Kasi Sami of the Tahunanui Tigers crosses the try line during Saturday’s win over the Victory Phoenix Vikings. Photo: Phillip Rollo.

Cobras out to end Tigers’ run

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The Tahunanui Tigers remain the only unbeaten side in the TRL, but if the Stoke Cobras have anything to say about it, that streak won’t be lasting long.
Cobras player-coach Troy Wilson says this will be the first time in two years that his side goes into the fixture as underdogs, with the Tigers stretching its winning streak with a 54-8 victory over the Victory Phoenix Vikings. But he is still confident the Cobras back up with another two points following its 14-10 win over the Wanderers Wolves on Saturday. “I know the Tigers are out for our blood after last year’s semi-final but we’re all men and we’re all going to be bashing ourselves next Saturday,” he says. “They came flying back at the end of last season and won five in a row until they hit us in the semis, which was decided in the final seconds of the game. I think this game will be won by the fittest team so we just need to stick to our game plan and our structure.”
Tahunanui Tigers player-coach Peter Akuhata says this weekend’s game will be an important one for the club. “We always expect a lot from the Cobras because they’re two-time champions and we won’t be underestimating them,” he says. “A lot of time will be spent at training this week just making sure the team is at our best.”
The Stoke Cobras will take on the Tahunanui Tigers at Lower Ngawhatu at the earlier time of 1pm. The other two fixtures, which see the Richmond Rabbits face the Victory Phoenix Vikings at Lower Ngawhatu, and the Wanderers Wolves taking on the Wairau Taniwha in Brightwater, will both kick off at 2:30pm.