College hoping to give old rivals the blues
As the only non-Christchurch team left in the UC championship, Nelson College is keen to make sure Canterbury doesn’t host the competition final next weekend.
However, members of its 1st XV are only too aware that a big home crowd on the embankment and a fine run of form won’t guarantee a win as they prepare for today’s semifinal against old foe Christ’s College.
On paper, everything points to Nelson College holding all the cards for the crucial playoff encounter.
The team’s form in the Crusaders Schools rugby tournament this season has been impressive, having gone unbeaten in 12 games following a 31-33 loss to St Andrew’s College in the first round.
However, team manager Peter Grigg said previous form and the familiar surrounds of home advantage would mean little come the noon kickoff.
‘‘Semifinals and finals are one-off games – it has no bearing on it.’’
With the exception of Luca Inch, who has missed the latter half of the season through injury, Nelson will field its strongest possible lineup, including skipper Anton Segner, who missed Nelson’s quadrangular tournament victory through injury.
Grigg said that while last week’s default by Mid-Canterbury Combined had deprived Nelson of a useful hit-out ahead of the semifinal, the team’s subsequent training sessions had been just as beneficial.
While the season had been a successful one so far, talk within the team had centred on taking their chances in the upcoming UC and potential National 1st XV championships fixtures, he said.
‘‘The fact we won Quad is obviously a big deal, but making the semifinal is really an expectation. Basically, we expect to make it every year, without being arrogant, and really from here is where champions come from.
‘‘We’ve made the final six times and only won it once – so now it’s up to the boys to take it that next step further.’’
In the other semifinal, Christchurch Boys’ High School will meet crosstown rivals St Bede’s College in an all-Canterbury matchup.
Should Nelson emerge victorious against Christ’s, the final will be played in Nelson next weekend.
In 2007, Nelson College won their sole UC Championship title at home, when they beat St Bede’s 31-26 in the final.
Grigg was diplomatic when asked about the team’s preferred final opponent. ‘‘We’ll play whoever’s in front of us – it’s out of our control.’’