Karaka will chase a second ever McNamara Cup while Pukekohe will hunt their first title since 2011 when the two sides meet at Navigation Homes Stadium in Saturday’s grand final.
Karaka went through the season as top qualifiers and cruised through their semi-final against Ardmore Marist to make the decider – something they have done eight times over the past 18 seasons.
But winning a grand final is not an easy task – as Karaka’s one title from eight grand final appearances alludes to – you need to be healthy, need to fight off top quality opposition and you need an element of luck to lift the trophy.
Pukekohe too have had their share of heartbreak in recent seasons. They have six McNamara Cups in their history but only one in the past 18 seasons. Michael Porter’s side broke a run of four straight years exiting at the semi-final stage last week.
“Pukekohe are a good side,” Karaka coach Craig Hill told Counties Sports Hub. “They are accurate at set piece and will use their kicking game to get into areas of the field to capitalise on that.
“They work very hard on defence, so the battle is to break that down.”
Porter knows Karaka have been the side to beat all season and they will pose a huge threat on Saturday.
“They are a class side – they have threats all over the park – a big forward pack and a class back line,” Porter explained.
After a physical battle against Patumahoe in the semi-finals, Porter knows his side is match-hardened.
“We will get ourselves right – a couple of little niggles and I don’t think you let niggles stop you from playing a final.”
The two clubs will meet in the Bob Chandler Cup Premier 2 final as well, highlighting the club-wide strengths both teams have.
That match will serve as the curtain-raiser at Navigation Homes Stadium.
Karaka will be aiming to add two more titles to the Massey Cup U21 trophy they won last week, while Pukekohe will aim to add to their U85kg title.
Te Kauwhata and Maramarua meet in a mouth-watering Sid Marshall Shield semi-final at Te Kauwhata Domain. The home side have been the competition leaders throughout the season, but Maramarua have hit form at the right time.
Onewhero hosts Weymouth in the other semi-final in a replay of last week’s fixture that Onewhero triumphed in.
Manurewa and Waiuku meet in the consolation bracket semi-finals at Mountfort Park while Te Kohanga heads to Puni in the other playoff game.
Pukekohe hosts the MK Rangers in the Women’s Development Final at Colin Lawrie Fields as the local side aims to complete a dominant campaign and put yet another piece of silverware in their trophy cabinet.
