Pirates Adam Cross and Jacob Law
A SPOT in the Mid-North Coast Rugby grand final beckons The Westport Club Port Macquarie Pirates tomorrow, but standing in the way is a big forward pack who must be stopped.
The Pirates have the confidence and the troops to win Saturday's match and secure the home-ground advantage for the decider.
They have the same starting XV as last weekend, and a good record against Coffs this season is also in the Pirates' favour.
Coach Marc Minor said a draw with Coffs in a mid-week match back in June was a watershed moment for the side.
"We were very pleased with that," he said.
Since then the team has played some good rugby, thanks in part to the strong centre pairing of Jacob Law and Ryan Dodunski.
Law works for NAB, and Minor is banking on him having another strong game.
"Those two are like the Tim Horan and Jason Little of the Pirates," he quipped.
"Gee they've been solid this season, like they [the Wallaby pairing] were."
Minor said Law was a "good, honest rugby player.
"He certainly punches above his weight," he said.
Before they can even think about a decider though, the Pirates must stop a potent Coffs forward pack.
"They have a big forward pack, and that creates issues for us," Minor said. "But we have a game plan to stop that, and we'll be doing that again on Saturday."
"Their No. 8 is also a danger player, but we've managed to shut him down in the past."
Minor said a Port Macquarie grand final would be great for the town.
"We'll be doing our best to bring back a grand final for the people of Port Macquarie," he said.
