A spot in the 2026 grand final is up for grabs this weekend with two hard-fought semi-finals expected at Bruce Pulman Park and Karaka Sports Complex.
Top seeds Ardmore Marist host Patumahoe at Bruce Pulman Park. While the hosts will go in as strong favourites having won 13 of 14 round robin matches, the one loss they suffered was at the hands of Patumahoe.
There will be no AJ Alatimu or Alamanda Motuga for Ardmore Marist, who are both away on international duty and will be a big loss.
Patumahoe are coming off a last gasp win over Pukekohe to book their place in the playoffs and will be hoping their more recent experience in big games counts.
“We are happy to be at home for the semi-final – its do or die so where we finished on the table counts for nothing now,” Ardmore Marist coach Sulisai Taufalele told Counties Sports Hub.
“Patty have been tracking well leading into the semis so it’s going to take a complete 80-minute performance this week to go another round.”
Karaka and Pukekohe square off at Karaka Sports Complex in the second semi-final in a battle between two evenly matched sides.
Pukekohe has sat in the top two spots almost all season but were jumped by Karaka last weekend, with results falling the way of the defending champions.
Craig Hill’s side has hit their straps at the right end of the season and have the luxury of serious depth to call upon.
Pukekohe have match-winners all across the park however and are tipped to welcome back experienced Steelers star Leo Ngatai-Tafau for the winner-takes-all clash.
Both games kick off at 2.45pm.
Karaka hosts Waiuku in one Bob Chandler Cup Premier 2 semi-final while Ardmore Marist heads to Pukekohe for the other one.
Defending champions Te Kauwhata can sew up top spot head into the semi-finals when they meet Drury at Drury in the Sid Marshall Shield.
Onewhero travels to Maramarua in the other game. Onewhero can still finish top if Te Kauwhata stumble while Maramarua will be hoping to secure a bonus point or better to finish third rather than fourth.
Karaka hosts Te Kohanga in the Sid Marshall Cup while Puni travels to Pukekohe.
Defending champions Karaka meet Patumahoe in the Massey Cup U21 decider at Navigation Homes Stadium on Saturday.
The game is set to kick off a 12.30pm.
Patumahoe and Pukekohe meet in the U85kg Cup while in the other game Karaka heads to Waiuku.
In the U85kg Shield, Drury hosts Beachlands.
Manurewa will look to win another Coleman Shield when they face College Rifles at Rifles Park in the Women’s Premier grade championship decider.
Kick off is 3pm.
Northcote hosts Patumahoe in the Women’s Premier 2 final at Harvey Wright Park.
