Finals fever

TOMORROW is the day of reckoning for the Port Moresby rugby union, when the champions are crowned and the bragging rights bestowed.
Former champions and favourites Monier Harlequins, who have been rebuilding over the last four years since their last championship in 2005, are poised to reap what they have sown – the season’s major honours.
Captain Avosa Kaipu, Kapua Kapua, Tony Tadabe, Gary Iga and Emmanuel Auru have graduated into the senior player rank together with a “savvy” breed of schoolboys in Chris Kakah, Fairi Fairi, Desmond Korpok and Steven Donald.
While the stage is set for this all-conquering young side, the pressure to produce has built over the week with their opponents Defence having also come through their demons in second placed performances over the years.
With a game that will come down to the conversion of loose possessions to points, loosies from both camps will have to be on the ball all day.
Both sides have played a similar style all season with the Harlies only edging their opponents through the tactical boot of first five Jacob Jesse. The last outing between the two in regular season was only separated by fitness, and this should be matched by a green outfit, ready to break their number two tag.   
The Murray barracks men have the experience in ‘ageless’ centre Graham Sakora and skipper Aaron Miai plus the stock to lead a ‘running riot’ in Consie Bais, Joshua Posu, David Moses and Adeck Naio. 
The final test has arrived for Port Moresby rugby’s young ‘finds’ in both clubs to either stand and deliver for their colours, or get lost in the fire and come out number two.
Both coaches know what’s in store, being in the business for seasons with only so much to say to their boys.
Defence has come a long way for this and they will not want to stop short of the final whistle, but like they say in the Harlies’ camp, “beware the wounded Harlequin”.
Long-time rivals Chiefs and Defence will go at it again in the women’s final – their third meeting in as many years.