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Premier 1’s – Semi-final showdown

Harbour Hawks have made the semi final for the fifth year in a row! 
The hawks will take on Taieri in a huge play off match at Peter Johnstone Park on Saturday 2:45pm

The side has been smashed with injuries and the huge depletion of the squad having 5 members not available who are part of the Otago Mitre 10 cup set up.

Hooker Sekonia Pole, Lock Joketani Koroi, Loose forward Sione Misilio, number 8 Naulia Dawai and midfielder Sio Tomkinson are all ruled out.

Thankfully because players George Bower and half back Melani Matavao are not fully contracted they are available to play.

The side has had semi finals as their aspiration all year, and now it is time to perform. The team will be lead by Captain Charles Elton who had an outstanding game last week, and some argue one of his best games in the hawks jersey to date.

With the return of George Bower, Abraham Pole and Aidan Spence the front row should be back to dominating ways. Alan Burling has stepped up this year also with great carries and leadership at lineout time.

In the backs not much will change with Logan Allen steering the ship, he will need to have his kicking boots on this week. We all know how much one penalty kick or conversion can determine a game in playoffs.

A huge boost is having Samoan International Melani Matavao back with the team this week, he was a standout in the Pacific nations cup for Samoa and rumour had it that North Harbour wanted to sign him but he could not get out of his player development contract with Otago so lucky for us he will be back to spice things up in the backline.

Piliu Tavake is also back this weekend after being in Tonga for a couple of weeks and being ill last week, Piliu is our top try scorer and will be looking to add to that tally if the ball goes his way on Saturday.

Harbour will be looking to take Taieri up front as they too have lost a lot of their players to Otago Mitre 10 cup. Last time the sides met the hawks won 33-10. Previous to that they drew 14-14 so a close battle is sure to be on the cards.

The boys have a appreciated the massive support from the Harbour supporters all season and no doubt there will be a huge turn out this weekend to hopefully see the boys get into the final.

Kick off is at 2:45!

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