Rugby: Whaka keen for underdog status

Whaka will play in their first semifinal tomorrow since 2011. Pictured is Whaka player Kimo Haultham. Photo/Ben Fraser

Whakarewarewa coach Ngarimu Simpkins has labelled his team as underdogs ahead of their Baywide semifinal clash with Tauranga Sports.

Simpkins, who used to captain the Rotorua club, has helped guide his team to the play-offs this year in the tough Baywide premier competition.

Whaka finished third in the regular season and boasted the best offence in the competition, scoring 597 points across 18 games.

Despite those statistics, Whaka are still to beat Tauranga this season.

"We'll be going in as the underdogs. We'll be chucking in the kitchen sink this match," Simpkins said.

"There is a real buzz here in Rotorua and definitely at the Whaka club rooms."

Whaka will hit the road tomorrow to play at Tauranga Domain in their first semifinal since 2011. The game starts at 2.45pm.

Tauranga coach Mike Rogers said they were not viewing Whaka as underdogs.

"Both of our games this season against Whaka, although we came out on top, have been close and I think they're a really good opposition.

"They deserve their spot in finishing third in the end which is a pretty big improvement on where they've been in the last couple of years.

"We are not taking them lightly and based on the fact that Whaka put 67 points on Te Puke I guess maybe we're the underdogs."

The other semifinal will be played between Te Puke and Mount Maunganui tomorrow.