RUGBY UNION
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A LOCAL derby between Orange City and Orange Emus to claim hosting rights for, and a spot in, the 2015 Blowes Clothing Cup grand final - it doesn’t get much bigger.
In fact, tomorrow’s major semi-final at Pride Park is easily the biggest game the Lions’ Den has hosted since, well, the local derby preliminary final 12 months ago.
Tomorrow, September 5, is just one day short of being bang on a year since Emus triumphed 21-19 in the penultimate game of 2014.
However Emus’ task is tougher this year given Orange City is undefeated at home, and won both regular season local derbies.
“We proved we were the best side through the regular season by winning the minor premiership, finals is a different kettle of fish though,” Orange City co-coach Mick Gray said.
“We’re reasonably confident, we’d certainly like to think we can win this one. I’m sure Emus want to host the grand final as much as we do, so I think it’ll be full on.
The Lions have made a number of changes to the side which beat Emus two weeks ago at Endeavour Oval.
Fullback Joe Lasagavibau filled in at five-eighth while regular first-five, and skipper, Cameron Cole was hurt and the former retains the No.10 jersey, with the latter moving to the custodian’s role.
Prop Darcy Garlick and winger Sam Coote, both Central West representatives this year, return to the side as well.
VIDEO: Michelle Cook and Matt Findlay preview this weekend's games:
Gray was on hand to see Emus take care of Bulldogs at Endeavour Oval last week - a game which featured three yellow cards, a penalty try and more milking than a dairy farm - although he said the Lions won’t take too much out of that clash.
“Emus were good in the first half, but ... weight of possession and penalties let Bulldogs back into it,” Gray said.
“But local derbies, particularly in finals, are much different to any other game.
“We’re really just wanting to play our game really, and make sure no one gets overawed by the situation or anything like that.
“We’re confident if we play our style, and play it well then the result will come.”
Emus player-coach Graydon Staniforth said his players will need to seriously up the ante if they’re to topple the minor premiers.
“We definitely need to play better [tomorrow] than we have against them in the regular season,” Staniforth said.
“For us, that really means sticking to a game plan and our structures, which we haven’t done against Orange City in 2015.
“Also, playing the full 80 minutes, and defending well. They have some serious attacking threats we need to keep our eye on, guys like Joe (Lasagavibau) and Tatafu (Na’aniumotu).”
“But we won’t worry too much about the way they approach it, as I said it’s more about us sticking to our structures and doing that for the entire game.”
Kick off at Pride Park is 3.15pm.
ORANGE CITY LIONS: 1 Darcy Garlick, 2 Chris Senior, 3 Logan Brockmann, 4 Scott Smith, 5 Chris Barrett, 6 Feleti Wolfgramm, 7 Duncan Young, 8 Tatafu Na’aniumotu, 9 Tom Nell, 10 Joe Lasagavibau, 11 Tom Fisher, 12 Sam Dwyer, 13 Jake Davis, 14 Sam Coote, 15 Cameron Cole (c).
ORANGE EMUS: 1 Nas Havealeta, 2 Tom Goolagong, 3 Steve Fergus, 4 Sam McLean, 5 Nick Hughes-Clapp, 6 Andrew Cosgrove, 7 Simon Badgery, 8 Scott McLean, 9 TJ Cunynghame, 10 Adam Perri, 11 Tom Green, 12 Zac White, 13 Nigel Staniforth (c), 14 Carter Hirini, 15 Graydon Staniforth.