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FEATURE STORY
Keys To Grand Final
As the clock ticks down to the American National Rugby League Grand Final XIV, New York and Connecticut are busying themselves with final preparations and lineups for Friday night’s big game.
Between them, the Knights and Wildcats have been to the Cup Final seven times, but this will be the first time that that they have faced each other in the championship decider.
Both teams have a healthy mix of homegrown talent and foreign players and each will be relying heavily on the experience and skill of their imports.
While the league’s leading point-scorer Nigel Millgate and top try-scorer Regan Hyde have led the way for the Knights all season long, Matt Walsh and Drew Duggan have been inspirational for the Wildcats.
New York’s ace up the sleeve might just be the combination of their other import Andrew Moody and USA Tomahawks lock forward Sean Taylor. They have provided tremendous go forward all season at the back of the scrum and pivot, allowing Hyde and Millgate to run amok off quick play the balls and a retreating defense.
The Wildcats have their own exciting prospect in halfback Charlie Rizzo. With support runners and options, he could be the Cats’ secret weapon on offense along with his enthusiasm on defense to lift the team at key moments.
Both teams are potent offensive units and both can stop an opponent dead in their tracks with uncompromising defense meaning the outcome could hinge on the first slipup by either side.
Keys to the Grand Final:
New York
• Stick to what has worked all season - be tough, uncompromising and consistent
• Play with control and field position via a great kicking game
• Work off the back of go forward and quick play the balls
• Dominate the ruck on defense and maintain line speed
• Support play and building pressure is the Knights’ best asset
• Shutdown Walsh out of dummy half
• Pressure Duggan's kicking game
Connecticut
• Contain or at least slow down the Knights’ threats on offense
• Must compete early in the game and unsettle the Knights
• Convert opportunities into points
• Big men must meet the challenge up front
• Challenge the Knights at the advantage line on offense with skill players
• Shutdown Millgate at first receiver
• Contain Hyde on the edge
Friday night’s title decider in Manhattan promises to be a rugby league spectacle not to be missed.
AMNRL GRAND FINAL XIV
9pm EST
Pier 40, Manhattan
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