Defending champions Tupapa Panthers are planning to execute all their moves from their trainings when they meet Avatiu Nikao Eels in what they expect to be a tough battle in Rarotonga Club 15s competition final this Saturday.

The Panthers defeated the Eels in last year’s showdown and have met twice this season sharing a win each.

Team captain Daniel Toa believes they can repeat another classic win to close the 2024 season on a high but remain wary of the “swamp boys”.

“We’re expecting a really tough game against Avatiu. Our last couple of games we’ve been playing, it’s just been a two-point margin where it’s been tough. It could have gone either way and we’re expecting a really tough game from them.”

Toa shares the team’s confidence has been growing throughout the last couple of weeks and as a team, they will execute from their set pieces and make sure they are winning balls back and keeping possession throughout the game.

His advice to the players is to enjoy the moment and make the most of the match “as it is only once in a while they get to make grand finals”.

Toa also said they were not too worried about what the Eels have got planned, adding they would be executing what they have trained for throughout the season to help them retain the title.

He called on all Tupapa supporters to support the team.

The Darren Piri-coached Panthers finished second behind the Eels with four wins and two losses. The side outmuscled Arorangi Bears 14-8 in a tough semifinal last weekend.

The Eels finished the preliminary round of the competition on top with five wins from six matches. In the semifinal last week, the Clive Nicholas-coached side defeated Titikaveka Bulldogs 48-24.

Avatiu Nikao Eels skipper Li Ponini says the team has individual talents across the pitch and they will be focusing on their backline and forwards as their key strengths.

Ponini said in their previous matches against the Panthers, they won the first game, lost the second but they have identified the minor areas that they struggled in.

Talking about the challenges they expect against the Panthers, Ponini said: “Mainly the heavy forwards and some of the key players in the backline. They’ve got really good centres. So that’s something we have to watch out for and isolate them going out onto the field on Saturday.”

The advice to the team he says is to “switch on, straight from kick-off”.

“Don’t wait for the opponents to score against us first. Let’s start scoring first. Piling up the points, a big defence all day.”

Cook Islands Rugby Union development manager Ben Koteka said a key factor in the final would be discipline – the team that best handles the pressure on the day would probably come out victorious.

Koteka hailed the two skippers saying Ponini has been playing well for the Eels leading from the front and Toa’s leadership has been crucial for the Panthers.

The Panthers versus the Eels premier men’s final will kick off at 4pm at Teimurimotia Park in Titikaveka.