UNIVERSITY players have spent as much time on the physiotherapy table as the training field this week, in a bid to have as many fit as possible for Sunday’s elimination final against Bowral.
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The premiers have struggled with key injuries this season, but have found form to win six of their past eight and finish fourth.
It sets the stage for a cut-throat showdown with Bowral, who were knocked out by Uni in last year’s preliminary final.
Coach Shaun McCreedy is adamant Uni can still be a premiership force, as he gives a handful of players until the last minute to be fit for the clash, to be played at the neutral venue at Camden.
“I’m trying to give our guys every chance,” he said.
“We’ve been ravaged with injuries all year, but it’s also been a chance to have some young guys come up and show what they can do.
“There’s a real buzz around the club, we still feel like we can do well in the finals, there’s plenty of experience there, guys who have been here before.
“But you’ve got to produce when it matters.”
With the troops he has had on the ground, McCreedy has been working overtime on the scrum, to handle Bowral’s imposing forward pack. After losing to Bowral early in the season, University hit back last month, despite having 14 men for much of the second half.
McCreedy admitted how Uni handled Bowral’s scrum would be a huge factor in the game.
“We’ve put a fair bit of work into it this week,” he said.
“We know they’ve got a lot of quality in the scrum and the set piece, we have to hold our own.
“We need to make sure we’re holding on to the ball at our own scrums, there could be trouble otherwise.”
University won last year’s decider 10-7 against Shamrocks, after a controversial period of extra time where the Mallee Bulls were found to have an extra man on the field.
The winner of Sunday’s clash will meet the loser of Saturday qualifying final showdown between minor premiers Avondale and second-placed Vikings.
Collecting 88 out of a possible 90 points this season, the unbeaten Wombats only dropped bonus points in each of their games against Vikings.
- ILLAWARRA RUGBY
Finals
Saturday (3pm)
Qualifying final: AVONDALE v SHAMROCKS at Ocean Park
Sunday (3pm)
Elimination final: BOWRAL v UNIVERSITY at Camden Rugby Ground
Preliminary final: August 26 at Vikings Rugby Ground
Grand final: September 2 at WIN Stadium
Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
