League: Must-win games with finals on the horizon

Tawio Davis attributes the form reversal to two factors; returning players and their tight knit team.

Hokianga, Hikurangi, Northern Wairoa, and Moerewa have crucial games this weekend in the Rugby League Northland MultiKai Cooker Premiership as the run into the finals begins.

With four games remaining in the regular season tomorrow's matches between Hokianga and Hikurangi, and Northern Wairoa and Moerewa essentially are must-wins.

While the defending champions Hikurangi are placed second, they have proven this season they are beatable. Despite that, they have pulled some impressive wins against opposition who were likely to have been favoured over them.

Hokianga sit fifth comfortably, but are just one point off Otangarei in third, who suffered a surprise 28-24 loss last weekend to Moerewa.

Meanwhile in the other hot match of the weekend, Northern Wairoa host an in-form Moerewa team with both sides needing a win to make their run into the play-offs that little bit easier.

The past two weeks have seen Moerewa defeat two top-six teams - knocking over Hokianga and their 28-24 defeat of Otangarei last weekend, showing their form is no fluke.

Coach Tawio Davis attributes the form reversal to two factors; returning players and their tight knit team.

"We have got a few of the boys back from rugby," he explained.

"Plus we have four sets of brothers who compete to see who the best brothers are. The four sets are, Anaru Thompson and Simeon Ata, Boyd and Tawio Davis, Jarhdon and Brodie Palmer, Jimmy and Chase Tauranga - plus our captain, Bernie Proctor, is in awesome form.

"The win in the weekend showed that we can battle hard, we were leading 28-6 at half time [and] the second half didn't go our way, but we dug in the trenches to hold out for a 28-24 win," Davis said.

Other weekend matches see Otangarei host Hora Hora, Muriwhenua travel to Takahiwai and Kerikeri host Portland.