CLUB RUGBY:

Coastal v New Plymouth Old Boys, Rahotu Domain, 2:45pm
Referee: Richard Kelly

In the repeat of last year’s finale, Coastal are the favourites in the first semi-final of the CMK premier club rugby competition on Saturday.

The hearty bunch of players have featured at the top of the standings for most of the season and earned a home play-off before the final round concluded.

Throughout the season, Coastal has claimed 10 wins, including two against this weekend’s opponents New Plymouth Old Boys.

Fullback Troy Stevenson and flanker Beauden Fleming have been consistent campaigners for the side so far this season.

Coastal is familiar with the pressures of semi-final rugby and even the big dance playing in back-to-back finals in 2017 and 2018.

Old Boys carry positive momentum into the semi-final with a strong win against Inglewood in their last match of the regular season.

They welcomed back first five-eighth Daniel Waite and midfielder Brayton Northcott-Hill at a good time leading into the most important game of the season so far.

Old Boys had an inconsistent first round but bounced back in the latter part of the season winning seven games.

Their finals experience doesn’t lack after beating Tukapa at Sanders Park last year and moving onto win the competition.  
 

Spotswood United v Tukapa, Yarrow Stadium #2, 2:45pm
Referee: Cam Stone

They may have survived another week, but both Spotswood United and Tukapa are taking a ‘business as usual’ approach ahead of Saturday’s second semi-final of the CMK premier club rugby.

Spotswood United earned a home semi-final after their win against Southern last weekend but it was a little harder for Tukapa who needed to beat Clifton to earn a spot in the top four.

As the higher seed, Spotswood United’s preparation has lifted, according to coach Mitch Williams.

“It’s just another weekend playing with the brothers. Mindset has definitely shifted up a gear, but all the boys have felt this pressure before. Pressure makes diamonds,” he said.

Williams said he has a lot of respect for Tukapa, who beat them in their last semi-final appearance two seasons ago, and what they have achieved.

He said captain Matthew Goodwin and halfback Warwick Lahmert will be key leaders for the side.

Tukapa coach Ben Siffleet also shrugged off the pressure of finals rugby and said the preparation remains the same.

“We have played good footy when we keep to the structure and systems we have in place and do the basics well,” he said.

Siffleet said the side is young but has stepped up.

Article added: Thursday 04 July 2019