Terrific trio aiming for eight
As Celtic hunt for their eighth successive Hamersley Cup rugby title against Pleasant Point on Saturday, three players have been their from the start.
Captain Nick Strachan, prop Matt Fetu and No.8 Kali Latu were part on the victorious 2009 side and have made every final team since.
All three have also been key contributors over Celtic’s winning run.
Fetu remains the stand-out prop in the senior competition.
He joined Celtic in 2003, after coming to Timaru on a Roncalli College rugby scholarship, and will play his 221st game in the final.
Veteran Latu remains one of the strongest runners from the base of the scrum and his ability to break tackles remains a key to his side’s success.
Latu will chalk up his 160th game having joined Celtic in 2006.
Fellow loose forward Strachan is another in the pack that delivers week in, week out.
His tireless tackling and work at the breakdown is an important factor in a usually dominant pack while his leadership means the side seldom panics, which is one reason they have gone through 2016 unbeaten.
While their records are impressive the trio remember when they lost to Harlequins in the 2008 grand final and are keen to avoid that feeling again.
Strachan puts Celtic’s success down to several factors.
‘‘The club culture is good and we have great depth.
‘‘The guys all want to play for each other.’’
Strachan believes the key to their success will be their set pieces, giving good front foot ball to the backs.
‘‘We pride ourselves on our scrum.’’
Strachan said there was no complacency despite having seven titles.
‘‘Each one is special, with different players in the group.’’
The Celtic captain is however wary of Pleasant Point.
‘‘They proved in the first semi that they are no easybeats. They will be tough.’’
‘‘For the first time this season we had to chase a team but I am hoping it doesn’t happen again.’’
Strachan said Point’s back three were a real threat, as they liked to attack.
‘‘It will be important we don’t give them too much ball in open spaces.’’
Fetu agreed the team’s culture that had brought the success.
‘‘Everyone gets along, the old players and the new ones.’’
Fetu said when it came to finals rugby it was important to enjoy it.
Celtic and Pleasant Point last faced off in the grand final in 2013, with Celtic winning 22-15.
Just when it looked as though it might go into extra time, Celtic was gifted possession and wing Tevita ‘‘Rooster’’ Latu scored to snatch the win.
The game will also be the eighth grand final for Celtic’s long serving strapper Mick Prendeville.
Celtic coach Nigel Walsh will also be keen to become one of South Canterbury club rugby top coaches as he chases his fifth consecutive title since taking the reins from another championship win- ning coach Shaun Breen.
After the grand final Walsh will be heading to Canada with the North Otago Heartland side, after being appointed the forwards coach earlier this year.
The referee is the experienced Mike O’Brien, who notched up his century of senior games last year.