The Gunnedah Red Devils and Quirindi Lions are ready to face off in this Saturday’s Central North Rugby Union (CNRU) preliminary final at Gunnedah Rugby Park, to decide who contests the Moree Bulls in the grand final.
Moree’s 28-24 victory against the Red Devils on Gunnedah soil last Saturday secured grand final hosting rights for the Bulls, while the Lions had a bye after the previous week’s 36-12 beating of reigning premier Narrabri.
The Red Devils were caned in the penalty count last Saturday, yet still had victory within reach.
Red Devils skipper Tim McDermott said, “We’re still really confident as a squad of being able to achieve what we set out to do at the start of the season.
“We believe in our processes and game plan and know if we execute, then results will take care of themselves.
“(It’s) massively important to put the weekend’s result behind us and focus on Quirindi which will be the biggest game of the season so far.”
Gunnedah missed Ben Hamparsum, Cameron Mitchell and Asivorosi Turagalevu last Saturday, with Hamparsum set to return following a sojourn while the other two are likely to remain sidelined with injury.
Aided by some early penalties, the Bulls came firing out of the blocks last Saturday as two tries, a conversion and a penalty goal gave them a 15-0 lead in the 11th minute.
A cut-out pass set up the opening try for formidable left winger Asesela Ravuvu, who then created the next try with a break before he found Ben Williams in support.
Gunnedah fullback James Perrett scored a skilful try from a chip-and-chase before Ravuvu scored again as he produced another damaging run, although he did not appear to ground the ball properly.
A converted try to Gunnedah’s Nick Lyons reduced the margin to eight points, before another penalty goal to the Bulls gave them a 23-12 lead.
The Red Devils hit back in the lead-up to half-time, as Josh Leys barrelled through several defenders and muscled across the tryline.
A third try to Ravuvu helped the Bulls to a 28-19 lead in the 46th minute, before Gunnedah’s Giordan Patea was yellow-carded for a high tackle.
Jack Inder and Adrian Burl combined to send Nate Harris through a huge gap for a try which, surprisingly, was the final score of the game with a shade over 20 minutes left.
Patea earned a second yellow card in the late stages, and was promptly sent off.
McDermott declined to comment about refereeing decisions, but said Gunnedah’s ill-discipline “certainly gave Moree a lot of field position and allowed them convert that into tries and penalties which was the difference”.
“There’s so many learnings from the weekend which we have analysed and are working hard to improve on for this weekend,” he said.
“We certainly feel like we had opportunities in the game, which is the most pleasing part after how poorly we started.
“The weekend really reinforced that when we focus on our game and playing together that we can be a really strong team.”
McDermott said “starting a bit better” would be a focus.
“We are still very keen to work hard and fight to keep our season alive,” he said.
“Our whole squad believes in the other members of the team and the coaching staff, so it’s just a matter of doing everything we can to put that on the field.”
With the Red Devils having had two tight wins against Quirindi, McDermott said the Lions would be a really tough opponent while they had no real weaknesses.
McDermott said this “will be a real challenge that we’re excited for”, while an enormous home crowd last weekend was “such a buzz”.
“Any opportunity to play at home again is amazing, especially against local foes Quirindi,” he said.
“There is such a proud history between the Quirindi and Gunnedah clubs which adds to the excitement of all our players and I’m sure many more supporters.”
