Do or die rugby in today’s games

The BCI Stadium in Nikao and Nukupure Park in Muri will be the venues for today’s semi final club rugby action.

At Nukupure Park – first and second placed teams will face off with the winner of each respective grade going straight to the finals.

At the BCI Stadium it’s do or die rugby as third and fourth placed teams square off with the winning team in each grade heading to next weekend’s semi finals against the losers of the games at Ngatangiia.

The losers of the games at the BCI Stadium will hang their boots up.

A winning team must be found in all games played today so in the case of a drawn score-line, the winner will be determined via ‘golden point extra time’ being played over two five-minute halves and the team that scores the golden point wins the game.

In the senior A division – first placed Ngatangiia Dragons take on second placed Tupapa Panthers.

The Dragons seem to have had the wood over the Panthers this season winning their last two encounters 30-22 and 22-18.

For the Panthers plenty of interest will focus on whether or not their injured players, classy utility backline player Turori Matutu and workaholic halfback/loose forward Aseli Manuquila, will play today.

The attack and defence work rate of Matutu, Manuquila and number 8 captain Kore Herrmann trio will be crucial if the Panthers are to succeed in today’s semi-final.

The winner from this match will progress straight to the grand final.

And the loser will play the winner of the third and fourth placed game also today between the Arorangi Cowboys and the Avatiu Eels at the BCI Stadium.

Historically these two powerhouse rugby clubs have always enjoyed intense rivalry on the rugby field and in the two matches played in 2012 between the Cowboys and Eels, the Cowboys have won both these matches, both single-point victories by 20-19 and 11-10. Circumstances were similar in both 2012 matches, the Eels infringing and the Cowboys kicking late penalty goals to win both games.

Obviously the most disciplined team will win today’s match.

An altercation during the Eels and Cowboys under 19 game last weekend spoilt what has otherwise been a good season to date.

The fight has resulted in three players being suspended awaiting their judiciary hearing next week.

CIRU has a zero tolerance for all forms of violence in sport.

We now look forward to some exciting matches in all grades this weekend at the Ngatangiia field and at the BCI Stadium.

For today’s draw, see page 18.