Nerang Bulls will look to defend their Phil Temperton Cup crown this Saturday when they host Griffith Uni Knights in a rematch of last year's Grand Final.
The occasion carries extra weight for the club, with Nerang fielding all three senior grades in grand finals this weekend.
GCDRU caught up with 1st grade head coach Te Ari Mahuri to preview the decider.
GCDRU: Firstly, how have the boys used the week off after winning the major semi?
Mahuri: Our focus switched to our second grade boys for our week off. They ran out of time unfortunately in their major semi last weekend so they had to play in the prelim.
So we've had a good week.
GCDRU: This is the third time you've faced the Knights in 21 days. How much of what you've learned from those two games has shaped your preparation this week?
Mahuri: We're not focussed on Colleges, we just need to worry about ourselves.
Finals footy is a different beast and anything can happen. As long as we worry about ourselves then I'm sure we'll get the job done.
GCDRU: Did you have a chance to watch the Knights' prelim? Is there anything different you've seen in their game since the regular season, or do you feel like you know them pretty well at this point?
Mahuri: Yeah we were down at the prelim to watch our seconds boys and caught a little bit of the first grade game.
Colleges will be ready for this week. The regular season games don't matter now - if they did then they would be favourites to win as they got us 2-1.
GCDRU: What's the biggest difference between your 2026 Bulls squad and last year's squad?
Mahuri: Nothing much has changed. There's still the same desire to win the premiership.
I think we're a lot hungrier than we were in both the '24 and '25 season.
There's a few new faces to the group this year and they've slotted in very well.
GCDRU: Grand final week, on your home ground, with three Nerang teams all playing in grand finals across the grades. What's the mood like around the club right now?
Mahuri: We're happy. We were in this position in '24 and took all 3 grades. Last year our 2s and 3s got pipped but now we're back at home with all 3 in another Grand Final.
So we're pretty happy.
GCDRU: Home ground advantage is a big factor in a game like this. What does playing the decider at Nerang mean to you and the playing group?
Mahuri: Our committee worked hard for us to get the GF this year, so to have all 3 senior teams in there again is pretty special.
But we're not here to participate, we're here to take it all again, in front of Nevar, in front of our whanau and friends at our home!!
GCDRU: If the Bulls are to go on and win, who is your tip for man of the match?
Mahuri: After we win I don't think I could name one player.
I just hope for a good team performance and a game the playing group can be proud of.
Nerang face off against the Knights this Saturday at 3pm at Nerang Rugby Club. Can't make the game? The match will be livestreamed on the QRU Youtube page.
