Sea Eagles into final, Wahine beaten

Defence is the focus of Manurewa Wahine heading into their rugby league semi final against the Richmond Roses.

Coach Rusty Matua says the team’s defensives structures will have to be at it best at Mountfort Park, Manurewa on Sunday.

Otherwise the Wahine will be spectators at a Richmond/Papakura Sisters grand final the following weekend.

He says Papakura exploited some yawning gaps in the Wahine’s usually tight defence last Sunday and turned a 20-10 half time deficit into a 34-32 upset.

The win, the first over their neighbours this season, gave Papakura the direct passage to the final and forced Manurewa into a playoff against the Rose who thrashed Otahuhu 60-4 in their elimination semi final.

Matua says Kiwi Fern Krystal Murray was the difference between the two sides.

‘‘Krystal was a real handful out wide. We just couldn’t stop her.

‘‘We didn’t get out defensive structure right and she and her team mates took advantage of it. We’ve got to get the little things correct, especially the communication between players.’’

Matua says Richmond will offer his teams the chance to get it right.

The pair go into the knockout semi final with a win a piece in the regular season.

In the women’s pennant, Mangere East beat Otara 28-10 and will face Pt Chevalier in the preliminary final at Walker park, Pt Chevalier on Sunday.

The winner plays Te Atatu in the grand final.

The Papakura Sea Eagles are the only side from south Auckland in the hunt for a major trophy.

They took the direct route to the Fox Memorial Trophy grand final with their 26-14 win over defending premiers, the Pt Chevalier Pirates at Mt Smart Stadium last Saturday.

Pt Chevalier face the Mt Albert Lions who flogged the Glenora Bears 54-6 in their eliminate semi final last Saturday.

The Papatoetoe Panthers bowed out of the Sharman Cup losing 34-16 to the Bay Roskill Vikings in Blockhouse Bay.

The Vikings face the Waitemata Seagulls, while,the Otara Scorpions and the Manukau Magpies face off in one of the Sharman Cup’s premier first semi finals at Ngati Otara Park on Saturday at 2.30pm

The victor will play the winner of the other semi final.