Rugby League Northland Premiership title hopes will fade for two teams tomorrow as the major semifinals get under way at Toll Stadium.

More than 60 players were talent identified at the Whangarei Netball Centre's (WNC) recent Field Day Representative tournament.

The Whangarei Racing Club’s New Season Race Day event at Ruakaka on Saturday didn’t pull a big crowd of spectators but the gees-gees and their handlers still put on a great show. The “M” word was on a few trainers’ lips as a couple of the horses were talked-up for outings across the ditch — a Melbourne Spring Carnival Cox Plate on the cards and, possibly in the future for at least one, a tilt at the Melbourne Cup. Meanwhile, the drier turf of Ruakaka offered an ideal place for horses from wetter fields to stretch out. Story page 32. John Stone took some photos.

Northland's ITM Cup coaches will have a chance to put months of planning and preparation into action tonight when the Taniwha face off against the Northland development side.

One of the most talented groups of horses to ever take charge of the Ruakaka racecourse will stride onto the seaside track tomorrow.

Northland MPs Kelvin Davis and Winston Peters are part of the parliamentary contingent that will travel to England to take on other countries in the Parliamentary Rugby World Cup.

Sleepless nights for Wellsford coach Ross Neal and Mid Northern coach Craig Edwards will hopefully ease after tomorrow's Bayleys Southern Districts Premiers final at Toll Stadium.