LEAGUE - Moerewa must shutdown Rau, says skipper

A life-sized cardboard cut-out of Hikurangi's Joe Rau might come in handy for the Moerewa coaching staff tonight as they go through their final training session ahead of tomorrow's Northland club rugby league final against the Stags.
The Moerewa squad are likely to be given the following message: When you get the ball, run at this guy - we need to slow him down.
It's not that Rau is weak in defense, on the contrary, but Moerewa believe that Rau's talent is enough to warrant a special plan, their captain Denis Davis believes.
"He's the No.1 man in Northland in our view, he's not unstoppable but if you hang off him, he'll tear you to bits. We call him Freddy Fittler in our team because he's that dangerous," he said.
Moerewa is aware of Hikurangi's strengths and they will be trying to limit the effectiveness of their playmaker from the start.
"They've got a team of good players but the difference is that Joe Rau has scored three tries in the last 10-15 minutes of almost every game this year, and if we're going to win we have to shut down their top man," Davis said.
The skipper said Rau directs Hikurangi around the field before striking in the final quarter - as Takahiwai found out in the playoffs, when Rau turned a tight game into a cakewalk with a final quarter hat-trick.
Moerewa know they're the underdogs for tomorrow's final and they're happy with the tag - it's helped to get them there.
The Tigers weren't favourites to beat Marist two weeks ago, nor did too many people expect them to beat Takahiwai last weekend. But they did and now it is Hikurangi that stand between them and a Whangarei and Districts Rugby League title.
The underdogs feel they have yet to play their best in the competition and hope to produce it at Jubilee Park tomorrow.
Rau, however, is playing down Hikurangi's favourite's tag.
"On paper, I think they're two evenly matched teams in all aspects and I think on the day it'll come down to who wants it more - and who's willing to dig deeper for the win," Rau said.
The Hikurangi player-coach isn't expecting an easy match either. He believes the final would go down to the wire.
"I watched Moerewa last week and I was impressed with their performance.
"They're unpredictable and they've got some quality players and they may have a few more this week so I'm expecting a very tough game."
The final starts at Jubilee Park at 2.30pm and is preceded by the Northland under-15 trial game at 1pm.
* Who will win?
• Phil Marsh (Northern Storm Coach): I'm going to go with the Tigers. I just think they're on a roll. I think that Hikurangi are going to miss Steve Rau (injured) and if Moerewa can shut Joe down they'll have the momentum to win the grand final.
• Colin Love (Northland referee's boss): Referees are impartial so I can't really say for sure but I think Hikurangi might be a bit tough for Moerewa but it's going to be close either way.
• Spy On The Bank: My heart says Moerewa but my head says Hikurangi - they have the firepower.