Could the Soldiers cop the Police this evening?
View(s):Police and Army will feature in a match that is expected to be a close call for both teams in their last first round contest which kicks off today at Police Park.
Police make up a side on the rise and as such go out as the favourite team although Army has the potential to make a match of it.
Overall both teams can be classed as evenly matched as far as the foreign-player factor is concerned.
If Police can boast of one thing it is their backline that is second to none with Fijian centre Apisai Naqaliva leading the way in every match.
Police are currently ranked in the fourth slot while Army are slotted in the sixth position.
What puts Police ahead of Army and makes them the better team today is that they have scored 27 tries compared to 19 by Army.
But although they may go in as underdogs Army can also take this opportunity to bounce back after declining in morale since they were badly defeated by Navy 48-3 three weeks ago. Since then Army took on Hambantota Sharks and won but their real test to get back into the reckoning will come today against Police.
The side that scores first and takes the lead will definitely be at a psychological advantage and Police as always on their home ground have done it. Where they will have to guard against will be in their defence as Army also have some effective runners and the weight in the pack to secure the ball.
Both teams have won four matches each from the seven games they have played in but what keeps Police ahead in the rankings is that they have raked in five bonus points.
CR host Air Force
Another match of the same tournament, CR and FC will host Air Force at Longden Place today.
Air Force are not expected to win but being their last first round game they could go all out to spoil CR and FC’s party.
Air Force have yet to win a match in the League having suffered seven consecutive defeats.
They will need to come up with something extraordinary if they are to upset their host who possess the better team. – MDF