South Darwin Rabbitohs expecting a tight battle against University Pirates at Rugby Park

SOUTH Darwin has been in rampaging form climbing to the top of the Darwin A-grade Rugby Union competition, but it will know not to take its upcoming Round 11 challenge against University Pirates lightly.

South Darwin Rabbitohs’ Timothy Anderson has often been hard to stop this season. Picture: Che Chorley

SOUTH Darwin has been in rampaging form climbing to the top of the Darwin A-grade Rugby Union competition, but it will know not to take its upcoming Round 11 challenge of University Pirates lightly when they meet at Rugby Park.

Successive victories with dominant scores over Darwin Dragons (53-10) and Casuarina Cougars (32-13) have put the Rabbitohs on top of the table.

And it’s that recent run which coach Jack Horner has put down to the side’s ability to gel and come together as a unit from player 1-23.

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“We’ve stepped up from where we were before the break and the guys have all been working hard for these results,” Horner told the NT News.

“What we’ve been working on as far back as the dry season is coming to fruition and we just have to make sure that we’re not peaking too soon.

“It comes down to the boys gelling really well and the good recruitment we managed with the boys from Harbour Knights.

“We also have guys like Nasoni Rokobiau and Setefano Cakaunivalu with international experience and Brad Hunt who brings that experience from Territory coaching.”

South Darwin have been dominant across the park since the break with the likes of Tim Anderson, Thomas Hiramatsu and Jone Vakacegu giving the side plenty of go forward.

Up front the Bunnies have found themselves with a plethora of useful front rowers with Toby Kliangprom, Jess Kirkman and Hayden Summers all able to do a job around long-term hooker Bryn Templeman.

But the University forward pack has plenty of power of its own with Wise Sekitoga and Ben Parkes instrumental in the lineout, while Matt Vitucci will be a tough face-off in the scrum.

The Pirates will be after redemption having lost to Palmerston at home last round and yet to score in the opening half of a game since returning from the break.

“Pirates are a strong all over with their forward pack and lineout particularly strong while Robbie Butcher’s boot is a challenge for any side,” Horner said.

“Last time we faced them it ended in a draw and it’s always been a tight game against them so we might be looking at the same again.

“For us it comes down to communication, a solid defence and being ruthless in attack. We have to respect the ball when we have it and make things easier for ourselves.

“Everyone has been really strong across the park recently and they don’t take a backward step when the bench comes on.

“It was a bit of an unknown for everyone playing in the wet this season and it’s helped prove that no one is infallible and tightened the competition so we can’t count anything until our final game.”

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Meanwhile, Palmerston Crocs will be looking to make it back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they take on reigning premiers Darwin Dragons from 7.10pm.