Rugby: Whakarewarewa fall in one-sided semifinal

TWO HALVES: Action from the semifinal between Whakarewarewa and Te Puke Sports at Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke on Saturday.PHOTO/BEN FRASER

There will be no Rotorua presence in the final of the Baywide premier rugby competition after Whakarewarewa were bundled out of contention 40-20 by Te Puke Sports.

Whaka gave the home side a good run and led 20-9 in the first half, but Te Puke battled back well and dominated the set pieces, particularly at scrum time.

Te Puke coach Craig Jeffries admits it was daunting going into the match with an undefeated record.

"It's nice if you can get through the season, but it is a bit of a burden because everyone wants to knock you off," he said. "But really we were under the radar until we beat Tauranga. Tauranga were really the unbeaten team and we were just tagging along because they were leading the table."

He acknowledged his forward pack but was quick to give his backs credit as well.

"Our set piece is good. But we have underestimated backs ... they are capable of cutting a game open as well."

Whakarewarewa coach Kopae Irihei said that after leading at half-time they felt they could push on and win.

"But that second half there was a lot of missed tackles and that is what cost us and gave them good field position," he said.

"Te Puke were very strong in the forwards and particularly at set pieces. They have been like that since the start of the season and that is why they are the number one ranked team."

The first try came on 30 minutes when Te Puke kicked down field and Whaka fullback Te Rangi Fraser went on one of his trademark runs. Fraser linked up with speedster Whaimotu Craft-Chemis, who was brought down just before the try line. Hayden Baird picked the ball up and forced his way over to score.

Te Puke scored an important try just before the break to make it 20-16 at half-time.

The second half was one-sided as the Te Puke forwards took over.

Te Puke halfback Jono Kitto scored two tries in the half, following good build-up play from his forwards, while Jake Paringatai scored out wide for the final try.

Te Puke Sports 40 (Jono Kitto 2, Dan Goodwin, Jake Paringatai tries; Dan Hollinshead con, 5 pen, Matt Cole drop goal) Whakarewarewa 20 (Hayden Baird, Te Rangi Fraser tries; Ryubyn Vaipo 2 con, 2 pen).