Bros claim Capital Rugby title

Sports

A BROTHERS backline featuring five national sevens players easily beat Harlequins 32-5 to win the Capital Rugby Union premier grade title on Saturday.
Played in front of an estimated 3500 fans at Bava Park, Port Moresby, Brothers winger Wesley Vali wowed the crowd with his speed and attacking prowess, scoring two tries, one in each half, and setting up another in an entertaining if not one-sided clash.
The Kramer Ausenco-sponsored Brothers, captained by lock Ahulo Ottio, also finished the 2018 season undefeated, having won their 16th straight game on Saturday while the Trukai-backed Harlequins had recovered from a mid-season three-game suspension to earn a top four spot and work their way to the decider.
With speed and sevens experience to burn, Brothers showed the crowd their running game with fullback Hensley Peter scoring a try in the corner in the third minute from a pinched line-out as five-eighth Arthur Clement spread the ball with his first opportunity.
For the rest of the half the game followed the same pattern: Brothers control play in the middle third and then unleash their back line when in range.
Brothers centre Clint Kut barged over after taking an inside ball 15m out and that was followed by five-pointers to Vali and winger Eugene Tokavai for a 22-0 score at halftime.
Despite starting the second half with more intent, Harlequins conceded the first points when Vali turned a poor clearance by Clement into a try by gathering in the bounce and fending off the cover to sprint 40m to the line in the 51st minute.
With the task getting steeper at 29-0, Harlies managed to get on the board when reserve halfback Eugene Tovue scored from a ruck close to the line in the 63rd minute.
The game became scrappier as the half wore on with both packs fighting for ascendency and Harlies No.10 Ishmael Indepine trying to create opportunities for his outside men.
Brothers inside centre Tisa Kautu put the icing on the cake with a 75th-minute penalty.
Brothers skipper Ottio, who was named the best-and-fairest, said the team had set a goal of winning the 2018 title after losing last year’s final.
“We picked up where we left of last year. We promise ourselves after the loss in the grand final that we would come harder for the title this season,” Ahulo said.
“We prepared for this all season and I’m glad the boys showed up and performed.
“Thank you to Harlequins, but we just did not want to lose, so credit to my boys for the win.”
Ottio hinted that he would hang up his boots after finally winning a title.
Harlequins coach Billy Rapilla was proud of his side’s effort and credited the club’s culture for getting them to the final game of the season.
“Brothers are the benchmark for CRU and we were maybe a little intimidated and made too many mistakes giving them a lot of opportunities,” Rapilla said.
“We’re just happy to be here and compete and I’m happy for how my guys turned up. Brothers have the experienced and credit to them for the win, but we’ll definitely be back.”
Harlequins captain and openside flanker Desmond Korpok said his side had given their best against the union’s best side.
“It was a challenge from the kick off. Brothers came at us and their backline was just too good,” Korpok said.
“This shows how far we’ve come this season. We came back from nothing and there was nothing for us to lose so we’re just happy to make the final.”
“We look forward to next year and to lift the club’s name and bring the culture back.”
Kramer Ausenco Brothers 32 (Wesley Vali 2, Hensley Peter, Clint Kut, Eugene Tokavai tries; Tisa Kautu 2 con, pen) Trukai Harlequins 5 (Eugene Tovue try).