Tasman Trophy semi-finals promise plenty of thrills
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
A bumper day of club rugby is set for Trafalgar Park on Saturday with both Stuff Tasman Trophy semi-finals promising tight encounters and plenty of tries.
Marist, who had already sewn up first place, were able to rest key players in their final round match against Kahurangi at Sports Park, Motueka, but still got up to win in the dying minutes to finish the regular season with only one loss.
They take on Central in the 3pm kick-off on on Saturday, after the Marlborough men pushed Nelson all the way in a bid to keep their home semi-final chances alive before going down by five points.
Marist coach Nic Smith said there was no doubt Central would be tough opponents after rediscovering their form to beat Waimea and go close against Nelson.
“They’ve got some quality players and you start getting Quentin [MacDonald] into the mix and obviously Jim Tavatavnawai, that is a hell of a threat. It’s gonna be a battle.”
Smith said it was huge for his team to be able to rest players that had been carrying injuries and all should be available for Saturday, including the Thornalley, Sauira and Kilworth brothers, and No 10 Cooper Grant back from Crusaders duty.
Nelson will play Waimea Old Boys in the other semi-final at 12.45pm, with the Richmond club making light work of a tricky match against resurgent Stoke. Nelson and Waimea have beaten each other in the regular season, and finished only a point apart, so a place in the final is likely to come down to fine margins.
Nelson coach Tom Marshall said Nelson’s 40-26 win over Waimea last month was built on the pace and fitness of their backs, whereas in the earlier season 43-26 loss Waimea’s forwards “beat us up a little bit”.
He was happier the match was being played at Trafalgar Park instead of Waimea’s stronghold at Jubilee Park, and with fine weather forecast it should be a good occasion for Tasman rugby.
“I’d like the defence to be a little better than it has been, but I think it will be pretty free-flowing and I think there’ll be plenty of tries.”
Nelson will be without young winger Mikey Morrison who was concussed in the Central match.
Waimea coach Kaide Whiting said a couple of forwards were carrying knocks but he was hopeful of a full strength team for the semi-final.
He said the keys would be to match Nelson up front, contain their lethal backs, and unleash their own game. No 10 Campbell Parata had his best game of the season against Stoke, Whiting said, and would be a pivotal figure.
“Hopefully it will be a good, dry day and a doubleheader at Trafalgar Park will be quite cool.”
Kahurangi 36 Marist 39
After falling behind to a fired-up home team early, the makeshift Marist side mounted a comeback that ended with wing Filimona Kama scoring in the corner - the second week in a row he has grabbed the winning try.
It’s been a difficult year for Kahurangi, but they showed a lot of character on club day at Sports Park, Motueka. It was also a day of celebration for the 125th anniversary of the Huia Rugby Club, with All Blacks great Kieran Read speaking at the jubilee dinner.
Nelson 41 Central 36
Central flew out of the blocks to lead 21-10 at halftime before Nelson stormed back in the third quarter to establish a handy lead. However, Central refused to go away, scoring two late tries to narrow the final margin.
Nelson coach Marshall said Izaiah Kamana, returning from injury at centre, had a strong game, as did loose forward Matt Lowe, who signed this month for the Tasman Mako through to 2028.
Stoke 24 Waimea 61
Stoke’s resurgence ran into a formidable Waimea team, who scored early and often to quiet the crowd at Greenmeadows. Waimea coach Whiting said the whole forward pack stepped up, including lock Jeen Salton who scored two tries playing his 50th game for the club.
Points: Marist 47, Nelson 35, Waimea 34, Central 28, Kahurangi 14, Stoke 14.
In the Stuff Women’s Tasman Trophy, unbeaten leaders Kahurangi marched on with a 56-0 win over Marist, while Waimea beat Moutere 64-17 to stay second.