Blues get lucky

MACCABI will play a do-or-die finals match against Terrey Hills on Saturday after a stroke of luck saw the team finish in fourth position on the ladder.

While Clovelly had a big win and collected a four-try bonus point, the Blues only defeated Oakhill, 17-14, and slipped from third to fourth on the Meldrum Cup ladder.

But it was a blessing in disguise.

Instead of playing sixth-placed Canterbury, who beat Maccabi only two weeks ago, the Blues will now face fifth-placed Terrey Hills, who Maccabi beat 43-10 earlier in the season.

Captain Keith Friedlander said Maccabi wouldn’t shy away from any opposition.

“The fact is that we are capable of beating everyone on our day once we get ourselves back on track and we will need to win four straight now,” Friedlander said.

For a team that is known to play together, win together and party together, the biggest difference this season has been their attitude.

“We definitely have an attitude that needs adjusting because we have started playing as individuals and we are lacking structure.

“There is bickering and there are 10 opinions on everything, and we just need to get our structure and unity back and we need to play as one with one common goal.”

He said the shift was because of the playing roster having been changed due to players travelling overseas and injuries.

The captain said that while Saturday’s effort against Oakhill, when Maccabi only won by three points, was disappointing, if the players can come together at training this week, they still have a real chance of defending their Meldrum Cup championship.

The Blues will play Terrey Hills at Wills Ground in Earlwood at 1.30pm on Saturday in an elimination final.

If they win, they will play the winner of the second elimination final between Clovelly and Canterbury in another elimination match next week.

Maccabi will play Terrey Hills at 1.30pm at Wills Ground, Earlwood, on Saturday.

JOSHUA LEVI