Goodna Rugby Union: Gladiators have will to secure win

Goodna can avenge last year's Barber Cup grand
final loss when they play Pine Rivers in tomorrow's
minor semi-final at Wynnum.

 

REVENGE is not the motivation for Goodna in tomorrow's Barber Cup semi-final.

But a win over their 2009 grand final conquerors Pine Rivers at Wynnum will be extremely sweet, keeping their season alive and ending the Boars' reign.

Prop Dominic Chalk was part of the Goodna team that lost last year's grand final. He believes his team is better placed this time round.

"We're in a similar position but momentum-wise I think we're a step ahead of last year," he said.

"We lost a couple of games right at the end of the season (last year) and played our grand final against Wynnum in the semi. We're at full strength now, which we have been for a few weeks."

It has enabled Goodna to get a roll on with four straight wins since their last loss, 20-17 to Pine Rivers.

But there are no emotional scars from the game.

If anything, it has instilled confidence in the Gladiators because they only lost in the final minute at Pine Rivers despite being short a number of players.

"It was a pretty proud moment for (coach Les Shine)," Chalk explained.

"The guys stood up to put on the performance we did."

Goodna know the Boars well and Chalk nominated their five-eighth Dave Good and number eight Phil Croucamp as the players Goodna must nullify.

Chalk however, believes Goodna are adequately equipped to deal with them.

"Right across the board at the moment," he said of his team's strengths.

"Our defence is excellent at the moment, right across the line. In the first round, it was a bit sketchy."

Goodna are renowned for their powerful forwards but Chalk is confident the backs will make their mark tomorrow as well.

"We're trying to balance it out a bit," he said.

"Our strength is in our backs at the moment.

"If our forwards can lay the way forward, we can get our backs to do the zippy stuff. We really need to utilise them."

Which isn't to say Chalk and his pack will be conceding ground in the trenches.

"They're solid but we had it over them last game we played," Chalk said of the front row battle.

"I'm confident we can do the job again.

"Our front row, I think, is the best in the competition."

In tomorrow's other semi-final, Ipswich Rangers play Wynnum.

The winner advances straight to the grand final in a fortnight. The loser will play the winner of Goodna versus Pine Rivers next week.

Goodna plays Redcliffe in the Pegg Cup minor semi-final with the loser eliminated.