CLONCURRY plays host to the Mount Isa Irish Club Rugby Union A-grade competition tomorrow night but the spotlight won’t be on the home side.
For the first time this season, an outright ladder leader will be determined after the match between Euros and Warrigals.
These two sides have plenty of recent history, having played in some thrilling games last summer — including the grand final.
More recently, Euros opened the season with a fine 26-20 win, while last time these two sides met — at Cloncurry — Warrigals took honours 25-15.
Through the sheer fact each side lines up differently from week to week in the MIRU, finding a form line is difficult.
But from recent form, Warrigals enter tomorrow night’s game as the favourites.
Last week they were magnificent when defeating Keas 38-19 at the Town Leagues Club.
Keas pushed the Dingoes for most of the 80 minutes, but when push came to shove, the Warrigals forwards had too much strength and the backs had too much class.
Euros will have more firepower in their front row than Keas, but the reigning premACiers are known for struggling to travel with a full strength side for the matches in Cloncurry.
Last time they had just one player on the interchange and Warrigals took full advantage.
If it happens again Warrigals will dominate.
Big men Mick Scotney, Archie Lord and Max Mann are in top form at present and last week stood tall in the absence of brothers Matt and Jackson Seymour.
With just two games under his belt this season, flyhalf Brendan Baillie has been rusty but started to show glimpses of his best in the second half against Keas.
Captain and halfback Guy Constable has been terrific.
For Euros, they will be relying on the likes of Jonathon Misiaga, Sione Tuiano and Peter Lyngcoln to lead the way up forward, while the likes of Harley Foley and Patrick Dargan can provide support on the flanks.
Out wide, winger Vili Nuku is in hot form after two thrilling tries last week, while fullback Zemic Patuwai is just starting to hit his straps.
In the second game tomorrow night, the home side should come up trumps against Keas, who have yet to win a game this season.
The Blues aren’t far away from a breakthrough victory, but lack the needed confidence to convert possession into points.
Bobby Wehrman should only improve after his impressive debut last week.
Cloncurry will be hard to beat, though, having proven to be the most defensive team in the MIRU this season.
At home, they are nearly unstoppable, with players coming out of the woodwork to pull the boots on.
Mick Chaplain and Jim Wreford are in a class of their own and have been leading the way of late, standing up in the absence of injured skipper Cameron Moore.
Although the Curry lacks size in its scrum and is often well beaten, it makes up for it with expert and determined tackling in general play.
Nick Gentle at number eight has been putting his hand up for representative selection, while Tim Smith is starting to find his feet in the transition from rugby league to union.
In an even competition, the results can go either way tomorrow night.
TIPS: Warrigals by 7 points, Cloncurry by 15.
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