Departing Munro puts his team in playoffs

Northland first five-eighth Lachie Munro is confident that Mid Western can push on and earn a home semifinal without him.
Munro scored all of their points in a tryless 15-9 victory over the Western Sharks in difficult conditions at RD1 Park on Saturday. He was the catalyst that  gave the Mid Western backs  an edge over their counterparts which was just enough to win the arm wrestle for the points.
Munro's kicking and direction of the backline was exceptional and his call up into the Northland squad will cause some concern among Mid-Western fans that without him, they may fall away against good opposition in the final two rounds before the playoffs. But the 22-year-old has more faith in the team than that.
"We didn't have too much depth at the beginning of the year but as we've gone on, we developed good depth and we were pretty much at full strength this week and hopefully next week we'll just slot guys into the gaps and be able to roll into the semis," he said after the match.
The victory sees Mid Western remain in second place in the Joe Morgan Memorial competition, while relegating the Sharks into sixth place, virtually shutting them out of the playoffs race.
While the Auckland import is looking forward to pulling on the Cambridge Blue of Northland in the Air New Zealand Cup, he has more than enjoyed his introduction to country rugby.
"I rolled up to Maungakaramea in the late summer not really knowing what to expect and I was met by all these guys with big beards ... but I've really enjoyed the whole experience, the club's really helped me out and I've enjoyed living with Adam [Clarke] and playing for Mid Western every week, it's been fantastic."
Clarke, the Mid Western captain, was pleased with the four points against the Sharks, which guaranteed them a place in the semifinals.

 A torrential downpour greeted the players as they ran out to start the match and the rain and an accompanying strong wind ruined the first half as a spectacle, turning it into a display of survival rugby.
"If it was on to pass, we'd do it but if it wasn't we were happy kicking and playing down their end of the field and pressuring them to kick back to us," Clarke said.
The Sharks forwards outmuscled Mid Western in the scrum and around the field and although they pressured the goal-line a few times, the visitors' defence held firm.
Handling errors and penalties flowed like the rain. The Mid Western forwards were often penalised for handling the ball in the ruck as they tried to slow down the Sharks increasing forward momentum. Shark's half-back Russell Drinnon was warned for stamping and then - three minutes before halftime - was sent from the field by referee Marius Botha for offending a second time.
The Sharks covered their disadvantage well in the second spell after trailing 3-9 at the break and if anything dominated territory in a fairly even second spell. But after Hugh Rawiri kicked his third penalty in the 34th minute to narrow the gap to 9-12, Mid Western shut them down, pinning the Sharks in their own half until Munro was once again able to extend  the margin to six points.
RESULTS
Southern District Premiers: Waipu 8 Hora Hora 51; Marist 14 Wellsford 34; Western Sharks 9 Mid Western 15; Hikurangi 35 Old Boys 5; Kamo 7 Mid Northern 12.
Premier Reserves: Waipu 0 Hora Hora 55; Marist 31 Wellsford 19; Western Sharks 35 Mid Western 10; Hikurangi 3 Old Boys 8; Kamo 13 Mid Northern 30.
Division 2 semifinals: Whangaruru 11 Pipiwai 6; Otamatea 48 Mangakahia 0.
Mangonui Premiers: Te Rarawa 30 Eastern 6; Kaitaia 53 Te Hapua 0; Awanui 18 Aupouri 10; Waipapakauri 27 Motu Kohu 22.
Bay of Island Premiers: Moerewa 7 Kerikeri 0; Kaeo 3 Ohaeawai 0; United Kawakawa 69 Otiria 0; South Hokianga 31 Okaihau/Kaikohe 17.