MANNING Ratz coach Jake Maurirere is critical of the Lower North Coast Rugby Union semi-final format, saying it doesn’t reward the third placed side.
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The Ratz look to have sealed third spot on the ladder with five games remaining before the start of the semi-finals. However, the major and minor semi-final will be played at the minor premier’s home ground. Either Forster-Tuncurry or Wallamba will be the minor premier.
“They changed the (semi-final) format in about 2011 or 2012,’’ Maurirere said.
“Before then the third placed side hosted the minor semi-final. I think we should go back to that. It’s a fairer system.
“There’s no incentive to finish third as it stands now. We’ll play either Myall Coast or Gloucester at Nabiac or Tuncurry in the minor semi instead of getting a home ground advantage.’’
Maurirere argued the current system also impacts on the third placed club’s capacity to raise funds.
“It we hosted the minor semi we’d get the canteen and bar,’’ he pointed out.
The Ratz play Forster-Tuncurry at Tuncurry tomorrow. A win over Myall Coast Mud Crabs last Saturday has pushed the Ratz more than 10 points clear of the fourth placed Mud Crabs. However, the Ratz have no hope of overhauling either Forster-Tuncurry or Wallamba and moving into second spot.
Maurirere said he doesn’t know why the previous system, with the major and minor semi-finals at separate venues, was changed.
Winner of the major semi-final hosts the grand final. The final is played at losing major semi team’s home ground.
This means Manning Ratz last game at Taree will be against Myall Coast on Saturday July 29 – the last round of the competition-proper. Either Myall Coast or Gloucester will finish fourth.
Mid North Coast Zone chief executive Bob Wilson said the decision to play the Lower North Coast major and minor semi-finals at the one ground was made by the clubs at a zone annual meeting.
“That was years ago,’’ Mr Wilson said.
He added all clubs get a chance to share the canteen.
The Lower North Coast is a one grade competition and this was the main reason for the change. Minor grades are played in the Upper Mid North Coast premiership.
“There’s only two games (in the Lower North Coast semi-finals). Up north they play over two days because there’s four of five games with the lower grades,’’ Mr Wilson pointed out.
“If we play the (LNC) semi-finals at the one ground with the two games we get more people and more atmosphere.
“If the Ratz aren’t happy about the way it is tell them to send me an e-mail.’’
