Tight final expected

BY STU PIDDINGTON

The two coaches involved in today's Hamersley Cup rugby grand final are giving little away but both believe it will be a close encounter.

Celtic take on Harlequins for the third successive year with the scores level at one apiece. Both coaches believe it will be close again.

Defending champions Celtic go in favourites by virtue of beating Harlequins three times this season, albeit by small margins on two occasions.

So after 14 rounds of rugby and three semi-finals, 80 minutes of tough rugby will find the winner.

Celtic's Sean Breen and Harlequins' Gareth Burgess both believe each other sides have potential game breakers.

Both have named predictable line-ups with Burgess opting for converted loose forward Alosio Latu at centre ahead of reserve halfback Scotty Keown, who started there against Pleasant Point.

Burgess believed his side only needed a 5 per cent change to reverse their fortunes against Celtic.

"We have changed the game plan slightly and given ourselves another couple of options."

Burgess said the key to a win was to take points when they were offered and "really up the tempo when we are in the the red zone".

"Our desire and attitude are right so it about playing clever rugby."

Key to helping their chances for a win was keeping Celtic's playmakers Sekope Maea and Jimmy Owen under control, he said.

"Celtic are lucky to have good forwards and strength across the paddock, but those two, especially, create the space and make opportunities for those out wide."

Burgess has resisted the temptation of moving his most potent attacking weapon, Maile Iongi, in from the wing. The coach said he toyed with bringing Iongi in one but in the end decided he was the form winger and they could use him best out wide.

Centre has been the Achilles heel for Harlequins this season with no-one really dominating the spot.

Celtic's side has a settled look about it.

Breen said his side's chances would be improved if they played as a team rather than individuals.

"Harlequins are certainly capable and obviously they have talent out wide.

He said the forward battle was always a tough one.

"Timaru Tafa and Fai Savieti crash the ball up well and give them front foot ball they will be dangerous."

Breen said a side could never be confident against Harlequins.

However, he did give a hint of confidence

"If we play to our potential the margin could be wider."

Breen said the benches could play a vital role later in the game.

"Harlequins are normally strong, so we have also, I guess, kept a couple back to cover that," he said.

Celtic have lost impact player Mike Bockett with a blown knee so coach Pene Latu comes on to the bench.

"It's a shame to lose Mike but Pene brings something as well."

One Harlequins player desperate to taste a grand final will be red-headed forward Ian Hughes, who made the switch from hockey and has made the Hamersley Cup in his first year playing rugby.

In the Scott Cup, for the bottom four teams, a resurgent Temuka will be looking for an upset of Old Boys.

HARLEQUINS V CELTIC

Harlequins: Timaru Tafa, Nathan Tubb (vc), Fainga'a Savieti, Blair Johnson, Grant McLauchlan, Jason Stevenson, Eric Smith, Craig Millar, Scotty Norton (c), Ricky McLeod, Maile Iongi, Matt Young, Alosio Lutu, Suli Kaufusi, Kane Lewis. Reserves: Lotu Tonga, Lio Fotofili, Ian Hughes, Lucas Scott (Shaun Cornane), Nathan O'Connell, Scotty Keown, Zane Sanders.

Celtic: Mat Fetu, Foi Saena, Jeremy Bailey, Mark Strachan, Michael Eaton, Jason Rooney, Nick Strachan, Kali Latu, Sekope Maea, Jimmy Owen, Ben Faasavala, Tanu Suavine, Patola Tupula, Isaac Tuala, Tevita Latu. Reserves: Tavita Taufa, Bert Agnew, Bob Katene, Kelvin Emmerson (Lotoa Lino), Craig Cahill, Cody McMinn, Pene Latu (Hamish Strachan).

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