RUGBY
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kiama have no intention of providing the Wollongong Vikings with a leg-up in the race for the final play-offs berth.
Vikings are in fifth spot heading into Saturday's season-ending home clash with the Cows, two points behind fourth-placed Campbelltown.
The Blueys will secure a finals invitation if they beat third-placed Kiama and Campbelltown lose their road game against titleholders University.
Kiama coach Darryl Thomas said the Blueys shouldn't count on any favours from his side.
The Cows haven't forgotten who buried their finals hopes last season and are keen to inflict a payback job.
"We were disappointed that Vikings knocked us out last year so I'm sure the boys will be ready to go," Thomas said. "The other factor is that we were pretty embarrassed by Campbelltown a couple of weeks ago, so I'm sure the boys are keen to have another crack at them."
Indeed, the Cows suffered a surprise 16-13 home loss to the Harlequins in round 16 and would love to avenge the defeat in next weekend's minor semi-final.
Kiama and Vikings were supposed to play a deferred game on Tuesday night but rain prevented the match from going ahead. A draw was declared and both teams collected two points each.
"It's just nice to be in a position where we've got enough points on the board and we're in the finals regardless," Thomas said.
"We tried to play Tuesday night but in the end it was just too wet, so the boys are fresh and ready to go.
"Momentum is such an important thing. We got a bit back against Camden last week and we're keen to make sure we keep it. It's hard to get back if you lose it, especially at this time of year."
Blueys coach Sean Barrett has named his strongest side.
"We've got no injury concerns and everyone's made themselves available," he said. "This is our first game against Kiama and we don't really know what to expect, so we'll just worry about ourselves.
"Hopefully we're going to provide a bit of a notice to the opposition that if we do scrape in, we might go a bit further than fourth.
"Blocker [Thomas] and I played together at Kiama and this will be my first coaching gig against my old club."
Shoalhaven finish their season with a home game against Camden, minor premiers Avondale take on Shamrocks at Ocean Park, while Tech Waratahs are on the road against Bowral.
ILLAWARRA RUGBY
Saturday (3pm)
SHOALHAVEN v CAMDEN at Shoalhaven Rugby Park
VIKINGS v KIAMA at Vikings Oval
UNIVERSITY v CAMPBELLTOWN at University Oval
SHAMROCKS v AVONDALE at Ocean Park
BOWRAL v TECH-WARATAHS at Edridge Park