Pirates-Old Boys captain Greg Dyer suggests composure will be key as his club looks for its first Galbraith Shield title in 16 years.
Pirates-Old Boys will face defending champions Woodlands on Saturday in the 2022 Southland Premier Club Rugby final at Rugby Park.
Woodlands will aim to make it three titles in as many years, while Pirates-Old Boys Saturday will be the fourth final since the Pirates and Old Boys clubs merged in 2001.
The club once won the Galbraith Shield after a drop goal from Blair Stewart in 2006.
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In 2021 Pirates-Old Boys went undefeated through the round-robin to be tipped by Star in the semifinals.
Dyer indicated that his team had to learn from that for Saturday’s decider.
“For us it’s just keep calm….. Last year we had nerves, it’s a big game, it’s different from going out and playing for 80 minutes, it’s for the shield, it’s in a final,” Dyer said.
Pirates-Old Boys and Woodlands have met twice during the season and both won one game. Both games between the two teams were decided by just one point.
Kavinda Herath/Things
Pirates-Old Boys Captain Greg Dyer and Woodlands Captain Marty McKenzie at Rugby Park with the Galbraith Shield ahead of the 2022 Southland Premier Club Rugby Final on Saturday.
Woodlands captain Marty McKenzie said it had been a disrupted season due to Covid-19 but felt his team had handled it well on their way to reaching another final.
“We’re looking forward to getting out and about with family and friends and hopefully getting it done again,” McKenzie said.
The Galbraith Shield final on Saturday starts at 2.30pm.
A host of lower senior finals will also be played on Saturday, including the clash between neighbors Wyndham and Edendale for the Ack Soper Shield.
The combined Waikaka-Riversdale team will face Mataura in the Gerald Dermody Cup final, while Mossburn and Bluff will face off in the CJ Soper Shield final. Blues will host Wakatipu in the Life Members Cup decider, while Balfour and Star will compete in Balfour for the Past Presidents Shield.
THE TEAMS
pirate old boys: Kepu Suli, Materua Tupou, Isaac Te Tamaki, Jaye Thompson, Anton Huisman, Greg Dyer (c), Josh Murrell, Hayden Hegarty, Ben Keenan, Dustin Coveney, Ben Morris, Craig Smith, Rikirangi Gage, Talemaitoga Tuapati, Levi Gage. Reserves: Alex Fraito, Carlos Tawhai, Dom Collins, Dan Cairns, Junior Toparea, Nathan Johnston, Jordan Tooby.
forests: Kieran Lee, Drew Carter, Tausosi Tuimavave, Matt Whaanga, Rory van Vugt, Marty McKenzie (c), Liam Howley, Charles Alaimalo, Robbie McKenzie, Curtis Williams, Caleb Aperahama, Matt James, Paula Latu, Jason Rutledge, Chris Barrett. Reserves, Hayden Hart, Mitch Ottley, Cody Sayer, Michael Gellatly, Simione Lasaro, Cole Williams, Joe Gillies.
Referee: Sam Nicholson