Defending premiers Leeton are preparing to launch a full-bodied assault on Ag College in Saturday’s qualifying final with a host of regular starters set to return for the Phantoms.
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Former Fiji international Marika Vunibaka headlines the list of returnees after missing his side’s 57-10 loss to Ag College and will provide some much-needed firepower against the green machine, while Southern Inland representative Freddy Tupou is tipped to slide into his favoured halfback role.
Prop Moji Waqa and lock Koresi Waqanivalu also come back into the Phantoms’ starting line up alongside skipper Tim Rolls, who made a successful return to first grade last weekend.
The burly hooker has worked his way back from a shoulder injury in recent weeks and threw himself into the fray at Beres Elwood Oval after a short stint in second grade during Leeton’s most recent home game against Griffith.
“The game against Ag College tested out the shoulder a bit, but I came out alright,” Rolls said.
“I actually thought it was a pretty good game in the end, despite what the scoreline says, and I was impressed by how the boys stuck at.
“We had flankers playing in the front row for a bit there and we were trying all sorts of things with the halves.”
The second-placed Phantoms have a safety net beneath them and will face the winner of this weekend’s elimination final between Albury and Tumut, should they fall to Ag College in successive weeks.
Back to back losses would nevertheless be a fell blow for the reigning champions, but Rolls is refusing to burden the weight of expectation, opting for a positive approach into this year’s finals series.
“I don’t really think there’s pressure on us this year because Waratahs are the team to beat,” Rolls said.
“Going through a season undefeated is impressive, so we can’t take anything away from them there and they’re definitely favourites.”
“For us, we know we can score points against any team we play against, so we’ll just go into our next game and look to improve.”
Ag College’s sparkling attack caught the Phantoms off-guard during their 47-point loss and Rolls is keen to avoid making the same defensive mistakes in the finals cauldron.
“Their attack was very quick and they set deep on us, so we’ll have to work on coming up in defence, sliding across and trusting the inside man to make the tackle,” he said.
“We know their game now and we’ll be ready.”
Leeton kick off against Ag College at 4.00pm on Saturday at Conolly Rugby Park.
