NEW England Rugby Union celebrates a huge grand final day at Bellevue Oval this Saturday while Central North begins its six-team finals playoffs in Moree and Inverell on Saturday.
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A fourth grade exhibition between Albies and Barbarians kicks off a NERU grand final big day in Armidale at 10.15am followed by the third grade (Barbarians v Armldale 11.20am), second grade (Guyra v Albies 12.30pm) and first grade (Albies v Barbarins 3pm) grand finals.
Interspersed are junior matches as well as two women's rugby matches.
Central North Rugby Union president Tony Byrnes is looking forward to an exciting finals series.
"The six finalists have now been decided following Saturday's last round of Tier 1 and 2 games," Byrnes reported.
"Pirates are first grade minor premiers and club champions and will have a week off before taking on second placed Narrabri at Ken Chillingworth Oval, Tamworth on Saturday, August 20.
"Moree slipped into third place following Walcha's defeat at the hands of Pirates last Saturday while Walcha finish fourth spot leaving Inverell fifth and surprise package Quirindi sixth. Quirindi won all their Tier 2 games.
"Moree will be at home against Quirindi this Saturday in the first elimination final while Walcha take on Inverell in the second elimination final."
Tony Byrnes said the losers this weekend will be eliminated while the winners will make the final 4.
"This year's two-tier variation has created a lot of interest with all clubs in with a chance to feature in the top six right up until last round," he said.
"It promises to be an exciting finals series."
* Meanwhile in international rugby, New Zealand’s Sonny Bill Williams has had his hopes of playing in an Olympic final dashed after the code crossing superstar ruptured his achilles in the Kiwi’s shock 12-10 opening loss to Japan at Deodora Stadium in Rio.
The dynamic utility also looks likely to miss the upcoming Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championships fixtures.
Australia also got off to a poor start in Rio, going down to France in their campaign opener.
