Stop Mahe Fangupo.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
If you’re looking to take down Blowes Clothing Cup contenders Forbes, that’s your goal.
So says Orange Emus coach Paul Ringland anyway.
“In my opinion he’s the best player in the competition, he leads them and does so very, very well,” Ringland said.
“He brings everyone else around him into the game and they, and the side, benefit from his influence.
“Stopping him, or at least minimising his influence on the game, is a big part of beating Forbes.”
That’s what Ringland’s side will need to do on Saturday then, when the greens host the Platypi at Endeavour Oval in a blockbuster rematch of last year’s grand final – which the greens won 14-11 thanks to Nigel Staniforth’s boot.
Both Emus and Forbes are gunning for a second straight victory after accounting for Dubbo Rhinos and Dubbo Kangaroos last week, respectively. The Platypi scored on the full-time hooter to claim a 26-22 victory.
“It’s probably a bit early in the season to be saying which side goes in favourites, considering both won last weekend, but we know how much motivation there is for Forbes,” Ringland said.
“We beat them in last year’s big game and and I know how hungry we were in 2015 after losing the grand final the season before, especially when we played Dubbo ‘Roos, who beat us in that game.
“Forbes will coming over here to win, and win big probably, there’s no doubt about that.”
There’s no shortage of motivation for the greens either though.
“We don’t like losing at the best of times, but we definitely don’t want to lose one of these early season games, that wouldn’t be ideal,” Ringland said.
“Forbes beat us late last season at home and that really stung us. It kicked us into gear too, but it stung us. We don’t want that to happen on the weekend.”
Although Fangupo’s influence is undeniable, Ringland also highlighted skipper Jack Hammond and 2017 recruit Charlie French as danger men.
He said, if it’s possible, his side is expecting a better Platypi side than it faced last year too.
“Jack’s their general, when they need someone to stand up it’s always him in that backline,” Ringland said.
“Having Charlie French will give them a big boost as well. It should give them that scrum they didn’t really have last year. Not that we were dominant, but we did get them at scrum time a little bit so that will help them.
“We’re expecting a Forbes side as good as, if not better than, last year and there’s little doubt it’ll be a great game of rugby.”
Ringland has made a couple of changes. Nas Havealeta and Simon Badgery are unavailable and are being replaced by Al Hattersley and Rob Thorburn respectively.
With AJ Sykes’ returning, he takes the No.10 jersey and Carter Hirini moves to outside centre.
Kick off at Endeavour Oval is at 3.15pm.
- ORANGE EMUS: 1 Al Hattersley, 2 Tom Goolagong, 3 Michael Graham, 4 Sam McLean, 5 Nick Hughes-Clapp, 6 Scott McLean, 7 Andrew Selwood, 8 Rob Thorburn, 9 Sam Green, 10 AJ Sykes, 11 Tom Green, 12 Lachie Harris, 13 Carter Hirini, 14 Levi Russell, 15 Nigel Staniforth ©