A tit for tat battle is expected in the Rarotonga Club 15s premier final when defending champions Avatiu Nikao Eels takes on Tupapa Panthers at Victoria Park this afternoon.

The Eels coached by Clive Nicholas are eyeing a back-to-back title win against the Panthers who have managed to remain unbeaten this season.

The two teams met a fortnight ago when the Panthers managed to come away with a slender 20-19 win. The Thomas Toa-coached Panthers led for almost the entire match, but the Eels came back in the last 12 minutes with 19 unanswered points.

Panthers skipper Lua Tua said they cannot be complacent this weekend. The side also had a close one-point win against the Arorangi Bears in the preliminary round.

“Those two wins were completely different in how we played. The game against Arorangi, we scored in the last five minutes to win it by one point but in the game against Avatiu we led the game for almost 70 minutes (20-0) before they scored. Against Arorangi we had to fight for the full 80 minutes, we didn’t give up. But we can’t be complacent as well (as seen against Avatiu). We just have to play the full 80 minutes,” Tua said.

“Against the Bulls in the semis, we made sure we focused for the full 80. The conversation was about sticking at it for the full 80, not letting it go, and it’s the same goal for us this week.”

With the final set to be held at Victoria Park in Tupapa, pending weather, Tua said home ground advantage “gives a little bit of confidence”.

“But Avatiu played there last week and played really well, those boys are used to that field as well. For us to have that feeling of playing at home gives you that extra motivation to win.”

Tua said they have to stay composed and stick to the basics in order to come away with the win.

Eels captain Adyn Kapi said they are ready to defend the Rarotonga Club 15s title.

Kapi said that maintaining possession had been their major weakness, alongside discipline, which they have been working on throughout this week.

“Hopefully we can hold the ball, I think we can cause a lot of damage this weekend,” he said.

Speaking about their one-point loss to the Panthers earlier in the season, Kapi said: “I think we were just pretty slow that day. Everyone was rocking up late, and throughout the game, we just couldn't keep the ball and gave away a lot of penalties. Hopefully, we can start from the first whistle to the end this weekend.”

“I’m excited to be playing alongside some of the boys I grew up with since U10s and playing alongside my three uncles.”

Both teams are calling for their fans to come out in numbers to support their teams.

“We haven’t had much support this year and hopefully the park will be filled with blue and yellow this weekend,” Kapi said.

Fixtures

10.55am: Opening prayer by the hosts; 11am: Junior Development:  Quick Rip (U10/8 Boys & U13 Girls), ALL Clubs; Sea Eagles, Panthers, TKV Reds & Bears; 12noon: U13s [2x 20 mins]: Takuvaine Reds v Arorangi Bears. Approx 12.45pm: Post-match Prizegiving formalities - all teams are to assemble in-front of the Administration area; 1.25pm: both U19 teams are to assemble in front of the Administration area, and both teams to be announced onto the field. Team Managers – give your Team Sheets to the announcer please; 1.30pm: Under 19s [2x 35 mins]: Avatiu Eels v Arorangi Bears. Post-match presentation formalities: both teams are to assemble in front of the admin area; 2.55pm: both Women’s teams are to assemble in front of the Administration area, and both teams to be announced onto the field. Team Managers – give your Team Sheets to the announcer please. 3pm: Women’s 10s [2x 10mins]: Lady Panthers vs Lady Bears. Post-match presentation formalities: both teams are to assemble in front; 3.50pm: Pre-match formalities – all teams to assemble in front of the Admin area (accompanied by their U9/11 players), recorded CI National Anthem to be sung, both teams to be announced onto the field. Team Managers – give your Team Sheets to the announcer please. 4pm: Premier Grade [2x 40mins]: Tupapa Panthers vs Avatiu Eels. Post-match presentation formalities: Thank you speech by CIRU president Simiona Teiotu followed by presentations.