All the trainings, team talks, committee meetings and fundraising efforts have come down to this semi final showdown on who can be best on the day to make the Galbraith Shield Final for 2018.

Pirates Old Boys in fourth seed are more than deserving to take the park on Saturday through their efforts to date. Excitement and unpredictability is something Pirates Old-Boys can attest too in 2018.  The Surrey Park based side have everything to gain as they face top qualifiers Woodlands. After a slow start to the season Pirates Old-Boys have been impressive at times this year as they possess a wealth of fire power in few areas, particularly in the backline; Isala Halaleva, Josh Buchan and Mike Molloy have proven a handful for opposing teams in Premier rugby with their speed and line breaking ability  and they are put into space well by first five Greg Dyer. Led up front by Craig Smith Pirates Old-Boys have been a real threat to opposition sides at scrum time and there is no doubt that is where they will try to target Woodlands.  The two sides played out a nail biter three weeks ago so no doubt this game will again go down to the wire.

The Blues side have had a solid campaign heading into the semi-finals comfortably in third seed. The team are excited, and the boys are pumped up to play good rugby against the Miller Street side. The coaching group are keen to see what their boys can do on the big stage especially with a great mix of youth and experience with the likes of Daniel Townson mixed with Mitch Taylor, Ethan De Groot and Kalani Elder. Another notable name is Sam Winsloe who has been playing some of his best rugby lately that the coaches have seen to date. The unit will also be looking for big games from their contracted Stag players Ray Tatafu and Jay Renton and unfortunately Bill Fukofuka will have to support from the side-line as he is nursing an injury. Blues will look to their slick halves combo of Jay Renton and Mitch Taylor to drive them around the field and give their talented forward pack plenty of direction. Blues supporters can expect a high tempo game from their club side and the outcome will be dependent on who can make the most of the oppositions mistakes.

Kelvin Hotel Marist head into tomorrow’s semi-final with some patchy performances form under their belt in recent weeks but will be boosted by the return of some heavy hitters.  Lock Ben Fotheringham will return after suffering a knee injury three weeks ago.  He will be joined by Stags and NZ U20 hooker Flynn Thomas who will re-join the starting line-up after spending the past two months with the NZ U20 side in France.  Apart from Jack Nally, who is still nursing an ankle sprain, Marist have a full complement of healthy players this week and will be wanting to put in a performance they have been searching for all season.  They will have to be on their game though, coming up against a young, exciting Blues team who are making their first semi-final appearance in several years. Set piece will be an intriguing battle with both sides scattered with a host of players involved in the Stags wider training group and academy up front.  Both teams like to give the ball plenty of air and if the three round robin matches are any indication, this will be a fast-paced match.  Taylor Swan has been handed the whistle for this fixture and will be hoping for a free-flowing game.  Both clubs will have support out in force so make sure you get along at 1.15pm to Rugby Park for the first of two semi-finals to see who progresses to the 2018 Galbraith Shield final.

Woodlands are the top of the standings hosts at Rugby Park on Saturday but are wary of Pirates Old Boys, who in qualifying fourth can approach this game free of pressure and take a nothing to lose approach.  While both sides have talent to burn in the outside backs, it is likely that the battle in the middle of the park, particularly who controls the gain line and breakdown will determine the outcome of this semi-final.  Although Woodlands have produced a great sequence of wins leading into the semi-finals, the team feel they are yet to hit their straps. Preparations this week have focused on backs and forwards playing cohesively so that the team can put together an 80-minute performance of which they can be proud. Woodlands will look to their front row to set the tone, the experienced Jason Rutledge, an abrasive Joe Walsh and a dynamic Ha'amea Ahio work in concert to lead the defensive effort. Woodlands are sweating on the availability of Presley Tufuga, whose athleticism and ball skills running from number eight have confounded many premier defences this season. The team will be directed around the park by Tokahirere Sopoaga at 10, with Nico Costa and Aleki Morris-Lome providing the experience either side of him. With parity gained upfront and smooth service from the inside back combinations, it would take an impressive defensive effort to hold out a back line containing the likes of Tauasosi Tuimavave and Jarel Hemehema not to mention, Jackson and Lewis Ormond, all of whom are either knocking on the door of Stags selection or who have already gained selection.  Woodlands are excited to have a fighting fit squad of 23 available for the match up, with all of the players sitting on the pine having the ability to come on and influence the game. An energetic and focused defensive effort would go a long way to ensuring Woodlands get to attend the big dance next week. All club supporters are encouraged to come along and support Woodlands vs POB, 3pm at Rugby Park on Saturday.

Article added: Friday 13 July 2018