Rugby: Whaka fans set for big final

Whaka celebrate winning the semi.

Around 100 loyal Whaka supporters will travel to Tauranga in the hope of seeing their team win the Baywide club rugby trophy for the first time in eight years.

The 'Red and Blacks' take on Mount Maunganui at Tauranga Domain this afternoon in their first Baywide final since 2011.

The Whakarewarewa side were last crowned champions in 2006.

Controversy has raged on social media in the lead-up this week over Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's points system to decide the venue, with many Whaka fans angry the match isn't being played in Rotorua. Whaka finished the regular season higher than Mount Maunganui.

Club secretary Renee Raimona said she expected around 100 loud and vocal Whaka supporters to make the trek to Tauranga. They won't be hard to miss.

Vans and car loads of supporters will be adorned in the distinctive red and black colours, she said.

"This is as big as it gets for our club so we will get a good turnout.

"Everyone has been behind the team throughout the season and I expect it to be bigger for the finals."

Regardless of the result - Whaka are narrow favourites to take the title after defeating the Mounties in their last clash - Whaka's Puarenga Park clubrooms will be brimming with supporters, she said.

"There will definitely be a celebration whatever the outcome."

Whakarewarewa rugby president Quintin Edmonds, who admitted he was more comfortable operating from the back and "peeling spuds for the aftermatch", won't be drawn into the melee.

"We've been down this road before in semifinals and finals," he said.

"It doesn't change - to me the focus must be on the game, not the rubbish which has been flying around about the venue this week.

"We don't want to be squabbling about where we are playing."

He has pulled the team coaches and management in this week and given them clear directions.

"Whaka are Whaka - that's what it comes down to," he said. "Finals don't come around often that's why the focus has to be on the game."