Unbeaten Emus set for their biggest season test yet
RUGBY UNION: The Goondiwindi Emus have been in a Wagners Risdon Cup competition of their own throughout 2019 but their biggest season test begins today at Riddles Oval.
Goondiwindi today hosts Downs Rugby’s Super Saturday II with six finals and Emilee Cherry Cup play-off games featuring throughout the day.
The card is highlighted by the Risdon Cup qualifying final where the undefeated Emus meet the menacing Roma Echidnas for a place in the August 24 grand final at Clive Berghofer Stadium.
The loser lives to face USQ or Toowoomba Rangers in next week’s preliminary final and Goondiwindi coach Luke Fritz said the pressure was now on his team to complete the job it has built so impressively towards all season.
The Emus have had Roma’s measure in their fixture-season meetings but the Echidnas will likely relish their underdog tag today, spurred on by their fighting 41-38 extra-time semi final win last weekend over Rangers.
“We are all a bit anxious I suppose, keen to get this one out of the way and moving a step closer to our season goal,” Fritz said.
“But this will be our biggest test so far. We’ve had a good year but we haven’t faced this type of pressure match yet.
“We know Roma will be good. They will be battle hardened after their tough win last weekend.
“We had a good week off and everyone is fit bar our halfback Billy Thompson who has done his ankle.
“He will be a big loss.
“Physically we know we are more than up to it tomorrow but our challenge will be how we go about the game.
“It’s a big day for the club and the boys are looking forward to a good physical game against a Roma side we won’t be underestimating in any way.”
Roma has regrouped unscathed after its marathon effort last Saturday.
“The guys are in a good space at the moment,” president Richard Bright said.
“They’re aware of the challenge in front of them at Goondiwindi. But it’s just one game of footy at a time now.”