Flair players could ignite final

Defence and discipline will be foremost in the Western Sharks and Mid Northern teams' minds as they run out  at Toll Stadium tomorrow but with a little luck the teams will fall back on the flair they have shown all year and deliver a fitting finale to the club
rugby season.
Just three weeks ago, Mid Northern scored a late try to win a thrilling Round 17 encounter by two points, 28-26.
Shark's skipper Garry Whippy said it was a benchmark performance by his side  who have developed  during the season.
"I think we matched them last time against Mid Northern and we were unlucky not to win then and we'll be looking to go one better in the final," Whippy said.
"The only thing we'd like to do different is to tighten up our defence and perhaps get some more dominance in the forwards but against Mid Northern that's easier said than done."
Both teams have a healthy respect for each other's talents with Mid Northern expected to hold a slight advantage in the forwards - particularly in the lineout, which will become a key battleground in the game.
The Sharks lineout has been patchy most of the season but performed well in the semifinal last week. It will be tested in the final by Mid Northern's  Brad Taylor and Busta Douglas.
The Sharks' long-range strike power has helped get them into the final but they will start the final without one of their speedy outside backs.
Mateo Malupo was stood down by the NRU disciplinary committee on Monday night for two weeks for entering the fray during last week's semifinal boilover against Hora Hora from the substitute's bench - meaning he will miss the final.
"He's a big loss for us," Whippy said. "But you probably deserve that if you run on the field during a fight."
He said that apart from Malupo and Northland representatives, the injured Sam Barker and Luke Hamilton, who started for Northland last night in their match against Taranaki, the side was full strength for the match.
After that incident, Mid Northern's coach Craig Edwards said discipline was likely to be a factor in the game.
He said shutting down the speedy Sharks' backs would be one of their biggest tasks.
"We've got to shut them down straight away by getting up in their faces, it's only when you give them space that they're dangerous," he said.
Mid Northern are only missing David Holwell from their regular starting line-up, but have been without the Northland first five-eighths for several weeks and have adapted to his absence.
Edwards reckons it should be a fitting final.
"It's going to be a battle up front, there's no doubt about it but we'll be spinning it wide as well - we'll give it a crack from anywhere, we have to because this is what we've worked hard at all year for and the team that plays the best rugby will win."
The final starts at 3:15pm at Toll Stadium with referee Kyal Collins in charge
Mid Northern: 1 Jason Hammond 2 Paul Scanel 3 Dillion Horne 4 Busta Tahere (c) 5 Brad Taylor 6 Andrew Ritchie 7 Brendon Evans 8 Frankie Roberts 9 Logan Going 10 Josh Barry 11 Kadin Te Nana 12 Brad Miller 13 Brock Mustard 14 AJ Abel 15 Jershon Witehira. Reserves: Nick Lake, Kaaran Going, Jason Evans, Q Cooper, TJ Williams, Clint Going, Scott Wilson.
Western Sharks: 1 Isikeli Siolaa 2 Craig Williamson 3 Gary Whippy (c) 4 Aaron Lambley 5 Peter Bond 6 Solomone Palu 7 Ryan Barker 8 Latu Moala 9 Sonatane Takulua 10 Rhys Hamon 11 Ualosi Kailea 12 Sione Fonua 13 Lani Palu 14 Tony Stokes 15 Hugh Rawiri; Reserves: Scott McDermott, Noa Lutui, Dave Pullman, Mark Russell, Tama Herman, Matthew McCully, Sifa Maafi.