The Tasman Tanning Premier playoffs have arrived a week early as Tāmata Hauhā Rātana will try to make it two upsets in a row to snatch fourth spot from Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist in the Pa on Saturday.

In the perfect storm last weekend, Rātana played out of their skin for their official 100 th celebrations to roll over an understrength and somewhat lethargic Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 27-12, while up the road at Spriggens Park, Marist could not make themselves safe on the table after a 33-7 defeat to Waverley Harvesting Border.

Picking up a bonus point win, Rātana (3-6) have closed to within two points of Marist (2-2-5) to make the game a virtual quarterfinal on their home turf.

“It was a bit of an ambush [last weekend], but we were pretty confident, we had a good training and we were just trying to find ways to use our attacking weapons,” said experienced assistant coach Cornel Mason, who is helping player-coach Jamie Hughes in his return to his home club for their return to Premier.

“The tails really got up. We just did the basics and any opportunity to attack, we just attacked.

“If we can get over the line on Saturday, everything’s possible. Our first year back, to be given an opportunity is awesome.”

Powerful midfielder Lafo Takiari scored a double, while former representative fullback Cody Hemi and Rotorua-based first-five Akira Mako also dotted down.

Rātana have improved in the second round, with the arrival of blindside flanker Brett Joyes adding a grafting dimension so Hughes did not have extra workload at openside, being ably assisted by veteran Marius Joseph in the loose forwards, along with Hughes’ fellow Steelform Whanganui wider squad members Tawhiwhi Karaitiana and prop Kereti Tamou.

“They are the ones really leading us. There’s 15 guys holding the team together,” said Mason.

Takiari’s midfield partner Mitai Hemi is also in the Whanganui training group, along with fellow backs Petera Patea-Koro and Brooklyn Herewini.

“[With Kaierau] it’s overwhelming that the young guys got through it,” said Mason.

“They got up for it. We need to achieve that again.

“Win or lose, I’m really proud of them, just to say we stood up.”

The irony is the man looking to mastermind his Marist team keeping Rātana from making the semifinals in their first year back in Premier is the coach from their previous season up in 2019 – Steelie Koro.

Koro and his assistant Duane Brown, taking over the Premier squad after back-to-back Senior title wins with Ali Arc Logistics Marist Celtic, timed it right with their resources in the last meeting between the sides on May 11 th at Spriggens.

Marist won 38-20 after pulling away in the final quarter, with 24 points being scored from their bench as Whanganui squad members Josaia Bogileka and Samu Kubunavanua came on to get tries.

Work commitments have kept Kubunavanua away from Marist more than they would like, especially after promising youngster and fellow Whanganui group flanker Jayden Garland-Lower injured his leg.

Stepping up in their absence has been Connor O’Leary, in the Whanganui group alongside his cousin and lock Ben O’Leary, while representative hooker Alesana Tofa has also been used on the side of the scrum.

Wider rep group halfback Daniel Kauika has been top scorer with 41 points, and either he or first five Wiremu Morgan (14 points) will handle the all-important goal-kicking duties - given Marist can play for a draw or even just a couple of bonus points could get them through under various scenarios.

Wingers Clive Stowers and Ioane Hough-Aki have scored three tries this season, while doubles have come from Connor O’Leary and another Whanganui group member in second-five Jamie Robertson.

But it really is Whanganui incumbent Bogileka who can make the difference – whether starting or off the bench he has scored seven tries this season, including the only one last weekend with Border.

In the other games, Kaierau will be hunting to get back the home semifinal spot they let slip against Rātana when they host the already-eliminated Marton at the Country Club.

That can only happen if Byford’s Readimix Taihape loses on their toughest away game of the campaign – facing Border at Dallison Park.

Having secured top spot a fortnight ago, Border will be eager to reclaim the Whanganui Rugby Challenge Shield they surrendered to Taihape on May 11th, 17-14 at Memorial Park.

To do so would keep Border on track to become the first Premier side in 11 years to win the ‘Triple Crown’ of the Paul Mitchell Cup (first round points leader), Challenge Shield and Rosebowl Trophy (season champions).

Tasman Tanning Premier Draw, June 22, 2.35pm kickoffs unless noted
Border vs Taihape, Dallison Park
Rātana vs Marist, Rātana Pa
Kaierau, vs Marton, Country Club