Brighton Renault Dewar Shield Semi Finals Preview

Fri, Aug 9, 2019, 12:00 AM
Rugby Vic Media
by Rugby Vic Media
Photo by Rugby Vic Media
Photo by Rugby Vic Media

The 2019 Brick Lane Brewing Finals Series is here with two mouth-watering Brighton Renault Dewar Shield Semi-Final match-ups on the cards.

The Major Semi-Final will see Melbourne (1) take on Harlequins (2), while Box Hill (3) will face-off against Melbourne University (4) in the Minor Semi-Final.

Melbourne v Harlequins (Romanis Reserve 2:45pm) *Live-Streamed

Melbourne - Rayne Simpson

How is the side tracking heading into Semi-Finals action?

It's been a challenging past few weeks losing to Box hill then followed with a loss to Harlequins when prior to the two losses we had been undefeated, in saying that though some of our wins and our two losses were close and certainly not reflected in the scoreline. It gave us the coaching staff and the playing group an opportunity to reflect and review our finals campaign which we feel is refreshing leading into this match vs Harlequins this weekend.

How do you feel your side performed against Harlequins in your two regular season clashes?

Harlequins are a class group, they are well coached and execute simple thing well. It only takes us to lose concentration for only a moment or our discipline to waiver and they can punish you. Both of our matches were close hard clashes, as usual our loss at home challenged us, we left a number of opportunities on the field that day however let's not take anything away from Quins they took good advantage of our mistakes and got the result.

What learnings did you take out of your two match-ups against Harlequins?

Discipline, Under pressure we must maintain our game discipline, the execution of our preparation requires good discipline in particular when under fatigue. We have worked particularly hard on this with excellent input from the playing group.

What do you expect Harlequins to bring to the match-up in this Major Semi-Final?

Quins play a direct style of attacking rugby, the tackle contest / contact zones will be the battle more so if the wet weather predictions are correct. They also have an excellent kicking game which Im sure they will try to utilise in the expected conditions. Quins are very strong in the aforementioned areas. We look forward to the challenge.

Which players do you expect to fire for Harlequins this weekend?

Finals Rugby - We expect and respect ALL of them to fire come Saturday. May the best team win.

Harlequins - Chris Allen

How is the side tracking heading into Semi-Finals action?

We’ve started to string together some really good performances over the past month or so leading into finals, it feels like we’ve been playing finals footy for a couple of weeks which is good, as with most clubs we’ve been hit by injury this time of year which will test our squad depth.

How do you feel your side performed against Melbourne in your two regular season clashes?

Certainly two separate performances from our perspective, Round 1 we were off the pace defensively but Melbourne were very good that day they put us under pressure and their outside backs did some damage. Round 2 we managed to string some phases together and build pressure but most pleasing for me was our defence in that game 2 weeks ago.

What learnings did you take out of your two match-ups against Melbourne?

Very cliché but “Control what we can Control” If you start worrying about what the opposition is doing too much it takes the focus away from what you are trying to achieve. Melbourne are a well drilled powerful side there’s no secret there!

What do you expect Melbourne to bring to the match-up in this Major Semi-Final?

Intensity and a real physical battle Which players do you expect to fire for Melbourne this weekend? I’d expect them all to fire they have threats all over the park.

Which players do you expect to fire for Melbourne this weekend?

I’d expect them all to fire they have threats all over the park.

Box Hill v Melbourne University (RHL Sparks Reserve 2:45pm) *Live-Streamed

Box Hill - Tim Belcher

How is the side tracking heading into Semi-Finals action?

It's business now, no more work ons, its knock out now.

How do you feel your side performed against Melbourne University in your two regular season clashes?

Those games are irrelevant now.

What learnings did you take out of your two match-ups against Melbourne University?

University have a strong set piece probably the best in the comp so obviously we have had two good look at them and we ain't going to die wondering.

What do you expect Melbourne University to bring to the match-up in this Semi-Final clash?

Everything!!!

Which players do you expect to fire for Melbourne University this weekend?

Matt Dewar will be key for them at Prop, very underrated player.

Melbourne University - Craig Dickson

How is the side tracking heading into Semi-Finals action?

The team is in good heart and the boys are looking forward to the weekend. Finals footy is a different beast and our preparation has been good.

How do you feel your side performed against Box Hill in your two regular season clashes?

They played well and had obviously done their homework on us.

What learnings did you take out of your two match-ups against Box Hill?

That you cannot off to switch off even for a moment -- and their set piece has become stronger game by game.

What do you expect Box Hill to bring to the match-up in this Semi-Final clash?

It will be a tough game up front. They also have a number of exciting backs who will be waiting to take their chances.

Which players do you expect to fire for Box Hill this weekend?

Joe Himani up front -- and containing Lolohea in the backs will be key.

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