Red vs Blue. Mate vs Mate. State vs….OK, two out of three.
It’s ACT rugby’s biggest rivalry, and in the Premier 15s Grand Final, old wounds are opened again as Vikings take on Royals.
Royals are the current holders, and it’s not exactly been a dominant period for Vikings, but Tuggeranong go into this Grand Final as heavy favourites after a dominant season.
Inspirational captain Pearl Rakete in her first season in red and white has been sensational, and has led a new-look Vikings group to the cusp of glory, as young and old combine for what is a deadly force.
Teliya Hetaraka pulls the strings brilliantly from flyhalf for Vikings, with Gisela Vea improving with every game at halfback.
Vikings boast brilliant ball-carryers all over the pitch, Tabua Tuinakauvadra probably the most potent, and pace to burn out wide with Gabby Petersen.
Royals are not without quality either, and will have Wallaroos Michaela Leonard and Louise Ferris Medalist Grace Kemp in their ranks for the big dance.
Leonard, intriguingly, is a premiership winner with Vikings and will be up for the challenge against her former team.
Ash Fernandez is one of the best young players in the country, and will need to step up if she’s to add another title in her young career.
The same could be said for her namesake Ash Bishop, who kicked the winner after the bell in the 2020 Grand Final for Royals.
Expect fireworks in this one, as the Premier 15s close out the 2022 season on field one.
