Rugby: Champs give up comforts of home

David Miller

Aotea coach Peka Hauiti admitted it was a big call to give up home-ground advantage for Hawke's Bay's division two rugby final on Thursday night.

His team will take on Porangahau in the final which will be played as a curtainraiser to the Magpies' Ranfurly Shield defence against Mid Canterbury at Napier's McLean Park. Aotea have only lost once at Dannevirke's Rugby Park this season, the Town-Country division final against Taradale.

"We discussed it as we thought it might be a bit tough for our supporters to pay Ranfurly Shield prices. But then we decided it would be a privilege to play on McLean Park," Hauiti said.

His troops will wait until after the final before discussing the possibility of playing in the promotion-relegation game.

Aotea keys will be ex-Bay fullback Jearrad Stephenson, No8 Tobias Allison, openside flanker Isaac Scott, the midfield combo of Tama Petera and Zac Wadley-Te Ture and three of the four Hauiti brothers - hooker Raniera, prop Tiwai and flanker Eru.

Porangahau coach Simon McDonald said his team did not have the depth to play in the promotion-relegation game but he was still confident of a competitive display in the final. He should be, as Porangahau were pipped 17-13 by Aotea in their only previous encounter this season and 18-14 in last year's final.

To make consecutive finals is a tremendous feat for Porangahau, who withdrew from the competition in 2013 because of a lack of players. Expect captain and centre Matt Nesbitt, vice captain and No8 James Maher and lock, former New Zealand polo rep David Miller to be prominent for the underdogs.

Should Aotea win the final and decide to play the promotion-relegation game, they will take on Tamatea on August 1.

The final kicks off at 5.25pm. Gates open at 5pm.