NOT one for dramatic speeches, Griffith Blacks coach Seru Rogo will give his players a simple message before they run out for tomorrow’s Southern Inland Rugby Union grand final against Albury in Wagga.
“I will tell them to treat it like a normal game like they have played all year,” Rogo said.
“That’s it. I want them to go out, play footy and have the will to win the game.
“I also want them to remember to enjoy it.”
That last request may be difficult to fulfil considering what’s at stake, but Rogo has plenty of faith in his players.
The Blacks have won their past eight games and beat defending premier Albury in the last round of the season.
But Rogo said Albury would be tougher to defeat with the Walsh and Blair Cup up for grabs.
“This team we’re playing against, it’s their third grand final in four years,” he said.
“The score they put on against Waratahs (in the preliminary final) showed what a different team they are in finals.
“Especially that this is a grand final. There’s no next week.
“They’ll turn up ready to play and we’ll have to do the same.”
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Rawaqa and Marika Vunibaka in their line-up, the Blacks boast plenty of strike-power, but Rogo expects both teams to start cautiously.
“It’ll be tight at first,” Rogo said.
“Probably the first couple of penalties, if they (Albury) are close to our goals, they will probably have shots.
“It’s a grand final, so they’ll take the three points.
“But I think we’ll see some tries scored near the end of the first half.”
Whatever happens tomorrow, Rogo is proud the Blacks have made it this far and thanked his support staff for all their efforts.
“Our first grade manager Carl Chirgwin, he makes all the boys happy,” Rogo said.
“Also my assistant coaches Andrew Scott and Daryl Prince. Especially Daryl, who has been with me from the first training session until now.
“He would come over to my house and discuss things with me. He’s one of the big reasons why we’re here.
“And also a big thank you has to go to our sponsors.”