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Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=154053
Finals time for league
AMIT RAJ
August 20, 2010
FOUR weekends of rugby league finals to decide the 2010 Vodafone Cup winner will get under way from tomorrow with the preliminary semi-finals in Suva and Lautoka.
Five Eastern and three Western Conference teams have qualified for the top eight with KBL Saru Dragons in pole position followed by Police Sharks, Hot Bread Kitchen Nabua Broncos, Sigatoka Electric Sabeto Roosters, Makoi Bulldogs, Dee Cees Nadera Panthers, Namatakula Saints and Islands Electric Crushers.
Western Conference winners Dragons are tipped for a big win over Crushers, Eastern Conference winners Sharks are in a tricky clash against defending champion Saints, in-form Broncos face traditional giants Panthers and Roosters take on Bulldogs in a match that can also go either way.
FNRL development officer Sale Tubuna said the preliminary semi-finals would be followed by minor semi-finals involving six teams, major semi-finals and grand final.
"After the preliminary semi-finals, teams will be ranked one-eight based on their win or loss margin.
"The team with the highest winning margin will directly qualify for the major semi-finals. They will not play in the minor semi-finals next week.
"The team that loses by the highest margin will drop out and the remaining six teams will play in the minor semi-finals.
"The three winners from the minor semi-finals will play in the major semi-finals along with the team that was ranked one after the preliminary semi-finals. The winners of the major semi-finals will move to the grand final.
"Basically we're following the Australian NRL format," Tubuna said.
He said while Dragons were expected to pile the points against Crushers, tomorrow's remaining matches would be very tough.
"It will be very interesting. There are no easy games now. It's the clash of the titans.
"Teams like Panthers, Broncos, Bulldogs and Saints are rated equally.
"Sharks have been consistent but Saints can regroup. It depends on how teams play and whether they get the basics right or not."
Tubuna picked the likes of Jone Wesele (Bulldogs), Timoci Yauvoli (Broncos) and Epeli Soro (Sharks) as players to look out for in the preliminary semis.
Saints beat Panthers to win last year's grand final.
Finals time for league
AMIT RAJ
August 20, 2010
FOUR weekends of rugby league finals to decide the 2010 Vodafone Cup winner will get under way from tomorrow with the preliminary semi-finals in Suva and Lautoka.
Five Eastern and three Western Conference teams have qualified for the top eight with KBL Saru Dragons in pole position followed by Police Sharks, Hot Bread Kitchen Nabua Broncos, Sigatoka Electric Sabeto Roosters, Makoi Bulldogs, Dee Cees Nadera Panthers, Namatakula Saints and Islands Electric Crushers.
Western Conference winners Dragons are tipped for a big win over Crushers, Eastern Conference winners Sharks are in a tricky clash against defending champion Saints, in-form Broncos face traditional giants Panthers and Roosters take on Bulldogs in a match that can also go either way.
FNRL development officer Sale Tubuna said the preliminary semi-finals would be followed by minor semi-finals involving six teams, major semi-finals and grand final.
"After the preliminary semi-finals, teams will be ranked one-eight based on their win or loss margin.
"The team with the highest winning margin will directly qualify for the major semi-finals. They will not play in the minor semi-finals next week.
"The team that loses by the highest margin will drop out and the remaining six teams will play in the minor semi-finals.
"The three winners from the minor semi-finals will play in the major semi-finals along with the team that was ranked one after the preliminary semi-finals. The winners of the major semi-finals will move to the grand final.
"Basically we're following the Australian NRL format," Tubuna said.
He said while Dragons were expected to pile the points against Crushers, tomorrow's remaining matches would be very tough.
"It will be very interesting. There are no easy games now. It's the clash of the titans.
"Teams like Panthers, Broncos, Bulldogs and Saints are rated equally.
"Sharks have been consistent but Saints can regroup. It depends on how teams play and whether they get the basics right or not."
Tubuna picked the likes of Jone Wesele (Bulldogs), Timoci Yauvoli (Broncos) and Epeli Soro (Sharks) as players to look out for in the preliminary semis.
Saints beat Panthers to win last year's grand final.