Rugby League: Stags not getting carried away

Hikurangi's rugby league team have kept their winning ways going with another landslide victory.

While the Stags' 70-26 win over the Hora Hora Broncos may look flattering, Stags coach Joe Rau will be keeping his side's feet on the ground.

"I'm happy with our attacking but not really our defence," Rau said of Saturday's victory. "We leaked 26 points, but, you've got to take your hat off for the Hora Hora side who played right to the end of 80 minutes. We're quite fortunate that we won by a fair margin."

Rau commented on how his side kept moving the ball to stretch the Hora Hora defence, adding that his backs such as Innocent Tuamavavae and Joachim Edmonds put in big performances which hurt the Broncos.

"[We didn't do anything special], just played basic footy we've been developing over the years with good ball movement and skills. I think they're [the players] starting to understand," Rau said.

He added the game was a pleasure to be involved with as it was a tough, clean game which showed a lot of heart, particularly from the Hora Hora side.

In other premier rugby league matches, Takahiwai kept their early season momentum with a tight 24-20 victory over the Northern Wairoa Bulls in Dargaville.

Takahiwai coach Shane Hool said after the Bulls scored first, through Solomone Palu, his side came back, through a converted try Brady Small, to set the tone for a see-sawing game.

A converted try to Bulls' centre Robbie Paniora and another to Takahiwai's Kyle Hool on the half meant Takahiwai took a slim 12-10 lead to the break.

Takahiwai scored first in the second half with a try to winger Nicholas Schuster, converted by Hool, to push his side further in front. However, the Bulls swung the momentum their way and scored two tries to take a 18-20 lead.

For Takahiwai it took another Hool try, injuring himself in the process, to seal the 24-20 win.

Shane Hool noted standouts for Northern Wairoa were Solomone Palu, Langitoto Tu'utafaiva, Cruize Selkirk and Evan Griffiths, with his side's top performers were Kyle Hool, Rhadyn Teokotai, Mike Hauraki and Jordan Hool.

"[The game was] played with some big tackles in good spirit, with the lead changing several times," Hool commented.

"The last 10 minutes was frantic, with both sides guilty of turning the ball over after a heavy downpour. But, Takahiwai managed to hold on for the win."

Also getting a win this weekend was Portland with a 32-28 over City in the Rugby League Northland Premiership South Pool.