University Pirates know they have a challenge ahead of them against South Darwin in Round 3 of the 2020 A-grade rugby competition

UNIVERSITY Pirates playing-coach Robbie Butcher knows his side will have to be on top form defensively to meet the challenge of the rampaging Rabbitohs at Rugby Park tonight.

Wise Sekitoga (Centre) is expected to standout for University Pirates against South Darwin in Round 3 of the A-grade rugby competition. Picture: CHE CHORLEY

UNIVERSITY Pirates playing-coach Robbie Butcher knows his side will have to be on top form defensively to meet the challenge of the rampaging Rabbitohs at Rugby Park tonight.

Pirates have been in fine form so far this season, seeing off Casuarina 15-10 in a tough opening round encounter and proved their depth in a 32-5 B-grade win over Swampdogs last week.

“That was a result of good numbers in training. We have good depth and there’s a lot of healthy competition for positions,” Butcher told the NT News.

“The boys have been focusing on what we can control and trusting in our structures. We stick with our structures and have faith in each other.”

But South Darwin have proved themselves the team to beat so far this season after managing two massive wins over Darwin Dragons (55-5) and Palmerston (43-0).

“It’s going to be a good one, they’ve had a couple good wins so far and have looked good,” Butcher said.

“We’re going to have to build on the solid base we’ve built from training and work on what we can control.

“Everything will stem from the set-piece, it will lay the platform for the rest of the match and defence will be crucial.

“It will also come down to how we control the ball both in hand and when they are on the attack.”

Wing David Taylor was a crucial defender in University’s opening win doing enough to secure his position against Souths.

Co-coach Matt Vitucci will make a return up front while Wise Sekitoga is expected to put on a strong performance for the Pirates.

The Rabbitiohs will once again boast a strong forward pack looking to dominate and hard runners such as Petelo Pailate, who has scored four tries in two games, Nasoni Rokobiau and Maleli Motonicocoka.

This match makes up park of Round 3 of the 2020 A-grade rugby competition at Rugby Park from 7.30pm.

Elsewhere in Round 3 action reigning premiers Darwin Dragons are looking to bounce back from successive defeats against a Palmerston side looking to put some points on the board this time round.

Casuarina will have a bye in the A-grade competition after beating Dragons 36-14 and instead will face Swampdogs in the B-grade competition.