Final round
The Southern Hoiho and Mainland Pouākai have been dealt an unfortunate draw, leaving them with only one game in the final round. Northern Kāhu, Tokomanawa Queens and Whai will all play two games, which bodes well for all three battling for playoff positions. They get under way tonight when the Queens play the Pouākai, followed by the Whai playing the Hoiho tomorrow. The Queens are back on the court on Saturday against Kāhu and the Kāhu and Whai will play the final game of the round on Monday.
Rapid League
Wins in the new quickfire league - played before the Tauihi games - count for one point, which goes towards the team’s Tauihi standings. Every team has used the league differently, either to develop their bench players or using imports to gain extra points. The Hoiho have won only one Rapid game this season, which has pushed them to third spot. But the Queens, who the Hoiho have beaten in every Tauihi game this season, have seven Rapid wins to sit second at present. The Pouākai, who are bottom of the table, are the inaugural Rapid champions having won 10 games.
Playoffs
The top four make the playoffs, held in Porirua next weekend. Semifinals get under way on September 9 between 1 v 4 and 2 v 3. The semifinal winners advance to the final on September 10. The losers will play off for third place.
Positions
The Kāhu (26 points), Queens (22) and Hoiho (22) have secured their spots, but there is room for movement in their final positions.
The Pouākai (16) are also in with a chance to overtake the Whai (18). The Canterbury team would need to win their last Tauihi and Rapid games to finish on 20 points. But they will need the Whai to lose both their games this weekend.
If the Whai win both games this weekend, they will finish on 24 points and jump ahead of the Hoiho into third spot. If the Whai win one game, and one Rapid game, they will finish on 22 points - the same as the Hoiho, if they lose to the Whai. But the Hoiho need to beat the Whai to secure 25 points, and either second or third spot.
A Rapid win would push them to 26 points, but their position will depend on the Queens, who have two games this weekend. The Queens, currently in second position, ideally want to win both games to secure second. If they win one game, without a Rapid win, they will be on level points with the Hoiho, if the Hoiho win.
However, the Queens are the second most dominant Rapid team and should collect at least one point. The Kāhu should stay at the top. If they win both games they will finish on 32 points to easily secure the place. One win should also be enough.
Tauihi
The standings
| P | W | L | RW | PTS | |
| Northern Kāhu | 10 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 26 |
| Tokomanawa Queens | 10 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 22 |
| Southern Hoiho | 11 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 22 |
| Whai | 10 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 18 |
| Mainland Pouākai | 11 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 16 |
