Thursday 23 May 2013 2:25 PM
Queanbeyan Blues (1) v Queanbeyan Kangaroos (4) on Saturday at 3:00pm at Seiffert Oval
It there’s one match that you can always count on for a few fireworks it’s the local Queanbeyan derby between the Blues and the Kangaroos.
Players from both sides are bitter adversaries on the field but also great mates off it, however with bragging rights on the line and more importantly two competition points, the players won’t be holding anything back come Saturday.
“We’re expecting a few fireworks because it’s the local derby but we take every game the same because at the end of the day you’ve got to beat every team in the comp,” said Kangaroos Captain-Coach Aaron Gorrell.
“There’s a bit of rivalry on the field and I’m sure it will be every man for himself out there but off it we’re all great mates. We’ll be fired up for the match and they will be too.”
After finishing last year as runners up after winning the premiership in 2010-11, the Kangaroos have found themselves sitting in 4th position on the ladder after an inconsistent five rounds.
“We’re going ok at the moment but we’re very patchy and there’s a lot of improvement that we need to work on,” said Gorrell. “Last week [against Woden] we put together a good opening 40 minutes but went to sleep in the second half and just cruised over the line. We need to learn how to play for the entire 80 minutes.
“The Blues are a quality team and hopefully our forwards are up for the challenge and are able to get over the top of their pack so our backs can score some points. They’ve got a quality side with a few players that have played at the top level so we’ll have to be at our best.”
The Kangaroos will have to keep an eye on Blues centre Tyler Stevens. The rugby union convert is yet to play in the much-hyped Queanbeyan clash however that lack of experience won’t affect him one iota.
Stevens’ stellar start to the year has seen him score 10 tries in just five games and gain selection in the Canberra Region representative team.
“I’ve never played in the Queanbeyan rugby league derby before so this game will be my first experience,” said Stevens. “Training has been nothing different to any other week but in the back of our heads we know it’s going to be a big game because of the rivalry between the two sides.
“Regardless of the rivalry it’s a top four clash so it will be a big game anyway. It will probably be the biggest rugby league game that I’ve played in so far.
“I always wanted to give rugby league a shot while I’m still young and I’ve enjoyed the change. I grew up playing rugby league but switched over to union in high school.
“It’s been good with the team that the Blues have put together this year and having quality players inside and outside me like Herbie [Marc Herbert]. They make my job easier and having Simon Woolford as coach has been good, he’s given me a lot of good points to work on.”
Belconnen United Scholars (5) v West Belconnen Warriors (7) on Saturday at 3:00pm at Northbourne Oval
The other local derby this round is the ‘Battle for Belconnen’ where the Belconnen United Scholars take on the West Belconnen Warriors.
After taking out last year’s title the Scholars have been building their form slowly over the opening rounds however Coach John Hawke was left less than impressed with his team’s performance against Goulburn last week where they were lucky to escape with a draw.
“We probably didn’t deserve the draw,” said Hawke. “We had a football side that didn't want to turn up in the first half and we had a very poor attitude. I thought Goulburn deserved to win the game.”
After a series of lopsided score lines, the win-less Warriors put in a solid performance against the Gungahlin Bulls last week.
Hooker Nic Whatman believes that while last week’s performance was an improvement, his side will need to lift significantly against the Scholars, particularly against their power-house forward pack which features three CRRL representatives.
“Last week we worked hard on completing our sets and tightening our defensive structure,” said Whatman. “It was an improvement but we need to lift again this week against the Scholars.
“There hasn’t been a lot of talk about the local rivalry but we know that they are a big side with a lot of good players so we hope to build on last week and put in another strong performance.
“If our forwards can do the job, players like our fullback Ricky Fulivai will be able to take advantage. Ricky played really well last week. He scored two tries and got us into a good position with each kick return.”
West Belconnen will welcome back five-eighth Joe Cramp for this encounter. Cramp was out injured with a strained meniscus for the previous two rounds.
Gungahlin Bulls (7) v Tuggeranong Bushrangers (6) on Saturday at 3:00pm at Raiders Belconnen
After a brilliant start to the year in which they won their first two encounters, the Tuggeranong Bushrangers have slipped to 6th place on the ladder after losing their last three matches.
They will look to turn their fortunes around this weekend when they take on the 7th placed Gungahlin Bulls and keep pace with the other semi-finals contenders.
“We’ve been happy with our start to the year,” said Bushrangers Captain-Coach Jarrod Teka. “Our new recruits have really helped the side along and there’s a good feeling within the side at the moment.
“We haven’t been at our best the last few weeks and we know we need to turn that around so that we keep a place in the top four. We don’t want to be playing catch-up football like last year.”
Tuggeranong will come up against a passionate Gungahlin outfit who will be celebrating their proud history at the game.
The Bulls will wear a heritage jersey to mark the occasion and former players will be accommodated in the Old Boys Bar, overlooking the try line on the Western end of the grandstand.
Goulburn Workers Bulldogs (2) v Woden Valley Rams (3) on Saturday at 4:00pm at Goulburn Workers Arena
Goulburn has the opportunity to leapfrog the Queanbeyan Blues to claim first place on the competition ladder when they take on the Woden Valley Rams at home on Saturday.
The Bulldogs are traditionally hard to beat at home and if the Kangaroos are to defeat the Blues at Seiffert Oval then Goulburn will snare top spot on the ladder.
They face a tough task though against the 3rd placed Woden Valley Rams though.
Woden has been one of the big improvers this year and is the only team to have defeated the Blues.
An interesting individual battle in the match will be the contest between the two Canberra Raiders Development Officers, Goulburn Captain Daniel York and Woden interchange forward Adam Kyle.
“We both work out of the same office at Raiders HQ but I’ve been out of the office all week doing school visits around Yass so there hasn’t been a chance for any friendly banter between us,” said York.
“The other staff members will be interested in seeing who wins on Monday so bragging rights will definitely be on the line. I’ll be doing my best to get the win to make sure that we get first place on the ladder and that I don’t get sledged all week if we lose!”
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