Waitohi opt out of final round
At a glance
The Waitohi Rugby Club has opted not to play their final Tasman Trophy division one fixture on Saturday.
The Tohis, sitting sixth on the trophy points table and out of contention for Wednesday’s semifinals, were scheduled to meet Brightwater-based side Wanderers at Picton’s Endeavour Park.
However, following the death of prop forward Bevan Moody on Thursday morning, the premier team and the club made a collective decision not to play.
Tasman Rugby Union CEO Tony Lewis said the TRU ‘‘fully respected the decision of the Waitohi club and players’’.
‘‘We have spoken to both Renwick and Moutere clubs and they are 100 percent behind [Waitohi’s] decision.’’
Lewis said the Tasman RU handbook rules would be followed to determine the final standings.
Series leaders Nelson confirmed a home semifinal after last week’s win over Waitohi, with Waimea Old Boys, Renwick and Moutere still in line for playoff hosting rights.
Waimea will be fresh after last week’s default win over Harlequins and will need an energised performance against a dangerous Renwick side capable of beating any team in the competition.
Nelson head to Blenheim’s Lansdowne Park to take on a troubled Harlequins team that has already defaulted twice this season due to a lack of player numbers.
Nelson will be looking to head into next Wednesday’s playoffs with their momentum intact and will be anticipating a comprehensive performance against the competition’s bottom-placed team.
Stoke had their playoff hopes ruined by Renwick last Saturday and face another major hurdle against Moutere at Nayland College. Stoke have lost hooker Tyler Kearns for the season with a broken arm and midfielder Alex Nankivell has rejoined the Chiefs although are hoping to have in- form fullback Sam Chamberlain back on deck after missing the past two weeks with a head knock. Kahurangi host Central at Sports Park Motueka with both sides now out of title contention.
Central looked convincing in last week’s win over Marist, notably keeping their try-line intact after having conspicuously leaked points for much of the series. It will mean another tough challenge for a young Kahurangi side who nevertheless continue to show plenty of character.
Marist barely fired a shot against Central and will be determined to redeem themselves against East Coast at the Seddon Domain where both teams will be playing purely for club pride in the final round of competition.