Playoffs continue this weekend
The USARL Northeast Division has concluded its regular season games and it is time to decide the Conference Champions.
By Julian Clarkstone
The Boston Thirteens are the favorites to win the North Division Final and rightly so, after winning seven of their eight matches and scoring 430 points in the process. Before Boston can get excited about playing next week, a huge game awaits for both the Rhode Island Rebellion and the Brooklyn Kings this weekend. The clash will take place at Brown University, this Saturday at 5.30pm, and will decide who is to face Boston next weekend.
The two teams have faced each other twice this season, with the Rebellion winning both clashes, including a close encounter in round one and a convincing win of 58-10 just a fortnight ago. Aside from these encounters the sides appear to be evenly matched, with just one victory separating the sides and outside of their own encounters, the Kings have actually won one more game. On paper, the Rebellion boast the superior attacking statistics, scoring 342 points to the Kings’ 244, yet the Kings have the upper hand in defense, conceding 26 less points across the season.
Despite the admittedly poor finish to their season, the Kings are full of enthusiasm, which is compounded by the fact that it is the first playoff match for the team in just their second year in existence. The team is coached by former NRL and Super League player, Nick Youngquest, who is upbeat about the team’s chances this weekend.
“There’s a great buzz at the club being in our first playoff game. I am sure there is going to be a mixture of nerves and excitement going into the weekend’s game, but we are looking forward to the challenge,” Youngquest said.
The Team has addressed their areas of concern from the back end of the season and hope to rectify it in order to boost their chances of winning this week. Defense is the key this week after leaking 58 points in the last encounter against the Rebellion. Assistant Coach, Martin Fairhurst, is not worried and believes the Kings will only have to improve in some basic areas.
“We don’t need to improve a great deal, we were flat that day. Our line defence didn’t communicate, but these are issues we have addresses and believe we will show a significant difference this week,” Fairhurst stated.
The Rebellion are known for being a tough team with their front row giving them a great platform early in their sets. The quick play the balls have the ability to cause problems for the Kings.
“We have to control the ruck and slow that area down for us to gain control,” Fairhurst said.
This match will see one team knocked out of the 2015 season, but for the winning team it will provide the confidence and momentum they will need in order to be competitive against a very strong Boston Thirteens side next weekend.