FINAL BOUND: Pikiao's Dayharn Haimona celebrates a try on the way to a semifinal win over Mangakino last weekend. PHOTO/BEN FRASER
FINAL BOUND: Pikiao's Dayharn Haimona celebrates a try on the way to a semifinal win over Mangakino last weekend. PHOTO/BEN FRASER
Having survived hours of training, the blood, sweat and tears, a season of highs and lows - it all comes down to this.
This afternoonPikiao and Pacific, two giants of the Coastline/Bay of Plenty rugby league competition, meet in the premier final at Puketawhero Park.
It is more of the same for Pacific, who have been a powerhouse in the competition for years and made many a final.
For Pikiao it is a return to glory after two seasons the club would like to forget.
Pacific left their run late this year, sitting near the middle of the table for much of the season, but found form at the right time to make the semifinals, where they defeated a strong Otumoetai side 30-20.
Pikiao have, arguably, the best attack in the competition and have scored points for fun this season. However, coach Jason Parata knew his players had more in them and urged them to put in a full 80-minute defensive effort.
They did that in their 26-12 semifinal win over Mangakino.
When it comes to finals, these sides know each other well, having met in both 2013 and 2014. Pacific came out on top in 2013, while Pikiao got revenge the following year.
Parata said he was encouraging his team to "just enjoy the experience".
"I've just tried to bring them together and enjoy the week, finals don't come around all the time. We haven't been in a final for a few years so it should be good.
"[Pacific] are a finals team, they'll bring everything. They've been in every final for at least the last six years so it will be a tough game, they're probably the benchmark team in the Bay.
"We need to complete a whole game just playing our own game, not anyone else's. That semifinal was probably one of best games and one of our toughest too," Parata said.
ECSTATIC: Pikiao's Aussie Tuwhangai celebrates a try against Mangakino last weekend. PHOTO/BEN FRASER
Pikiao have been dealt a major blow in their preparations after star centre Cam Walters, one of the form players in the competition, limped off injured during the semifinal against Mangakino.
He finished the game on the bench with ice on his ankle and Parata was not sure if he would recover in time for the final.
"We're still hopeful, he had a bit of a jog on it at training but it's a day-to-day thing and he's doing all he can to get right. We'll give him as much time as we can and make a call on the day."
Parata said winning the final would mean a lot.
"It would mean a lot, not just for the club, but for the whole Pikiao whanau. We've got ex-players flying back from Perth and Brisbane to watch - there is a lot of pride in Pikiao.
"Everyone is proud now, but I think winning it would make up for the last couple of years, we've had more downs than ups but we're heading in the right direction," he said.
Pacific team manager Korio Turia said the two teams played a similar style.
"We're expecting them to be physical and they have some young guys with a lot of energy.
"I think we have to stick to our structures and make sure we do the basics really well. Retention of the ball is really important to us, on attack securing the ball will be critical for whether we win or lose," Turia said.
She said it had been a rough season for Pacific, having some players not return from last season and losing others to injury.
"It's about believing in themselves for the ones who have stuck to it, and believing in the process and the system that was put in place at the beginning of the season.
"It's been a low key week, we're trying not to overwhelm some of our new players who have never played in a premier final. We want them to feel the excitement but in a humble way - just letting them focus on what they need to do as individuals," she said.
