Reds rally to grand final

The Takuvaine rugby club painted the BCI Stadium red on Saturday where they outplayed 2012 club rugby defending champions the Avatiu Eels 14-10 to book their place at next week’s grand finals against the waiting Titikaveka Bulls.

The more fancied defending champions hang up their boots for the season while the Reds will polish them up again this coming week after an all-round strong performance on the pitch.

It was a more determined, enthusiastic and cohesive Reds outfit that ruined the Eels plans for back to back finals with the underdogs dominating the game.

The scores were close and in true semi-final fashion – the result could have gone either way with the Eels cause not helped by two yellow card offences.

Tactically the Reds intentions were clear from the outset as they were content to kick for position and return play to their strong pack of forwards – especially in the 1st half when they were playing into a strong head wind.

The Reds led at the halftime break by a slim one point, 8-7.

Best for the Reds were action man open-side flanker Teina Savage, dynamic centre Fou Samania and their evergreen first 5/8 Vase Samania – his presence, experience and composure throughout this match a key component to this famous Reds win, which they deservedly celebrated as if they had won the grand finals.

A mind-set the Reds certainly brought to their game.

This continues the Reds Cinderella ‘rags to riches’ story as the Reds will now face the Bulls in this weekend’s senior A grade grand finals.

For the Eels, the stand out was one of their youngest members in 19-year-old prop Zeru Pera, and newbie lock Maru Goodwin.

Veteran Eels first 5/8 Terry Piri tried his best but didn’t quite manage to rally the troops in the do-or-die game.

It’s not all bad news for the Eels – the club has three grades in Saturday’s grand finals including their senior B grade who defeated the Arorangi Cowboys to head to the grand finals against the Bulls on Friday.

Arch-rivals the Eels and Cowboys continued their battle, the difference being ex-national representatives Bruce Goldsworthy and Ben Maaka with Goldsworthy scoring both Eels tries and Maaka kicking the goals for the Eels 15-7 win, and chance to defend their senior B grade title. The senior B grade will kick off the grand finals weekend on Friday at the BCI before remaining grand finals games including the main senior A grade game between the Reds and Bulls will be played out on Saturday.

Turn to page 14 for age grade semi-final reports and images.