Rugby: Rotoiti lose key forwards to injury

Rotoiti will have to soldier on without vice-skipper Joe Royal (centre). Photo / Ben Fraser

Rotoiti face a tough task to reach the top four in the Premier 1 competition after suffering major injuries.

Fifth-placed Rotoiti host seventh-placed Greerton Marist at home tomorrow in the fifth round, but will be without influential vice-captain and hooker Joe Royal and prop Cory Masters.

Rotoiti come into the game after a dramatic 30-28 victory over Te Puna at Emery Park last Saturday, a win clinched with the last kick of the match - a penalty from the boot of Logan Henry.

Committee member Willie Emery said it was a must-win game for the side and discipline would be essential due to the loss of two key players with Royal out for the rest of the season after breaking his thumb.

"Our target is to reach the semifinal stages but to get there we have to beat Greerton to have any real chance," he said. "It is a real loss both Joe and Cory are real leaders on the pitch so the boys will have to rally round and stand up.

"We were slightly fortunate to get the win last weekend and our discipline very nearly let us down.

"Players have to play to the rules and control physicality, especially with the loss of two key aggressors around the scrum."

Greerton Marist have had a difficult start to round two of the Premier competition - losing three of their four games, including last weekend's 46-7 loss to second-placed Tauranga Sports.

And Rotoiti can take confidence into the crucial fixture having beat their next opponents 30-28 in round one of the competition - a nail-biting win once again sealed late by Henry.

"We know we can beat them," said Emery.

"But none of us want to see a repeat performance from last time."

Tomorrow's games:

Baywide Premier 1
Kick-off 2.45pm/Development kick-off 1pm
Rotoiti v Greerton Marist, Emery Park
Whakatane Marist v Te Puke, Rugby Park
Tauranga Sports v Rangataua, Tauranga Domain
Te Puna v Mount Maunganui, Maramatanga Park

Baywide Premier 2
Kick-off 2.45pm/Development kick-off 1pm
Opotiki v Whakarewarewa, Princess Street Reserve
Waikite v Arataki, Bellvue Road
Ngongotaha v Marist St Michael's, Ngongotaha Domain
Paroa v Poroporo v Poroporo, Lawson Park

Baywide Division One
Kick-off 2.45pm
Judea v Kahukura Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park
Ruatoki v Papamoa, Tuhoe Park
Rangiuru v Katikati, Centennial Park
Edgecumbe v Te Teko, Edgecumbe Domain