WATCH REPLAY: GCDRU Semi-Final: Nerang Bulls v Helensvale Hogs

The Nerang Bulls will field as many as five players from the same family in the biggest game the club has played since the 2008 Grand Final. WATCH THE REPLAY NOW

The Nerang Bulls will fight for their first GCDRU first grade premiership since 2006 after defeating reigning champions Helensvale 17-13 in Sunday’s minor semi-final.

The Bulls survived a late yellow card to repel the Hogs advance and book their place in the decider.

Tune in to the replay from 7pm.

MATCH REPORT

GRIFFITH University Colleges Knights and Nerang Bulls will contest the Gold Coast and District Rugby Union grand final after surviving thrilling conclusions to their semi-final clashes.

Next weekend’s decider will be Colleges’ fifth-straight grand final appearance while Nerang have a chance to make history by wining their first title since 2006.

History will ensure both clubs come ready to play on Saturday.

For Nerang, a premiership would erase the foul taste left by their demotion to second grade three years ago.

Spectators on the Gold Coast Bulletin livestream and at Surfers Paradise rugby club were treated to an exciting finish in the minor semi-final, with Nerang holding out the Helensvale Hogs, 17-13.

Nerang Bulls rugby union club coach John Maniapoto. Photo by Richard Gosling

A yellow card to Bulls substitute outside back Hezekiah Tamatea-Maniapoto, for tackling without arms, set up a grandstand finish to the clash, with a try all that stood between Helensvale and a return to the grand final.

The Hogs had the perfect platform to launch their attack but failed to control the ball, sending Nerang into a final in just their second season since returning from second grade.

“It’s huge for us as a club,” coach Johnny Maniapoto said.

“To be honest I think it puts us back on the map again. For so long Nerang has been out in the doldrums.

“Over the years we’ve been belted around a lot and numbers were really low for a little while.

“There’s a core group of young fellas keeping the club alive and having seen how low we’ve gone, all of a sudden it feels like we’re getting there.

“We’re making sure we earn respect in Gold Coast rugby.

“We’re happy with the win today but the biggest thing for us is knuckling down and working really hard this week.”

Nerang Bulls' Jovi Isaac tackled. Picture: Supplied

Nerang’s fast start was arguably the difference.

At the half-hour mark tries to monster prop Jean Bosco Paagalau and skipper Josh Edmond at halfback had the Bulls ahead 12-0.

Helensvale hit back through fullback Jamie McCaa before flyhalf Tim Koiatu added two quick penalties to open the second half to lead 13-12.

Nerang scored the game’s decisive try in the 63rd minute when winger Adam Sloan crossed on the right wing to take back the lead, 17-13.

The late send-off to Tamatea-Maniapoto set the semi-final on a knife edge but Nerang prevailed in final play.

EARLIER

The Nerang Bulls will field as many as five players from the same family in the biggest game the club has played since the 2008 Grand Final.

The Bulls made the semi-finals last year in their first season since returning from a season in second grade but could not progress any further.

This time, players pledge, nothing will stop them from reaching the Grand Final again.

The bond shared by the team is unbreakable, not just because of the friendships they have formed.

The Nerang Bulls will field five first cousins in their team to take on reigning premiers Helensvale Hogs in Sunday's GCDRU grand final. Ezra Tuitapa-Isaac, Danen Isaac, Tyran Isaac, Addi Isaac and Jovi Isaac. Picture: Jerad Williams

In search of players for their 2020 campaign coach John-Henry Maniapoto put out the call for his 2019 squad to bring a mate or two down to the club.

No.8 Jovi Isaac listened.

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His first recruit was his little brother Danen. Then his uncle Willie’s grandsons, Tyran and Ezra, and more cousins in Luther and Addi.

Before long the Bulls pack and sidelines had been transformed into an Isaac family reunion.

“It’s an amazing feeling to run out there with your family,” said Jovi, a former Mebourne Rebels training squad member.

“Not to say that playing with others is different but it’s very special when you’re playing with your blood.

“It’s a big thing in rugby to bleed for your teammates but when you’re family that connection is just that little bit deeper.”

The Nerang Bulls will field five first cousins in their team to take on reigning premiers Helensvale Hogs in Sunday's GCDRU grand final. Tyran Isaac being lifted up . Picture: Jerad Williams

All six Isaac cousins play in the forwards but Jovi, Addi, Ezra and Tyran are the diesel engine that has powered Nerang’s first grade side into a semi-final showdown with the Helensvale Hogs on Sunday. The sides have history.

Helensvale slammed shut Nerang’s fairytale book in last year’s preliminary final, 31-15, en route to their own incredible premiership win.

Nerang have bounced back to sweep the defending champs in the regular season, 25-15 at home in round three and 17-24 at Helensvale in round 10.

The game will be livestreamed on goldcoastbulletin.com.au from 4pm Sunday.

There will be no second-chances with a place in the final, to take on the winner of Griffith University Colleges Knights and Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators in Saturday’s semi-final clash.

The Knights capped off their dominant regular season, securing 64 of 65 possible competition points from round two-onawards, with a 31-10 victory over PBC just last week.

That win knocked the Gators from second on the ladder to fourth, booking a rematch one week later in the semi-final with even higher stakes.

The Gators have had seven days to learn from their mistakes.

If they haven’t, they will share the same fate as Nerang in 2019 - eliminated at the penultimate hurdle in their first season back in first grade.