Finals Series Week One at Conolly Rugby Park, Wagga
There are also games out at Kapooka for the 3rd Grade and Under 17’s teams, check out the
SIRU website for more details of these matches.
10am CRP #2 – City v Coota – First Division Minor Semi (2nd Grade)
City 2nds have performed reasonably well considering how their 1st Grade side has travelled this year. Coota will give City a run in this one, but I think the early start and an hour’s travel will play into City’s hands.
10:15am CRP #1 –Tumut v Leeton – First Division Major Semi (2nd Grade)
With the likes of George Molineuax running around for the Bulls, it’s hard to go past Tumut in this one. Leeton 2nds deserve some wraps for finishing 2nd on the ladder in 2nd grade considering it has been a tough year for the Firsts.
11:30am CRP #2 – CSU v Albury – Premier Division Minor Semi (2nd Grade)
Backing up from what were two very willing games last week will be tough for these two teams. My gut feeling is that CSU will get away with this one as they have a long history of performing at finals time in 2nds, watch out for Dutton at 10 for CSU.
11:45am CRP#1 – Aggies v Tahs – Premier Division Major Semi (2nd Grade)
There are plenty of players in both these teams who would walk into 1st grade at other clubs in the zone and this game will showcase this talent. Watch out for the match up between the hard running Aggies players and bone crunching defence of Davey Walker at the Tahs.
1:00pm CRP#2 – Tumut v Young – First Division Minor Semi (1st Grade)
It’s time for these two teams to let it all hang out. The two forward packs here are reasonably well matched, I think fitness will come into play in this match with the final 10-15mins of each half being crucial. Michael McGee will be the leader of the Young forward pack, while the mercurial Jock Mason will want to finish his final season on a high. Tumut have players returning at the right time of year and will be dangerous in this one.
1:15pm CRP #1 – Temora v Coota – First Division Major Semi (1st Grade)
Coota put the wringers through Temora a few weeks ago, but Temora have found some form recently and will be stoked to get Bill McCrone back for this match. There are some likely suspects in this one who really enjoy the tough contests, particularly in the forwards. Both back lines enjoy spinning the ball and will need their forwards to support them out wide. The team that controls their first up tackles in this one will do well as both sides enjoy putting shots on (they also fall off a few late in the half though).
2:55pm CRP#1 – Albury v CSU – Premier Division Minor Semi (1st Grade)
CSU only lost on penalties to Aggies last week, while Albury seemed to lose everywhere against Tahs. Albury have looked promising in the big games this year and need to show their teeth on Saturday for Tahs or Aggies to be worried about them.
Don’t take CSU lightly in this one, they can play a solid finals game and will be more focussed on winning this week. The return of Pat Hunter at 7 will help the Reddies, while Albury will hope Justin Wheatley’s knee travels to Wagga this weekend.
Two different styles will be on show here as CSU play the quick ruck ball across the park versus Albury’s ‘compress before expansion’ policy. Albury will score points from a driving forward pack while CSU will have big runners off 10 and tactical kicking.
I think the team that supports their 5/8 will fair very well in this one as Justin Wheatley and Paul Hood are two handy operators and will take all the opportunities given to them. Also watch the match up between Joe Tora and Nathan Bright, their hitups will be massive.
4:30pm CRP #1 – Tahs v Aggies – Premier Division Major Semi (1st Grade)
These two sides bring good form to this match albeit on varying scales. While Tahs were cold and clinical, capitalising on every mistake Albury made, Aggies took points when on offer and played the game out against CSU last week.
Aggies had some issues with their front row last week and will want to have them sorted before showing up against the Tahs. Although Tahs tight five have their own issues, the backrows will be good to watch as they each have unique strengths and weaknesses.
The inside backs are evenly matched, with Xavier Chigwidden and Pete Armstrong being two handy 9’s while the two 10’s (Jayden Stanton and Dan Moloney) are reasonably inexperienced and will be interesting to watch as they have a tendency to go into their shells if things don’t go well for them early on.
Aggies will appreciate having the Woodhouse brothers back in the bottle green, while Tahs have welcomed Pat Barrett back with open arms.
The key to winning this one will be to plug the holes around the breakdown, defend the maul effectively and back your defence out wide. Both teams have a solid mauling game and classy backs so it should be an even contest from that point of view.
These two teams have played each other so often over the last few seasons, it’s hard to tip as they know each other so well and there has been a bit of a see-saw battle going on. I think the counter attack and opportunistic nature of the Tahs is a real asset to them as they crucify teams for any mistakes and play to advantage well.
If Aggies are calm and controlled, they are in this, but they can’t afford to lose their heads and must control the mental aspect as well as they can control the physical side of their game.