48 RUGBY UNION SATURDAY JULY 26 2014 Finals frontier new territory as pressure hits home THE Waratahs haven’t lost a W a r a t a h s nitely been in this environ- minor premiership, which has It’s war on game at home all season – a re- skipper Mi- ment before and it’s got to allowed the players to iron out cord they are determined to chael Hooper, count for something. any minor niggles. protect against fierce rivals the who leads the “We’ve got guys who But Hooper admits he Brumbies in the most import- side in the ab- haven’t been here before, but would have preferred to keep ant game of their season. sence of Dave you’ve got to do it at some the momentum going. But it’s a new challenge for Dennis, says the all-Australian point if you want to be contest- With home ground advan- Tahs for many of them. decider against his former club ing for the final. tage, the Waratahs go into the While the Brumbies are in is the biggest Super Rugby “We feel we deserve to be game as clear favourites. their second consecutive finals game of his career. here and we’ve played really However, Hooper insists campaign, the last time the “A lot of guys will be in the well in the last weeks.” the pressure is no more intense Waratahs made the playoff’s same situation,” he said. The Waratahs enjoyed a than it has been all season with Brumbies was back in 2011. “The Brumbies have defi- week off after claiming the rising expectations. By CARLY ADNO historic win over the Bulls. But Mowen insists it doesn’t get “WARATAHS games are the any bigger than coming up most important for the Brum- against a Waratahs side that bies – that’s just the way it is.” has delivered on its promises The feeling couldn’t be throughout the season. more adequately summed up “This is bigger,” he said. by Brumbies skipper Ben “That was obviously a great Mowen ahead of the biggest milestone for the team to Super Rugby clash in NSW achieve that, but I think the since 2002. way the Waratahs have played It’s the fiercest of rivalries, this year, they’ve really which dates to 1996 when the stamped themselves on the competition first began. competition. They’ve made no The Brumbies have beaten bones from the start that the Waratahs only twice in they’ve wanted to be where Sydney since then, but one of they are now and to do that at those victories came in the the start of the season and then 2002 semi-final. They won achieve it is a big thing because that 51-10. there’s a lot of pressure.” But Mowen knows this sea- The Waratahs have already son’s Waratahs are a class act. claimed the minor premier- “These clashes mean a lot to ship, but a potential weakness both sides and I think the in their lineout was exposed added part to that is the during their last game against Waratahs have been the most the Reds two weeks ago. consistent side this year,” And it didn’t go unnoticed. Mowen said. “The lineout can be a factor, “So going into the finals, but it’s not going to win you a you want to measure yourself game and it’s certainly not against the best and they’ve going to lose you the game. But obviously finished first and it’s an area we could possibly lead the game statistically in a look to apply a bit of pressure,” lot of areas. Mowen said. University’s Michael Mason and his Pirates teammates will be raging hot favourites against Palmerston Picture: ELISE DERWIN “It would be special to Both sides are likely to play knock off the side that’s been attacking rugby – in front of an so consistent this year.” expected sellout – but Mowen The Brumbies travelled to believes the winner will be Pirates have wind in their sails Pretoria at the same stage last decided by who handles the season, where they recorded a pressure best on the night. By BRIAN ANDERSON team “will play simple old direct passage into the grand FINALS FEVER school rugby, ball in hand”. final in a fortnight. The SUPER RUGBY THE Darwin Club Rugby Despite the statistics Cougars are undefeated this season enters its business end NTRU - Finals Week 1 weighing heavily in their year and their last match SEMI-FINAL tonight with both semi-finals Major Semi-Final favour it would be foolhardy against the Rabbitohs on June WARATAHS V BRUMBIES set for decision at Rugby Park Casuarina v South Darwin for the Pirates to enter the 21 was played at a frenetic pace. from 5.15pm and 7pm. Rugby Park 7pm match with any degree of Casuarina won that game Tonight, 7.40pm, Allianz Stadium The 38th annual semi-final complacency. 28-10, but a late try that night TV: Live on Fox Sports Minor Semi-Final series will see University enter University v Palmerston Palmerston’s Round 13 exaggerated the difference Waratahs $1.33, Brumbies $3.35 an elimination match against Rugby Park 5.15pm match against South Darwin between the two sides. Israel Folau 15 Jesse Mogg Palmerston as raging hot was an indication of how the With the forward packs Alofa Alofa 14 Henry Speight favourites to progress to next Crocs can match it with the evenly matched, fly half Adam Ashley-Cooper 13 Tevita Kuridran week’s preliminary final competition’s big guns. Keegan Neal holds the key to Reserves Kurtley Beale 12 Christian Lealiifano Reserves against the loser of the major- score of 38-7 against Only a late penalty goal South’s success as he tries to semi between Casuarina and University and stay alive for at secured a 24-21 victory for the create opportunities for Tolu Latu Rob Horne 11 Robbie Coleman Ruaidhri Murphy South Darwin. least another week. Rabbitohs. centres Henry Berns and Paddy Ryan Bernard Foley 10 Matt Toomua Ruan Smith In the three encounters But Palmerston are unfazed University’s forward pack Whittmer Tuputala to get Nick Phipps Nic White Jeremy Tilse 9 Allan Alaalatoa between them this year the by the challenge ahead of them spearheaded by skipper Frank through the almost Will Skelton Wycliff Palu 8 Ben Mowen (c) Fotu Auelua Pirates have racked up 115 with captain Antony Smith Jennings will be the key to unbreakable Cougar defence. Mitchell Chapman Michael Hooper (c) 7 Jarrad Butler Tom McVerry points while the Crocs have upbeat about his side’s setting up the platform to Neal’s opposite number at Pat McCutcheon Stephen Hoiles 6 Scott Fardy Michael Dowsett managed to score just four tries. chances. “If we play nice maximise the offensive Casuarina is the talented New Brendan McKibbin Kane Douglas 5 Sam Carter Joe Tomane Palmerston lost the last disciplined rugby, we can beat prowess of Shaun Wauchope. Zealander Nate Lamb, a first- Taqele Naiyaravaro Jacques Potgieter 4 Leon Power Pat McCabe three matches of the regular them,” he said. The major semi-final year player at the Cougars who Matt Carraro Sekope Kepu 3 Ben Alexander season and it would seem an The Crocs are at full between Casuarina and South has played an instrumental Cam Crawford Tatafu Polota-Nau 2 Josh Mann-Rea insurmountable task to expect strength for the first time in Darwin should be a torrid role in Casuarina’s run of 15 (two to be omitted) Benn Robinson 1 Scott Sio them to reverse an average weeks, with Smith adding his encounter as both teams seek matches without loss. my territory EELS IN THE TOP END MY PARRAMATTA THURS 7th AUG: SAT 9th AUG: SUN 10th AUG: Meet the Eels at Enjoy frst class NRL Relax at Waterfront EELS VS Mindil Markets action Eels v Raiders and meet the Eels RAIDERS from 5.30pm Kick Off 8:00pm squad from 10:30am TICKETS ON SALE NOW Darwin Entertainment Centre or yourcentre.com.au SATURDAY AUGUST 9 - 8PM TIO STADIUM DARWIN NTNE01Z01MA - V1.