Can the Dragons break a 32-year hiatus?

Its been 32 long years since the Ngatangiia Dragons have won a grand finals match and today the side could make history on home ground when they face off against the Tupapa Panthers in the Senior A grade grand finals.

Former CI News editor and rugby reporter Moana Moekaa dredged back through his archives and found that the last time the Ngatangiia Rugby Club won the Round Cup and Champions of Champions title was in 1979.

In 1979 Ngatangiia faced and beat the Tupapa Panthers.

In 1977 the Ngatangiia Rugby Club won the Round Cup, Air New Zealand cup and Champion of Champion trophies.

The team included Julian Dashwood, G Mooseman, Rau Nga, Ngatere Nga, Willie Kauvai, Turua Hosking, George Maoate, William Estall, Brian Donnelly (ex-New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands), Kawa Elisaia, Tapuni Tarami and Kau Mapu.

In another twist Ngatangiia player from the squad Ngatere Nga is the current coach of the Tupapa Panthers Senior A team that will take on the Dragons today.

Whoever you support todays club grand final matches are going to be exciting games starting with the under 13 grade at 12pm and wrapping up with the main grade grand final at 3.30pm.