Bears and Saints square off
RUGBY: The Emilee Cherry Cup decider will be a fitting end to what has been a brilliant season.
The overall standard of play has been high, but two teams in particular, the Frilly Fillies and USQ Saints have been standouts.
The Filles (18 games – 15 wins) topped the pool with 69 points and were followed closely behind by Saints (18 games – 14 wins) on 62 points.
Matches between the two sides have been tight this season and Saints coach Mick Jaegar is expecting no different in the grand final.
“They’re a quality side – it’s going to be a real challenge for us,” he said.
“In the middle of the park they have a few girls with good off-loads and out wide they have some real pace which they use to their advantage really well.
“We’ve been watching their games closely and good idea of how they play – hopefully we have a plan that will foil them.”
Injuries to key players has made life difficult for Saints of late, but the side’s confidence is high and Jaegar believes they are more than ready.
“We’ve got a few girls coming back at the right time,” Jaegar said.
“Injuries have made things a little harder this season and we’ve let ourselves down in a few areas lately.
“We’ve made the changes we needed to though and we’re confident heading into the final.
“I thought our game against a quality side in Bears in the semi was really good.
“We’re confident but we’re definitely not under estimating our opponents.
“More than half our team have grand final experience and we have a few players that can change a game.
“Charlotte Ernst and Georgia Sim can do that and Penny Dukes has been solid in the middle for us.
“Having her (Dukes) back is a big bonus.
“It (rugby sevens) is a pretty simple game, when you start trying to over complicate it things tend to go wrong.
“I think if we can control the ruck and stop their offloads we’re in with a real chance.”