Whilst they quietly go about preparations for the Bolton Cup grand final, Harlequins can take confidence from the fact they inflicted Melbourne with their only loss of the season.
Measured and meticulous, Quins head coach Mark McGroarty keeps his cards close to his chest but certainly appreciates the sense of occasion facing his young side this Saturday.
Rugby Victoria (RV): That was a eee-sawing battle against Endeavour Hills in the semi final...how is the heart after that experience? were there any doubts that crept in?
Mark McGroarty (MM): A lot of our games this season have come down to the wire, so the heart and nerves are well used to it at this stage! I had no doubt about our boys at the end of the game, we always finish strong and thankfully this time was no different!
RV: It was quite the turnaround, considering you had gone down to the Eagles just a week earlier. Was that round 6 loss a case of you guys keeping a few tricks up your sleeve before the semi?
MM: No not at all. Hills are a quality side and we knew that coming into this game having fallen short on the previous two occasions. For the semi we knew we had to play our best game of the season and the group really came together to achieve that.
RV: You inflicted Melbourne with their only loss this season...how important is that for giving your guys the confidence to know they are beatable?
MM: We tend to put a lot of focus on the way we want to play rather than looking at the opposition too much. We've played really well this season for parts of games and we know that when we are on our game that we're a very good side.
The challenge for us this season has been putting it all together in a full 70min performance.
RV: Melbourne finished top of the ladder this regular season, what makes them such a polished outfit?
MM: We've seen first hand that Melbourne are a top side with a great coaching team and a rich tradition. They have threats all over the pitch and can mix it whatever way they want which is what makes them such a handful!
RV: Which player in your side holds the key to success this weekend? Who needs to fire in order for Quins to win?
MM: One of the great things about our team is that we are a team in the true sense of the word.
Everyone plays their role and adds their unique individual superpowers to make us collectively strong. I can't say that one player makes us tick, it's all of our players and their differences that makes us fire.
RV: Does having the extra game help? Or do Melbourne have the advantage because they had the week off?
MM: I think you can argue this one either way but I don't think it will have a bearing on the game. Saturday will have two good sides competing against each other in a final.
All form goes out the window in these big games!
