Breakers pin hopes on upset results
Gold Coast will have to defeat Minor Premiers Brothers at Crosby Park to have any chance of a semi-final spot in Trinity Premier Rugby.
The Breakers need to win and hope either GPS or Sunnybank stumble at their final hurdle in order to achieve an unlikely finals appearance.
They're currently fifth following three consecutive wins, three points behind equal third placed GPS and Sunnybank (55), but their recent good form will go unrewarded if the results go as expected.
Sunnybank looks unstoppable with their formidable line-up and face ninth placed University, while GPS have won seven consecutive games and host wooden spooners Wests in the final round.
The Brethren were convincing 43-21 victors last time they and the Breakers met and have only lost once this season.
Victories over Souths, Easts and Wests mean the Breakers will enter the match full of confidence, but must rise another notch if they hope to defeat an in form Brothers line-up.
Brothers continued their dominance last weekend with a 14-man defeat of Norths to move 10 points clear of second placed Easts (61).
Coach Rob Murdoch was pleased with the attitude and position of his side on the eve of the finals.
"I couldn't be happier. As a group these guys are really close and play for each other and worked hard during the season," Murdoch said.
"We've got some improvements in our execution to go, but obviously every team in the competition is trying to improve the longer the year goes on."
Murdoch will field his strongest possible side except for suspended lock Liam Shaw and injured fullback Damon Murphy.
"I think the nothing to play for attitude is a bit of a myth in this instance as we do need to work on how we're going to play or the quality of football we want to play at finals time," he said.
"What we need to work on a little bit more is our patience and our ability to go multiple phases and therefore sustain pressure on the opposition in attack.
"I'm happy with the way our defence is going at the moment. It can always be improved on but for 70 minutes against Norths last week it was very good."
