Premier rugby decider: University will play Easts in the Premier rugby grand final today
Easts champion Ben Mowen will retire from rugby after today’s grand final, but when he walks away from the Tigers den, his legacy will remain forever more. Mowen will lead Easts against University at Ballymore.
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Easts champion Ben Mowen will retire from rugby after today’s grand final, but when he walks away from the Tigers den, his legacy will remain forever more.
Mowen, the former Wallaby captain, will lead his beloved Easts into the Hospital Cup Premier rugby decider at Ballymore against the champion University side.
“He has been outstanding,’’ said Easts coach Moses Raulini.
“We have had him for the full season and I understand why he was a Wallaby captain.
“He has been great on and off the field, he has inspired the boys and they have learned a lot from him.
“And his leadership has helped guys coming through who are future leaders of the club.
“He has done a great service to the club for many years to come.’’
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Two worlds will collide when the Tigers clash with University.
The Red Heavies, with more time in possession this season than any other team, will confront an Easts outfit which has the least amount of time handling possession.
“That tells you we are going to play with the ball and Easts are looking at different pressure positions,’’ said University assistant coach Elton Berrange.
Both will be contrasting styles, yet both have been ruthlessly effective in their own ways.
Purists will salivate watching Easts’ players go about their work.With a powerhouse scrum and secure lineout, Easts have a well organised mauling and pick-and-drive game, supported by strong defence and an astute kicking game.
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On paper Easts play perfect finals’ football, having learnt the hard way in last year’s semi-final series when Raulini said “we got humiliated’’ by Uni.
“We promised ourselves that we never want that to happen again’’.
University, on the other hand, asking questions of the defence and challenging defensive units to dare stop them.
“If we are allowed to play our game, we will win, and if Easts are allowed to play their game, they will win. It is the battle of two contrasting styles,’’ Berrange said.
The Easts scrum, polished by the astute expertise of scrum and contact coach Simon Craig, will be dangerous.
Indeed twice this season the set piece has challenged University and the Mick Heenan-coached University knows the challenge is coming their way.
“Their set piece is outstanding, it is really, really good,’’ Berrange praised.
“Easts know exactly what they want to do and how they want to play.
“They want to dominate at set pieces, play in your half and back their defensive line.’’
Berrange has vowed Uni will be more aggressive at scrum time this time around.
“We have to respect the scrum, but we have to take the bull by the horns and not allow ourselves to be dominated.’’
Asked what has been the secret to the University’s success, Berrange said it was no secret. “We are very fortunate that we have a very stable environment and everyone understands the way we want to play,’’ he said.
He said from colts up the aim was to keep things simple and have players play to their strengths.
NOTE: The couriermail.com.au will cover today’s women’s, colts, second grade and Premier rugby online.
THE TEAMS
EASTS
1. George Francis, 2. Richie Asiata, 3. Rhys Van Nek, 4. Mitch Schneider, 5. Seru Uru, 6. Tom Milosevic (vc), 7.Michael Gunn, 8. Ben Mowen ©, 9. Eli Pilz, 10. Aidan Toua (vc), 11
Max Baker, 12. Matt Smit, 13. Landon Hayes, 14. Shane Kennedy, 15. Dylan Taikato.
UNIVERSITY:
1. Hamish Richardson, 2. Joshua Nasser, 3. Singcho Tamala, 4. Fergus Lillicrap, 5. Connor-James Vest, 6. Conor Mitchell, 7. Pat Morrey, 8. Sam Wallis, 9. Jordan Lenac, 10. Scott Gale, 11. Mac Grealy, 12. james Wood, 13. Cornelius Foley, 14. Samuel Edwards, 15. Jock Campbell