The best of the best in premier men's rugby will duke it out today for provincial supremacy.
The St. Albert firsts will defend their coveted Labatt's Cup championship against the notoriously tough Calgary Hornets at 4 p.m. at the Ellerslie Rugby Park. Admission is $5 and parking is free.
"It's been a good rivalry the last few years between the two teams. It's always a good, hard game," St. Albert captain Brett Kelly told the Gazette after Thursday's training session.
"It's definitely going to be a battle all game for sure. They play a similar game plan as us. It's tough that way to play them. They have a big, good pack like us and they play a similar back line," Kelly said.
St. Albert's last three matches against the 2009 provincial champs and two-time Alberta Cup pennant winners have ended in bitter defeats.
"That's extra incentive for the guys," Kelly said. "We're looking forward to playing them. I know I can't wait for Saturday."
Winning streak
The firsts march into the final as winners of 11 in a row after losing their season-opening three matches.
"The team we're fielding is a solid team. There is no doubt in my mind we can do it, we've just got to come prepared on Saturday and turn it on for 80 minutes. If we don't bring 80 minutes to the game I don't know what's going to happen," Kelly said.
The last loss by the firsts was in late May, when the Hornets roughed them up 27-14 in St. Albert.
Last year, with first place at stake and both teams missing players because of Prairie Wolf Pack commitments, the Hornets stung the firsts 26-10 in Red Deer in the last game before the playoffs.
They also upset an undefeated St. Albert side in a wild 24-22 affair in the 2009 final at Ellerslie.
"After those losses they're going to have that taste in their mouth. They definitely want to beat us so they're going to rise to the challenge," Hornets captain Dustin MacPherson said in a phone interview. "That's the pinnacle club in Edmonton we're playing. If they're not number one then they're definitely number two in the province. Of course, we think we're one of the best clubs in the province too. We're just happy to have a chance to play against them."
The Hornets are 12-2 overall after whipping the second-place Calgary Saints 50-12 in the southern Alberta final.
"I suppose the stats tell you that we are favoured in the final but by no means do we think we're favoured," MacPherson said. "To win a championship against any team in Alberta, and especially St. Albert, you've got to meet them up front. You've got to be ruthless on defence and you've got to make your tackles.
"And, the team that will win on the day is going to be the team that makes the least amount of errors."
Hungry Hornets
The Hornets have unfinished business on the playoff pitch after going down to defeat 25-15 to the Calgary Canucks in the 2010 semifinals.
"We're super excited to have the opportunity to be in the provincial final, especially after the loss last year when we had some key players away [with the Prairie Wolf Pack] against the Canucks," said MacPherson, who will play in his third provincial final in seven years with the Hornets.
The Calgarians drove to Edmonton on Friday night so they would be fresh and focused for the big game.
"We don't travel well. I don't think any team that sits in a car for three hours can basically step up and play a game like the final. You must come prepared. That's why we're basically taking the whole weekend off to come to Edmonton," said MacPherson, 27.
The valuable inside-centre from Sydney, Australia is among six Hornets remaining from their 2009 championship team.
"That's a huge turnover," he said. "We have more depth this year. We've had an influx of members of the Hornets Academy that did a program of six months in winter and they basically solidified their spots on the top 22 men's roster."
The majority of the Hornets' first 15 remains intact from their victory in St. Albert.
"Since then we've added a couple of forwards and one prop. The back line is pretty much the same as what it was then," MacPherson said.
The Hornets will be missing a veteran second row/lineout jumper because of an injury and their starting fullback because of a wedding in Winnipeg.
"Both are key losses," MacPherson said.
Big game experience
St. Albert will field a different line-up than the one that suffered a rare home loss when the Hornets humbled the firsts. The bulk of the starters remain the same that rallied to defeat the dreaded Clansmen 22-12 in last weekend's thriller for the Ken Ann Cup in the northern Alberta final. Scrumhalf Jake Robinson will not be available and Matt Herod will fill in for the Wolf Pack player. Herod will also kick for posts. Standoff Mark (Percy) Langford injured his shoulder against the Clan and was replaced by veteran Ashley Hanson. Langford's status for the final was uncertain at press time.
The first 15 against the Clan included seven players that started against the Canucks in the 2010 final. Nine players listed on the 22-man roster against the Clan also dressed for the 2009 final.
"That experience helps a lot confidence-wise," said Kelly, 22.
The most punishing eight-man in Alberta is one of only a handful of St. Albert players that will play in four consecutive premier finals — the firsts lost the 2008 and 2009 provincials as the top playoff seeds — and the 2007 provincial second division championship team that finished 18-1. The overall record for the firsts since rejoining the premier ranks in 2008 is 50-9-1.
A sweet repeat today would enrich St. Albert's status as a club and a half.
"Obviously we're trying not to think too much about the trophy or anything like that. We've been building towards this game throughout the year. This is that final step and we want to win it," said Kelly, a high school rugby product of the Paul Kane Blues.
