Rugby: Rotoiti eye winning run for semis berth

t is a simple equation for Rotoiti coach Kevin Lee - play three and win three.

Only three rounds remain until the semifinals of the Baywide premier rugby competition, with Rotoiti still in with a chance of making the playoffs.

"If we want to make the top four we have to win all three games," Lee said.

Rotoiti have three tough tests ahead of them to achieve the feat, the first against a resurgent Rangataua outfit.

Rangataua sit near the bottom of the table but have won their last two matches, scoring more than 30 points in both.

"[Rangataua] beat Te Puna by 30 and we lost to Te Puna, I guess that makes them favourites," Lee said.

However, despite the 32-27 loss to Te Puna last weekend, Rotoiti will still be confident in their ability after winning five straight games last month.

Rotoiti, who went all the way to the grand final last year, will be led by Bay of Plenty Steamers players Joe Royal and Willie Ripia when the match kicks off at 2.45pm tomorrow at Emery Park.

Meanwhile, injured lock and former Bay of Plenty Steamers captain Wayne Ormond will sit the game out for Rotoiti.

Rangataua coach Paul Pou said his side's late resurgence was a "pleasant surprise" and they only needed one more win to guarantee safety.

"Win this one and we are safe - we don't want to have to beat Paroa next week to ensure we stay up," he said. "We're up for a fight, we're not going to take this one easily."

One of Rangataua's biggest weapons will be their high-flying winger Ross Taupaurima, who has scored back-to-back hat-tricks leading into this match.

In Rotoiti's last two matches this season they will face off against league leaders Tauranga Sports and bottom-of-the-table Paroa.

In other games, Whakarewarewa travel to Greerton Marist, Paroa host Mt Maunganui, Opotiki host Te Puke and Tauranga host Te Puna.

A decision will be made tonight in Tauranga about possible disciplinary action against Te Puke player Simon Chisholm, who was alleged to have caused facial injuries to Rotoiti player Joe Royal during a match last month.

Details

• 
  Points table: Tauranga Sports 71, Te Puke Sports 49, Greerton Marist 40, Mount Maunganui 39, Opotiki 39, Te Puna 39, Rotoiti 35, Whakarewarewa 27, Rangataua 23, Paroa 13.

• 
  Division One (all games start at 2.30pm): Kahukura v Ngongotaha (Kuirau Park), Marist St Michael's v Te Teko (Marist Park), Poroporo v Rangiuru (Poroporo Park), Ruatoki v Katikati (Tuhoe Park), Whakatane Marist v Waikite (Rugby Park).