Rugby: Big guns wary of slip ups

There's no chance for a breather as Southern Districts premier rugby teams get ready for a few weeks of pitched battle to decide the 2012 semifinalists.

With four rounds to go, a slip-up for the top three clubs, Wellsford, Mid Western and Mid Northern, could cost them the chance of a home semifinal and might even put them back in range of the four clubs scrapping it out for the fourth playoff spot.

For Marist, Kamo, Hora Hora and Old Boys a loss tomorrow may be their last roll of the dice in this year's premier competition, so club rugby fans can expect some real fireworks.

Fourth-placed Marist face a virtual quarterfinal against Mid Western at Maungakaramea, while fifth-placed Kamo have a comparatively easy game against bottom-placed Otamatea.

Kamo coach John Miller said his side won't be taking Otamatea lightly with so much on the line.

"Nobody's easy in this year's competition and Otamatea at home are another tough proposition. Realistically we have to win the rest of our games if we want to feature in the finals," he said.

Sixth-placed Hora Hora are a nightmare proposition for Mid Northern. Looking at the two squads on paper might cause a neutral observer to cast his vote for a relatively comfortable win for the Hukerenui club but Hora Hora - in front of their home faithful - will be up for this match.

Every year Hora Hora string together a run of second-round wins to try to grab a finals spot and this year is no different.

Old Boys, in seventh, will be predicting doom and gloom for the clubs above them but there aren't any easy points on offer when the Western Sharks visit Okara Park.

The competition leaders Wellsford may be tempted to rest a player or two when Hikurangi visit but despite an up-and-down season, the visitors have too much pride in their club colours to be taken lightly.