Whakarewarewa 59, Greerton Marist 56, Rotoiti 33, Te Puna 29, Rangataua 26, Opotiki 26, Rangiuru 14.