THREAT: Sione ‘Junior’ Fafau’ou weaves his way through the Dubbo Rhinos’ defences two weeks ago.
WORD of Orange City’s try-scoring wizard Sione ‘Junior’ Fafau’ou has well and truly reached the ears of CSU Bathurst ahead of Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash in the Blowes Clothing Cup.
Fafau’ou scored a brace of tries in last Saturday’s watershed win in Narromine, taking his 2012 tally to an incredible 13 five-pointers in only six first grade appearances.
This includes a hat-trick against Dubbo Rhinos and an amazing four tries against Cowra Eagles.
CSU Bathurst captain Matthew Boylan-Smith said his side was more than aware of the threat posed by Fafau’ou.
“Of course we’ve heard of him. It’s a phenomenal effort,” Boylan-Smith said.
“We’ll have our work cut out trying to control him on Saturday.”
Boylan-Smith would not reveal the tactics the students will use to neutralise Fafau’ou, preferring instead to talk up the attacking prowess of his own squad.
“We’ve been talking ourselves down and flying under the radar, but we’re six from six too and we’ve got points in us,” Boylan-Smith said.
“Our fullback, Jack Garrad, has scored almost as many tries (as Fafau’ou) and has been doing really well.
“We’ll just try to worry about ourselves.”
Orange City and CSU Bathurst are both on 28 competition points, nine clear of their nearest rival Narromine.
The Gorillas provide a useful yardstick in measuring the two teams, having faced both in the past fortnight.
Two weeks ago, CSU prevailed 27-15 at Bathurst, ending Narromine’s own undefeated streak in the 2012 minor premiership.
And last Saturday City ended a hoodoo of their own, thrashing the Gorillas 31-8 at Cale Oval to atone for a heart-breaking loss at the same venue in 2011.
Orange City will once again be without captain Josh Maley, who requires a full knee reconstruction and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
City coach Steve Hamson admits the side will feel Maley’s absence, but found a silver lining for the club.
“He has moved across to our coaching ranks. He’ll be looking after the breakdown area for us,” Hamson said.
“He was fairly devastated by the news and he is an important part of our future so it’s good to keep him around the team.”
The two teams will face off this Saturday at Pride Park in Orange.
