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PREVIEW: Canberra v Queensland

The Vikings finished top of the ladder at the end of the regular season and this will be their second taste of finals after losing in the 2015 decider.

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The Canberra boys have shown consistency in their climb to the top and last weekend won a heart stopper 40-35 against Perth Spirit.

 

With first-year Head Coach Tim Sampson, the Canberra squad are feeling confident after beating their Queensland rivals 48-40 in the opening round.

 

However Country have completed a staggering turnaround this season after winning just five games in total prior to 2017. Now under the guidance of Brad Thorn, they are just one win from being crowned champions.

 

With a new focus on defence, Country have conceded an average of just 25.5 points this season, down from 49 last year. Their young back-row trio of Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright and Caleb Timu have thrived together and helped the side with 72 turnovers.

 

The decider will be held at Viking Park and will include a night of action-packed entertainment starting with a curtain raiser between ACT Fiji and Melbourne Fiji before the Grand Final kicks off.

*Article continues  below the video!

Teams:

Canberra Vikings: TBC

Queensland Country: 15 Patrick James, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Duncan Paia'aua (captain), 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Hamish Stewart, 9 James Tuttle, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Tai Ford, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Harry Hockings, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 Richie Asiata.

Replacements: 16 Alex Casey, 17 Gareth Ryan, 18 Gavin Luka, 19 Phil Potgieter, 20 Ted Postal, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Teti Tela, 23 Tony Hunt.

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Date: Saturday, November 11

Venue:  Vikings Park, Canberra

Kick-off: 19.30 AEDT (9.30 GMT)

Referee: William Houston

Assistant referees: Damon Murphy, Jordan Way

TMO: Ian Smith

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