Stags Set To Stake Their Claim

Tasmanian Rugby’s State-wide ladder may see some shifts this weekend with top teams Launceston and Burnie threatened by Glenorchy, who host Launceston at Eady Street and likely to welcome several players back from injury.  Stags coach Shannan Banks is relishing confronting Launceston, despite mixed recent results.  ‘We let one slip away against Quins, so there’s much more on the line this week’ he said, reflecting on Glenorchy’s recent form.
 
Launceston need to get their best from a strong pack as their consistency has yet to result in spreading the ball over 80 minutes.  Historically it is harder to achieve on the road, but the ladder-leaders are focusing on keep their run intact, and with Glenorchy unlikely to negate possession from sound set plays by the visitors the real contest looks to be around the breakdown and how the Launceston defence reacts to probing from Wally and Stuart Dare and Josh Papera.  Launceston have spread their efforts so far but the charges of loose head Bertie Loubser and lock Nick Sotirou and the linking game of Robbie Lyons could be pivotal in their performance.
 
Second placed Burnie are at home to neighbours Devonport Bulls who will be hoping to rejuvenate their standing after recent losses.  The Emus attractive open play will be sure to again draw healthy support.  After threatening to severely embarrass Taroona last week Burnie lost their focus on setting repeat phases.  Given Devonport’s history of conceding penalties in this aspect, patience could prove the deciding factor as both sides can test defences once regular ball starts to flow.
 
Devonport have not been able to devote recent practice to their set pieces and Burnie may establish an advantage by shoring up their line-out throwing.  Burnie’s strength at the ruck brings runners like Brett Bentley, Rhys Webber and Sunia Radravu into contention, but they can be matched by Bulls’ strikers Marika Meo, Sean Puke and Dean Wallace so an enthralling derby beckons.
 
Taroona will attempt to recover their backline flow against a Hobart Lions side struggling to rebuild.  Hard-nosed defence in the inside channel has blitzed Taroona over their last three outings which Hobart might note as the Taroona back-row have carried a heavy burden supporting a sliding back line over 80 minutes as well as providing go-forward pressure.  If James Holman can provide line-out ball off the top Taroona could test Hobart through the mid-field with charges from Don Leota, Pat Schramm and James Wicks providing momentum for further width that will test the Lions.  Hobart are relying on scraps to feed Wilhelm Koch and Kyle Holland and badly need regular controlled ball.
 
Harlequins should continue Eastern Suburbs woes at Rugby Park as they have found enough regular possession in the last two outings to allow David Wooliman to release backs like Sidney Filea.  Easts toiled well enough last week to score points against the run of play.  Jon and Brendan Elliott and Jake Hyland display the spirit that can test Quins if more team members follow.
 
Round 8 Fixtures (Saturday 21 May 2011): Hobart Lions v Taroona (3pm, Rugby Park 1); Harlequins v Eastern Suburbs (3pm, Rugby Park 2); Glenorchy v Launceston (3pm, Eady Street); Burnie v Devonport (2.30pm, Burnie Sports Ground)