Rugby: Playoffs pressure on King Country

Second division

With the home semifinals already decided in favour of perennial second-division NPC title contenders Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay, the spotlight falls on the other hopefuls today.

King Country, after a week off, travel up and across the North Island to Paeroa, where they have every chance of taking maximum points to get into third place ahead of defending champions Nelson Bays.

King Country have to be favoured to be too good for the second-last side, Thames Valley.

"It was frustrating sitting at home on the bye round and watching the other results last weekend," coach Noel McQuilkin said.

"We need to win this weekend, but thinking it will be easy is a dangerous trap.

"Thames Valley will be very keen to finish on a high note.

"I don't think they'll be feeling very neighbourly towards our chances of getting into the semifinals."

Nelson Bays, at home, have to be strong favourites to defeat a Manawatu side who have disappointed this season.

Nelson lost to both the top two teams in the round-robin competition and need a win to guarantee third spot.

Wanganui who have a bye this weekend, will spend today watching their aspirations for a semifinal place slip by.

Only Marlborough, who are also on 19 points, have a chance of slipping into the final four through the back door.

But despite being at home at Blenheim, they face a tough task of upsetting division leaders Bay of Plenty.

Their best hope is that the Bay, having already qualified for the semifinals, will not be at the peak of their powers.

Second-placed Hawkes Bay should prove too strong for lowly Mid-Canterbury in a game of little consequence but pride.

Points: Bay of Plenty 32, Hawkes Bay 28, Nelson Bays 23, King Country 20, Wanganui 19, Marlborough 19, Manawatu 11, Thames Valley 7, Mid-Canterbury 2.

- NZPA