Bulls take on Cowboys

Arorangi Cowboys and Titikaveka Bulls will go head to head in the Polynesian Rental Cars under 19 rugby grade grand final on Saturday.

The top two teams have met each other twice this season in the round competition with the Cowboys winning both matches 15-5 and 19-5.

Last weekend the Bulls were the surprise winners over the more favoured Panthers team in the do or die semis with the Bulls deservedly winning 15-10.

Stand-out players this season for the Bulls have been their two big men – centre Fortes Williams and number 8 Charles Numanga, nuggety hooker Naea Maeva and also busy loose forward King Jubilee.

The Bulls have also received reinforcements all the way from Aitutaki in the form of strong-running prop Nga Akakaromaki and elusive centre Victor Ioane Jnr.

The Cowboys team oozes talent with six players including Robert Heather Jnr, Andrew Purua, Raina Wichman, Tereinga Murare, Basil Matapo and Nathaneil Tairi having had regular senior A grade game time this year.

However, the Cowboys’[ biggest threat sometimes is their ill-discipline which can result in a high number of penalties against them.

On paper the Cowboys are favoured to win this year’s title which eluded them in 2011 however as the Bulls proved last week against the Panthers – they are not a team to be under-estimated. - Ruck and Maul

Under 19 Cowboys – John Vano, Yves Obeda, George Isamaela, Fred Pickering, Iaveta Karika, Andre Iro, Raina Wichman, Andrew Purua, Tiare Kura, Basil Matapo, Tokoiva George, Robert Heather, Nathaniel Tairi, Tuaine Unuia, Tereina Murare, Gavin Halatau, Travel Purua, Dennis Rangi, William Boller, Morgan Wichman.

Under 19 Bulls – NgametuaAkakoromaki, NaeaMaevaRicky Monga, Lance Simiona, Joe Tautu, Ben Daniel, King Jubilee, Charles Numanga, Apenera Short, Daniel Aererua, Charlie Matapo, Fortes Williams, Victor Ioane, Jaime Atera, Rauti Ellison, Tauri Arthur-Tua, Andrew Remuera, Ethan Toleafoa, AkionaPaulo.

Grand finals draw: Friday 21 at the BCI Stadium – 4.30pm under 16 Bulls vs Cowboys, 5.40pm women’s rugby Te Au O Tonga vs Takitumu.

Saturday 22 at the BCI Stadium – 12.30pm-under 13 Eels vs Cowboys, 1.30pm-under 19 Cowboys vs Bulls, 2.50pm-senior B Eels vs Panthers, 4pm-senior A Eels vs Panthers.