Traditional NT Rugby Union rivals University and Casuarina look for match points

UNIVERSITY’S pursuit of back-to-back NT Rugby Union grand finals runs into a sky blue hurdle at Marrara’s Rugby Park tonight. (Thursday)

Pirates lock Wise Sekitoga is back in the University side against Casuarina tonight.

UNIVERSITY’S pursuit of back-to-back NT Rugby Union grand finals runs into a sky blue hurdle at Marrara’s Rugby Park tonight. (Thursday)

The reigning premier tackles the high flying Casuarina Cougars in an 8pm game after the blue shirts responded to their first loss of the season at the hands of the Darwin Dragons by grinding out a 17-7 win over Palmerston.

University rested five players in last Saturday night’s 50-24 win over an enthusiastic Swampdogs outfit, a decision fly half Robbie Butcher said was all about maintaining freshness and fitness than taking their opponents lightly.

“It’s about the way we structure our season, with the first round a sort of building and restructuring phase,’’ he said.

“We’re still trying different things, different combos and different personnel, which leaves us to focus on what we’re doing and continuing to improve.’’

Casuarina’s joint coach Sam Batty said winning form was good form after his side rebounded from their 79th minute loss to the Dragons.

“We know Uni rested a few players (centre Shaun Wauchope, lock Wise Sekitoga and fullback Shaun ley among them) last week, so we expect them to come out all guns blazing.

“But it’s the same with the whole competition this year. Every side is coming to play with Palmerston stepping up, the Dragons the same and Souths and Uni are always strong.’’

Casuarina’s game plan will remain the same, despite the different opposition.

“We’ll do what we’ve done all season, try and get our share of the ball and provide some space for our backs,’’ Batty said.

“From there we’ll look for point scoring opportunities and weaknesses in the University defence.

“Rugby union’s no rocket science, take a couple of set plays with various players to see where the opposition’s weaknesses are.’’

The Darwin Dragons lock horns with Palmerston on the No. 2 oval, knowing a win over the Crocs will open up a bigger gap between the two sides in the race for the top four.

The Dragons lost a game they could easily have won against ladder leaders South Darwin last week, poor decision making close to the try line costing them on at least two occasions.