Favourites reminded that game can easily be stolen

They might have swept all before them on an eight-match winning streak, but Hawkes Bay have been warned by coach Mark Shaw that the second division title is no formality.

To underline his belief, Shaw needs only to revisit the corresponding fixture last year, when his favoured Magpies were unceremoniously dumped 43-16 by Nelson Bays, who this year play East Coast in Ruatoria tomorrow.

Hawkes Bay will meet one-time Central Vikings partners Manawatu at McLean Park, also tomorrow, and are heavily favoured to proceed to the final at the same venue next weekend.

Hawkes Bay beat Manawatu 23-10 first time round and flexed their muscles for the semifinals with a chilling 63-12 thumping of third division-bound King Country last weekend.

"It was a good dress rehearsal," said an understated Shaw.

Loath to talk up his side, the former All Black hardman accepted that the team had matured since last season.

"I had a young side and they were exposed last year when the pressure came on. Now they're a year older and wiser, and we are determined not to make the same mistakes this year."

Counterpart Ken Maharey believes there is not much between the top three teams, after Manawatu were pipped by East Coast 24-22 last weekend, and is clinging to that thought.

"You've got to go into all these games giving yourself a show," he said, suggesting Hawkes Bay were under pressure with huge home expectations.

The second semifinal offers a tantalising clash at Whakarua Park in Ruatoria, where thousands of locals will hope the East Coast fairytale can extend another week.

East Coast, with only two losses this year after promotion, are making their first appearance in a second division semifinal.

The playoffs are no stranger to Nelson, who also hold a psychological advantage after beating their hosts in their round-robin match 18-13.

While the fully fit East Coast squad are keen to redress the balance, Nelson coach Bill Liddell said his side were far from daunted about the trip, although an injury cloud hovers over veteran first five-eighth and goalkicker Warren Johnston.

In the third division, North Otago are seeking their seventh win on the trot and are not about to back away from pre-match favouritism for their semifinal with Poverty Bay in Oamaru today.

After conceding just 59 points in six matches and scoring 231, North Otago coach Glenn Moore is understandably "quite happy with the build-up."

"We want to go in as favourites. People who look for underdog status are just looking for excuses if it doesn't work out," he said.

North Otago beat Poverty Bay in the semifinals last year 53-32.

In the other semifinal, South Canterbury are favoured to win in Timaru against Wairarapa Bush.

- NZPA