League: Takahiwai gunning for repeat RLN titles

Takahiwai's Hori Tuhoro puts on a sidestep as he approaches the defence. Photo / Tania Whyte

Takahiwai Warriors have a chance to go back-to-back in the RLN Premiership but they will face a stern test when they match up with the Moerewa Tigers.

The grand final is shaping to be an instant classic at Toll Stadium. The most clinical attack lines up against the staunchest defence.

Moerewa are coming into the game on the back of a strong performance in last week's major semifinal against Otangarei Knights.

Takahiwai's Hori Tuhoro puts on a sidestep as he approaches the defence. Photo / Tania Whyte

They used a top first half to dispatch the minor premiers 38-24. The likes of Peter Prime, Eli George and Haylin Rogers stood out in the victory.

Again they showed the potency of their attack as they ran in seven tries on the back of top play from halves pairing Damien and Brodee Palmer.

However, they'll have to up their game even more as they take on the defending champions.

Takahiwai had a week off after defeating Otangarei in the first week of the playoffs 22-12 in an intense fixture.

Takahiwai scored four tries in what was a bruising encounter through Jordan Hool, Ross McFarlane, Te Hau Lemon and Wi Thompson.

Moerewa and Takahiwai have unsurprising had very strong line-ups throughout the 2017 season which has seen them rewarded with 15 berths in the Northern Swords squad.

In both the side's match-ups this season the result was tight. In round five Takahiwai grabbed a 24-18 victory at home as Kyle Hool led the 2016 champions home with a two-try effort.

The other stoush between the two this year was an 18-all draw, courtesy of a last-minute try to McFarlane.

Moerewa had fought back from 10-4 down to be ahead 18-14 heading into the last quarter of the match before McFarlane's second try of the day saved Takahiwai's blushes.

Within the game there will be some interesting match-ups that will have the expected strong crowd salivating.

Takahiwai's Hori Tuhoro puts on a sidestep as he approaches the defence. Photo / Tania Whyte

The battle of the fullbacks will be a key one as Takahiwai's Hori Tuhoro lines up against the competition's leading points scorer Jaydenn Bentley-Hape.

Tuhoro led his side to the title last year while Bentley-Hape comfortably heads the points-scoring tally with an impressive 216.

The halves battle between Moerewa's Palmer duo and Takahiwai's Kyle Hool and Jesse Epiha will be integral while the backrowers from both sides have been highly impressive throughout the year.

The curtain-raiser will be a battle of under-15 talent as Hikurangi take on Takahiwai, kicking off at 12:30pm. The RLN Premiership grand final will get under way at 2:30pm.

Entry is $5 for adults, a gold coin koha for 5 to 15-year-olds while under 5s are free.