Rugby Premiership grand final: Buffaloes seek to change narrative against Pirates

Nile Special Rugby Premiership

Fixtures

Pirates v Buffaloes 4pm Bweyogerere

The Nile Special Rugby Premiership grand final presents the perfect opportunity for Toyota Buffaloes to change the narrative as they prepare to take on defending champions Stanbic Black Pirates on Saturday at Kings Park.

Buffaloes defeated the Makerere Impis en route to the final, while Pirates had to battle hard to overcome Heathens in the semifinal last weekend. This match is a tale of two teams with different aspirations but a common goal: to win it all.

Buffaloes coach Charles Onen commented: “We have put up a good season whereby the boys have been consistent with their performances, and I think it’s amazing that we are at this stage.”

The Buffaloes have been extremely good on the counterattack, but they believe they need to step up their game in the set pieces. Nonetheless, they remain confident and sure they have what it takes to set the right tone.

As defending champions, Pirates don't have a point to prove, but as a team, they want to finish off what has been a tough month by securing the title for the late Sydney Gongodyo. They expect a tough encounter against Buffaloes but will give it their best.

“It’s a good final. It's a proper matchup. Buffaloes have been a consistent side this season. They are very well structured, and they are young boys with a lot of fire within them. We shall take what God gives us. If God gives it to us, we take it; if it’s not our day, we shall take it. We shall prepare as well as we can so that we can win it,” stated Pirates back Timothy Kisiga.

Pirates are expecting a tough match, and so are Buffaloes, but the former have experience navigating finals. They have a number of match-winners in the squad, including Kisiga, captain Isaac Massa, Frank Kidega, Conrad Wanyama, Alex Aturinda, and Nathan Bwambale, among others.

Buffaloes have also relied on a number of key players, including 'Fat' Moses Watmon, Yasin Waswa, Aaron Tukei, and Otim Daniwerl, among others.