Mackenzie and Harlequins clash for place in final

A place in the Hamersley Cup grand final against defending champions Celtic is at stake in the sudden-death semi-final between Harlequins and Mackenzie today.

Harlequins were somewhat unlucky not to get direct entry to the final, going down to Celtic in the last play of the game. Mackenzie however will be a difficult assignment as they have threats all over the paddock.

The weather is likely to play its part with the game transferred to Morrison Park because of the rain. The Rams were being talked about as potential champions after the first round, bounced back.

Harlequins will be hoping to remain unbeaten against the Rams, having won the first round encounter 29-15 but only just got home in the second 22-17.

Last Saturday Mackenzie flew out to an impressive 19-0 lead against Temuka but then had to hang on.

Key for them will be the attacking and finishing abilities of brothers Iosefo Senibua and Setafano Sauqaqa, who have notched up 25 tries between them this season. Sauqaqa, a former Buller Heartland representative, has been a class act while George Folau is also a handful in the midfield. Harlequins have their slipped and then Mackenzie (from 15): George Williams, Josh Morton, Setafano Sauqaqa, George Folau, Iosefo Senibua, Jared Trevathan, Samisoni Puafisi, Veikoso Poloniati, Ryan McNab, Henry Hurst, Ata Ata Langlangi, Gus Lang, Aaron McCall, Jonny Andrews, Charlie Aho, substitutes: Daniel Wieldraayer, Mana Alafoki, Andrew Scarlett, Jake Dickson, Thomas Mulligan, Johnny Adams Will Green Harlequins (from 15): Sean McDonald, Sireli Buliruarua, Sunia Vatunalagi,,Vatillai Tora, Maile I’Ongi, Ken Hellier, Lucas McRae, Joseteki Veikune, Kamal Tackney, Max Fowler-Burgess, Ben Dewsbury, Hamish Stevenson, Timaru Tafa, Nathan Tubb, Telusa Latu, substitutes: Miekel MacDonald, Chris McCarthy, Jesse McDonald, Jake Lindsay, Jesse McDonald, Brendon O’Connell, Roy Peters, Jamie Newland own backline star in midfielder Vatillai Tora, who has all the skills, while Ken Hellier has been impressive at first five. Tora has scored 16 tries so far while wings Sireli Buliruarua and and Maile I’Ongi have also regularly crossed the line. The battle however maybe won upfront. Harlequins will have a lighter pack and have lost veteran lock Sione Tauelangi, who collected his third yellow card of season and has to sit out a week. They have already been hit hard with injuries losing four loose forwards and a prop in the last six weeks to injury.

That will add pressure on front row veterans Timaru Tafa and Nathan Tubb and explosive loose forward Joseteki Veikune. Harlequins youngsters hunt well in a pack but will be up against some experienced forwards including Jonny Andrews, Gus Lang, Charlie Aho and captain Aaron McCall while former Heartland captain Andrew Scarlett is on the bench.

They however will also need Ata Ata Langilangi and Veikoso Poloniati to have big games, while openside Ryan McNab had a huge game on Saturday, scoring two tries. Mackenzie coach Hamish Johnson said getting the basics right would be the key.Johnson said the team was embracing being in the Hamersley Cub semis but also desperately wanted to be in the final. ‘‘Opportunities don’t come around that often, a lot of guys have not played in a final.’’

Johnson said he was wary of the Harlequins loosies and their experienced front row. Harlequins coach Gareth Burgess said it was intriguing match up.

He was not too concerned about the conditions or the fact they were likely to give away a fairly big weight advantage in the pack.

‘‘We can’t change that, we will still try and play an expansive game.’’

Last year both sides missed out on the top four and had to be content with playing each other with the Scott Cup final, with Mackenzie triumphing 28-18. Harlequins last won the Hamersley Cup in 2008 but have been the beaten finalist six times since then as Celtic put together their sensational run of eight straight victories, while Mackenzie last held the cup aloft in 2003.

The Scott Cup final between Pleasant Point and Geraldine has been postponed.