Home semi-final for Tasman

Tasman fans can start planning for a home semifinal.

The Mako rolled Hawke’s Bay 29-0 at a sopping wet Trafalgar Park in Nelson last night, shooting to the top of the premiership section of the Mitre 10 Cup in the process.

Whether or not they finish as the top seed, which comes with home field advantage throughout the playoffs, won’t be known until Sunday afternoon, but they’ve at least guaranteed themselves one home playoff match.

The bonus point scalp improved their record to 9-1, and only Auckland, who host North Harbour on Sunday, can surpass them.

As for Hawke’s Bay (5-5), they have an anxious few days ahead as they wait to see whether or not they will host a championship semifinal.

The Magpies are in second, but can be overtaken by Otago on Saturday afternoon, should the blue and golds win their Ranfurly Shield clash with Waikato.

Regardless, Hawke’s Bay quickly need to address their shaky scrum if they’re to entertain any thought of promotion to the competition’s top-tier.

They were annihilated by Tasman’s impressive pack, led by captain and prop Wyatt Crockett, hooker Andrew Makalio and tighthead Tyrel Lomax.

Tasman lapped up the set piece dominance, using it to dominate possession and territory - important assets on such a miserable night.