Kahurangi crowned Tasman champions

Kahurangi are the rugby kings of Tasman after a hard-fought win over Central this afternoon.

In a rematch of last year's final, the tables were turned as Kahurangi stormed home to win 20-12 in front of home fans at Sports Park Motueka.

It was a game that had both sets of supporters on the edge of their seats, with neither side able to build a comfortable lead.

Both teams looked to play conservative finals rugby, engaging in a battle of territory that saw the majority of early play through the midfield.

Kahurangi struck first, kicking for the corner from a penalty and earning another to put points on the board through the boot of Willie Havili.

A missed penalty chance for Kahurangi saw them unable to grow their lead, having to take just three points into the half-time sheds.

While Central snatched the lead with some last-gasp heroics as they kept the pressure up and opted against taking the points on the stroke of half time.

Captain Braden Stewart dotting the ball down from a pick-and-go after four penalties inside the Kahurangi 22.

The start of the second half saw Kahurangi retake the lead, capitalising on a struggling Central lineout.

Turning the ball over, halfback Louie Chapman put a clever box kick in behind the line that bounced and bobbled and Central were never able to clean up.

Through the mess, prop Shunsuke Sakamoto snatched the ball and dived over the line in a defining moment for the game.

While Central scored again, with captain Quentin MacDonald at the back of the maul after a penalty kick for the corner, it was Kahunragi's day.

Another fantastic box kick from Louie saw the ball stop on a dime for the flying Willie Havili to snatch the ball out of the air as he soared above MacDonald.

With the work not over, Cruden had to reach out at full stretch to dot the ball down for a self-converted try to put their lead out to eight points.

As the momentum turned, Kahurangi continued to mount the pressure, and the Central scrum started to disintegrate.

Despite the adversity, the visitors fought to the final whistle but couldn't put any more points on the board.

Central captain Braden Stewart says they made too many mistakes to come away winners for the third year running.

"A lot of our own mistakes piled up and Kahurangi are a good side. They pounced on a few of our mistakes.

"I'm still proud of my boys. We'll be back."

He says the decision to forgo points on the board from penalties was a decision they didn't even question.

"We've done that all year and that's what got us here, so why change it."

Kahurangi's captain, Josh Te Hira, was lost for words after the win, saying it's been years in the making.

"I can't describe whether I'm stoked or relieved.

"Theyboys deserve this one. That whole 80 minutes, all the boys bodies were on the line playing for each other."

Having lost to Central to kick off their season, he says it's incredible to see how the team it around this year.

"From going to not having the numbers at training [then] to today, look how far we've come. "I'm a bit speechless, really. The rugby gods looked down on us today."

Josh wanted to thank everyone who had got behind the team this season, with a special mention for their partners.

"The wives and girlfriends picking up the extra slack. It's not just Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, it takes over our lives for the whole 14 weeks."