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FEATURE STORY
USA Flavor In Playoffs
Two players named in the USA Tomahawks Train-On squad have featured heavily in the Queensland Rugby League’s playoff game to determine who moved straight into the 2012 championship game.
Redcliffe, featuring Tui Samoa, were 32-16 winners over Tweed Heads, a side containing Cory Blair in Sunday’s Grand Final qualifier.
Samoa came on for the Dolphins in the 27th minute and by the time the fulltime whistle had blown he had made 15 tackles, seven hit-ups and two line breaks.
The nuggety forward made a 30-meter bust down the right flank in the 49th minute that eventually led to a try as the Seagulls’ struggling defense wasn’t able to reset after his break.
Blair, who started the game, was replaced in the 60th minute, although was a busy man for the time he was on the field.
He made 20 tackles and seven hit-ups including a play that saw him tackled just short of the line in the 53rd minute.
Redcliffe has this week off, while Tweed will face defending premiers Wynnum-Manly in Sunday’s preliminary final.
The winner of that one will tangle with the Dolphins in the QRL Intrust Super Cup Grand Final on September 23 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
