Semi-final match ups solidified after intriguing final round

Jack Malcolm

It’s back to the drawing board for Marist this week as they prepare for a winner-takes-all Tasman Trophy semi-final rematch against Kahurangi on Saturday.

After failing to find any real momentum as the home team over the weekend in a 34-5 loss, they have the cards stacked against them as they look to earn a finals spot against either Stoke or Central.

After an intriguing final round of regular season rugby last Saturday, no one has emerged as clear favourites ahead of what is set to be a series of exciting semi-finals. Marist came out strongly against Kahurangi at Trafalgar, but were blown off the park after a series of runaway tries against the run of play that took the wind completely out of their sales.

With a trip to Motueka’s Sports Park this weekend for a sudden death rematch, they will have their work cut out for them if they want to come away with a different result from last season.

They have a wealth of exciting talent and experience in their ranks to rely on, but it will require a team effort to come out on top. In saying that, there will have to be stand out performances from the likes of loose forwards Tepuoho Stephens, Simione Ofa and Max Hicks, while their backline will need to fire to get wingers and brother Nic and Timi Sauira the space to shine.

Kahurangi have made it a bit of a theme to kick into gear later in the season, and it’s no different this year as they rampaged forward from being a dark horse to topping the competition leaderboards. They welcomed back Willie Havili into fullback last weekend and he showed his superstar potential from the outset.

They also have experience in their ranks, with lock Manu Williamson-Parkin notching up his 100th premier game for the club over the weekend, the fourth in Kahurangi’s history to reach the milestone. With playmakers throughout the squad, they provide a threat from any area of the park as evidenced by their tries over the weekend that marched Marist down the field. By stringing together win after win, they come into this years’ playoffs as favourites as they look to do one better than last year after falling just short in their 2022 final against Central.

As the only team from Blenhiem in the playoff picture again this season, Central have a hard road ahead of them if they want to keep the Tasman Trophy in their clubrooms for another year. They have a home game against Stoke and will be hoping to have improved after losing to them 3528 just three weeks ago. With that game played at Greenmeadows, it will be interesting to see how much of an impact having to travel over the Whangamoas is for Stoke, who have looked strong this season but still faced adversity in a loss to Marist and a draw with Kahurangi. They’ll be relying on some of their more experienced campaigners like front rowers Kendall Hodson and Matt Graham-Williams.

In the backline, Taine Robinson has continued to impress while taking on more of a leadership role within the team, while Caleb Coventry has been solid in the midfield. With it all still to play for with two weekends of premier rugby left for some teams, last weekend was the final game for those who haven’t made the playoffs.

Sports results...

Division one rugby:

Kahurangi 34 vs Marist 5; Stoke 47 vs Moutere 16; Waitohi 32 vs Nelson 31; Central 26 vs Waimea Old Boys 24.

Standings:

Kahurangi 33 points; Central 29; Stoke 28; Marist 26; Waimea Old Boys 12; Waitohi 11; Nelson 7; Moutere 5.

Division two rugby:

Marist: Saints 12 vs Huia 32; Waimea Old Boys 44 vs Murchison 8; Tapawera/Valley Stags 24 vs Stoke 52; Riwaka 19 vs Wanderers 38; Takaka 24 vs Collingwood 29; Nelson Bye.

Standings: Stoke 40 points; Collingwood 28; Huia 25; Riwaka 24; Waimea Old Boys 21; Wanderers 19; Takaka 19; Marist 14; Tapawera 13; Nelson 1; Murchison 0.

Netball:

FCL Nelson Men 64 vs Prices Waimea Pango 39; Jacks OPD 74 vs Nelson Girls College Senior A 38; Richmond F45 61 vs Prices Waimea Ahurei 58.

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