Defending champions, Hikurangi Stags target their third Northland Title in three years, after they defeated the Moerewa Tigers 32 – 14 in Saturday’s Major Semi Final at Toll Stadium.

The game was set to be a titanic struggle as both teams had traded blow for blow leading into a 12 – 10 Hikurangi lead at half time.  The Tiger’s forwards had dominated the Stags.  But it was the Stags who fired in the second half as the Tigers seemed to have suffered from their two week rest and they failed to fire in the second half.

For the Stags, Co-Captain/Coach Joe Rau, was again instrumental in leading his side around the park scoring a try and kicking four goals.  He was backed up by the dynamic, Innocent Tuimavae (1 try) and winger Shelden McKinley (2 tries), with Dean Shreurs (1 try) tireless at Hooker.  For the Tigers, Northland legend Tawio Davis, was involved in everything and was rewarded with two tries.  Teimi Ransfield was a force on defence and was rewarded with a try.

For the Stags, this will be their fifth consecutive final.  They have won back to back twice – but never three in a row, as Kaikohe upset them in 2010.  Standing in their way in 2013 is the Takahiwai Warriors.  The Warriors defeated the Hokianga Pioneers in an impressive team display.

Led around the park by the stand out standoff Kyle Hool, with a personal tally of 18 points (2 tries and 5 goals) the Warriors didn’t really allow the Hokianga Pioneer’s a chance.  The Warrior’s forwards dominated the pace of the game with quick plays, allowing space out wide for the Tarau family to dominate with tries to Rikki, Charles and Cole!  Rikki’s try was a special – running from deep in his own 20m area to scoot around the flat footed Pioneer forward pack before racing down the touch line untouched!

The Pioneers were competitive but never really looked like a threat to the Shane Hool coached Warriors.  The Pioneers seemed to rely on Captain Richard Koroi (try) and centre Pouri Hohaia (try).  Like the Tigers, the Pioneers looked flat in the second half, it seemed like they had played their Grand Final last week with their last ditch win over the City Knights.

Semi Final Results

Takahiwai Warriors (34)  – Tries: Rikki Tarau, Charles Tarau, Cole Tarau, Kyle Hool (2).  Goals: Kyle Hool (5)

Hokianga Pioneers (18) – Tries: Richard Koroi, Pouri Hohaia, Jordan Otene. Goals: Verne Wilson (3)

Hikurangi Stags (32) – Tries: Innocent Tuimavae, Shelden McKinley (2), Joe Rau, Dean Shreurs, Te Tui Tipene. Goals:   Joe Rau (4)

Moerewa Tigers (14) – Tries: Tawio Davis (2) Tieimi Ransfield. Goals: Jayden Bentley Hape

Junior Finals

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