League: Warriors hunting for Sharks

Te Kaiaotea "Bully" Tahuriorangi scores a try on the way to Pikiao's 30-26 victory against Pacific in last year's Bay of Plenty District grand final. His team will need to recapture their winning form of last year to stand a chance in tomorrow's semifinal against Pacific. Photo / File

Pikiao Warriors will be hoping to reverse their dismal record this season against the Pacific Sharks when the teams face off in the Bay of Plenty/Coastline Premier semifinal in Tokoroa tomorrow.

The Rotorua team could be forgiven for feeling uneasy about a return to Memorial Park, the site of a 60-6 mauling by the Sharks just last month.

But, despite a turbulent 2015 campaign, which has included a season-long ban being handed down to coach Thomas Wharerau for bad touchline behaviour, and an underwhelming fourth-placed ladder position, current Pikiao coach Garrum Davis said his team were feeling positive about the clash.

"We're working on a few things and we've got a few players back, so that helps," said Davis.

"We're just going out there with a game plan in mind."

Davis' team will need to conjure something so far unseen this season to make the grand final: A win against their Tokoroa rivals.

And the coach made no bones about the threat of their opposition; asked who his team would be watching out for, Davis said: "Pretty much all their 17 players ... they're pretty good across the board."

But the Rotorua team can take heart from the memory of last year's 30-26 grand final victory against Pacific - a win spearheaded by the tireless efforts of fullback Te Kaiaotea "Bully" Tahuriorangi.

Sharks coach Paniora Daniels said his team's preparation was going well - "bar the weather".

But he said his players would be keeping a close eye on Tahuriorangi tomorrow - and despite his team's table topping position, and season record over Pikiao, Daniel wasn't taking anything about the semifinal for granted.

"We're definitely confident, but it's anyone's game in the semifinals. It's about who wants it the most," he said.

"If they [Pikiao] get it together, they're very dangerous."

Daniels said he was expecting tomorrow, at Memorial Park, to be "a bit of a spectacle".

As well as the Premier semifinal, Pacific will host the Otumoetai Eels in a Reserve Grade semi, and Forestland Falcons will take on Whakatane/Taneatua Warriors in a Division One semi.

The other Premier Grade semi, between Taupo Phoenix and Otumoetai Eels, will be at Taupo's Hickling Park.

Rotorua's Central Lions take on Reporoa Razorbacks in their Reserve Grade semi at Puketawhero Park.

Semi-finals weekend

Premier Grade:

3.20pm Pacific Sharks (1) v Pikiao Warriors (4) - Memorial Park, Tokoroa; 2.30pm Taupo Phoenix (2) v Otumoetai Eels (3) - Hickling Park, Taupo

Reserve Grade: 1.40pm Pacific Sharks (1) v Otumoetai Eels (4) - Memorial Park, Tokoroa; 1pm Central Lions (2) v Reporoa Razorbacks (3) - Puketawhero Park, Rotorua

Division 1 Grade: 12pm Forestland Falcons (2) v Whakatane/Taneatua Warriors (3) - Memorial Park, Tokoroa; (Putaruru Dragons (2) forfeited their match against Putauaki Stags; the Stags progress to the final).