Rugby: Neighbours face showdown in second division

In fourth place and just a point ahead of defending champions Nelson Bays, Marlborough know they face a do-or-die game this weekend in the NPC second division rugby championship.

The second division semifinals race basically has Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay in the playoffs with King Country (20 points) in third place, a point ahead of Marlborough.

King Country have a bye this weekend, opening the way for either Nelson Bays or Marlborough to go close to cementing a semifinals berth.

"This really is it and it is so ironical that it comes down to two teams so close to each other," Marlborough's Kieren Keane, a former All Black, said yesterday.

"I can say everything that I want, but really this will be a game that will rely on more heart than anything else.

"We've always had tough games against Nelson, it is never easy up there with the hometown advantage, but we know what we want out of this game."

In other second division matches Manawatu or Wanganui could get a late chance to make the semifinals with the result of their match this weekend.

Thames Valley will struggle to hold out second-placed Hawkes Bay, while bottom side Mid-Canterbury can not be expected to shut out rampant Bay of Plenty, coached by Gordon Tietjens, who are pushing for first division inclusion.

In the third division, last year's beaten finalists and current leaders Poverty Bay face a championship-winning test over the next two weekends. This weekend they travel to Timaru to play fifth-placed South Canterbury, six points behind Poverty Bay and desperately needing a win at home to stay in the hunt for a semifinals berth.

"We're aware of our position, we know what it will take if we seriously believe we can win this division," Poverty Bay coach Brett Fell said.

"This weekend we go to Timaru and then next weekend we've got to go back to play North Otago.

"The only way we are going to know we're good enough is if we can beat both teams away and get a home semifinal."

He said Poverty Bay, leaders going into this weekend, would love to drag a semifinal and, hopefully, a final back to Gisborne.

In other games this weekend, second-placed North Otago, on 21 points - a point back from Poverty Bay, face a tough task away to Buller in Westport.

Third-placed East Coast, also on 21 points, must make good their advantage and put the travelling West Coast to the sword at Ruatoria.

And Horowhenua-Kapiti must win at home against neighbours Wairarapa-Bush if they are to get back into the final four.

- NZPA