The Kramer Ausenco Brothers survived an almost defeat at the hands of Credit Corporation Harlequins following a solid premier men’s top-of-the-table clash on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Bava Park in Port Moresby.
The Brothers were trailing 11-12 as the Harlequins kept their hopes alive with a 1-point lead. However, a few minutes before full time, the experienced PNG Pukpuk 7s player Kunak Late picked the ball from the ruck, side-stepped with a dummy to create a gap in the Harlequins' defensive line, and dashed away to the try line, securing the centre try. With a successful conversion, the black army ended the game with 18 points.
The KA Brothers lost to the Harlequins in round one but this time, they denied them from making another victory to register a 12-straight win. The Pepsi Moni Plus Capital Rugby Union favourites now have a decision to test each other's resilience when they meet again.
Brothers’ Coach Joe Kautu expressed: “We waited for this. We planned for this and prepared well for this. We lost the first one, but we never lost the second one. That's the attitude we have, and that's why we came in well-prepared.
“It's always a bonus to get one win over the Harlequins, as they got one over us, so it has to be a payback.”
Coach Kautu said the Brothers were well aware that the Harlequins were going to come at them very hard.
But the well executed game plan by the Brothers was instrumental in their victory, with the boys playing a most disciplined game without any yellow-cards received as the boys in black then marched off the field in style.
Excited Coach Kautu was impressed with his boys performances, stating: “We had a few injuries, but I think we did well with our substitutes going in. That is why we had good power coming off the bench to keep the momentum going.”
Kautu said they probably would have one more encounter in the decider with the Harlequins and they are looking forward to it.
The Brothers remain committed to the training and preparations and are looking to maintain their winning streak.
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