This Saturday, the Guangzhou Rams and the Shenzhen Dragons rugby teams will lock horns. The winner of the 80-minute skirmish will represent South China the in the semifinals of the Sino-15s Rugby Championship, held in Chengdu.
The loser will taste the bitter notes of defeat and sniff the spicy fumes of hot pot as they go on to clash with the Chongqing Conquerors in the Sino 15s consolation round.
In a previous matchup between the Dragons and Rams, the Rams won big. Subsequently, both teams have had some roster changes and Saturday's result is up in the air as Shenzhen has been known to foil the Rams recently.
Guangzhou will be playing with a large chip on their shoulder, trying to preserve an undefeated season and secure a semifinals berth to reach the finals against likely China North Champions, the Shanghai Silver Dragons.
Guangzhou and Shenzhen fight for a lineout during last November's matchup
One-loss squad Shenzhen would love to play the foil and punch their ticket to the semis instead. To beat the Rams during Guangzhou's 20th anniversary season would be icing on the cake. Look for Shenzhen to come in just as motivated. Their lone blemish on the season is to a Rams squad in November.
Shenzhen will come with a detailed game plan aimed at stopping Guangzhou's high powered backs and will look to their forwards to assert themselves at rucks and at the breakdowns. They need to hope Guangzhou comes out slow due to their big win against the Dragons earlier this season and capitalize on it by jumping to an early lead.
Guangzhou will win if: the Rams come out focused and play with their backs and attacking game. No team, save a talented Shanghai squad, can stop the Rams once the ball is being ran full tilt down the sidelines.
Shenzhen will win if: They are able to score first and capitalize on early mistakes by the Rams. They have no margin for error and will have to perfectly execute their game plan.
Our prediction: Rams secure their spot in the semis and prevail by three tries. Mass quantities of Tiger Beer are then consumed at Hooley's by both sides.
The Location
Host Guangzhou Rams had difficulty securing a pitch inside Guangzhou for this game, meaning the action will take place in neighboring Foshan. We can only hope they re-secure their old pitch near South China Normal University in the near future.
To accommodate fans who want to go to Foshan to see the action, there will be a bus leaving from Hooley's Pub at noon. The same bus will arrive back at Hooley's once the game concludes. Anyone who wishes to take the bus or metro should be advised that kick-off is at 2pm.
The Afterparty
The obligatory post-game social will take place as soon as the bus arrives back to Hooley's from the pitch and will last until the wee hours of the morning. Hooley's will be the place to be in Guangzhou as members of the Dragons and Rams come together for a bacchanalian soiree right out of Animal House. Look for the party to be chock full grown men in short shorts terrorizing anyone who accidentally ventures onto the third floor at the pub.
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