Warringah Rat’s reveals personal motivation in Shute Shield finals

WARRINGAH’S emotional premiership win two years ago has provided backrower Boyd Killingworth some special motivation with the club on the verge of their third straight grand final.

Backrower Boyd Killingworth has been a big addition to the Warringah Rats side.

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WARRINGAH’S emotional premiership win two years ago has provided backrower Boyd Killingworth some special motivation with the club on the verge of their third straight Shute Shield grand final appearance.

The Rats 24-7 semi-final win over Norths on the weekend means they will play Eastwood this Saturday at North Sydney Oval with the victor to take on the winner of the Sydney University v Norths game in the grand final.

“One of my best great rugby moments was just watching the Rats win that premiership and I wasn’t part of it,” Killingworth said.

There were emotional scenes when Warringah won the 2017 grand final. Picture: AAP

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“I think I teared up there so I’m so happy I’ll get an opportunity to play in a grand final if we win this week.

“It would be a dream come true winning a premiership with my junior club.”

Killingworth was part of the Australian sevens program in 2016 and his recent return to the Rats has been a massive addition to the side.

He made a big impact on Saturday especially with his work at the breakdown.

“I think my sevens days were numbered so it’s tough in an Olympic year, but I just want to be playing where someone wants me,” he said.

“I had that tough conversation you don’t want to hear but I appreciate the honesty.

“I had a great four years there with lots of good memories and I wish them all the luck next season.”

Boyd Killingworth pulls off a big tackle against Norths on Saturday. Picture: Rising Sun Photography.

And he is happy to be back playing on the northern beaches where his rugby career all started.

“Nothing tops playing for the Rats club and that was my first ever finals win in Rats colours,” he said.

Coach Mark Gerrard said Killingworth possessed a skill set that was rare for an openside backrower.

“Boyd’s running game and his over the ball game is totally different to a lot of other guys,” Gerrard said.

“It is a huge asset to our team because he nullifies their attack but gives us that attacking opportunity.

“I can guarantee not all sevens have that attribute, he is in a very rare mould that he can do those two comfortably.”

Harley Attwater did an excellent job filling in for skipper Hamish Angus at No, 10,

Gerrard believes Saturday’s performance will stand the side in good stead for Saturday’s do or die clash against Eastwood.

Warringah five-eighth Harley Attwater takes on the Norths line. Picture: Rising Sun Photography.

“Our whole mentality was about physicality and aggression in what we do and at the same time being really controlled and patient in attack and defence,” he said.

Even in the last five minutes on Saturday the team was still playing with what Gerrard described as a “ruthless intensity”.

But he said there were also many opportunities that the team gave away to Norths and that is something they will address in the build-up to Saturday.

A gutsy Manly Marlins bowed out going down fighting to the powerhouse Sydney University in their semi-final 47-31 on Saturday.

“I couldn’t have asked more from the boys,” said Marlins coach Brian Melrose. “We certainly had them at sixes and sevens for a long time.”

The Marlins ‘ plan to play a high tempo game with width resulted in the team scoring some terrific tries on Saturday.

“We weren’t going to win by kicking to the corner and hoping to outmuscle them,” Melrose said.

“I don’t know if they will get a bigger fight in the finals.”