UPDATE TUESDAY:
BEN Volavola who piloted Southern Districts first grade rugby union team into the 2014 Shute Shield grand final this Saturday with his radar-like kicking believed he could kick the match-winner.
Southern Districts defeated premiers Sydney Uni, 27-25, in Sunday's elimination final over Sydney Uni, at Sydney Uni, with Volavola's penalty kick, a boomer from 40 metres out, just a handful of metres from the sideline, after the bell had sounded.
"I was always confident I could kick the goal, even though only once before I had kicked one from so far out," Volavola said.
"I put my hand up when we got the penalty and thought I could kick it. The wind was swirling around but I hit the ball well."
Volavola, 23, of Narwee, spent three years playing rugby union in years 9-11 at Endeavour Sports High School.
The Rebels will now chase their maiden premiership against Eastwood at 3.10pm this Saturday at Concord Oval.
Volavola kicked five penalties and one conversion in Sunday's win. He did miss three goals on the day but Volavola said he never lost his mental edge.
The previous week the five-eighth and NSW Waratahs squad member, kicked the penalty goal which saw them defeat Eastwood, 38-36, in the qualifying final.
Volavola said he was tutored by former New Zealand All Blacks star goalkicker, Andrew Mehrtens.
Volavola said Mehrtens, who lives in Sydney, and works with the goalkickers at Southern Districts, had been educational.
"Andrew has taught me many important things about goalkicking," Volavola said.
"The two most important things he's taught me are to take smaller steps when you approach the ball and to keep your head down, and don't lift your head," Volavola said.
Volavola said NSW Waratahs goalkicker Bernard Foley, who kicked the historic Super 15 final penalty goal against Canterbury Crusaders, to win the match, 33-32, also had been a good teacher. "I practise goalkicking with Bernard at training," Volavola said.
MONDAY STORY:
Southern Districts first grade rugby union team has ended Sydney Uni’s dominance of the Shute Shield with a stirring 27-25 win over them on Sunday at Sydney University No.1 Oval.
A 40-metre penalty goal from Rebels five-eighth Ben Volavola after the siren had sounded won the match.
The Rebels now meet Eastwood in the grand final at 3pm this Saturday at Concord Oval.
Sydney Uni were shooting for a 10th consecutive grand final.
Eastwood defeated Manly 25-22 on Saturday to reach the premiership decider.
Southern Districts general manager Craig Hawkins said the club would have supporters’ buses leaving their club this Saturday; times to be advised.
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