Tuggeranong Vikings charge into John I Dent finals in ominous form

Having already secured their sixth consecutive minor premiership heading into this weekend's final round, Tuggeranong displayed the ominous form they will take into the finals.

The Vikings were boosted by Brumbies star Christian Lealiifano suiting up at fullback and occasional Brumbies scrum-half Joe Powell, who crossed for one of the team's eight tries.

"It's just a blessing," Vikings coach Brad Harris said, of having Lealiifano in the side. "We're so lucky to have him back."

Both teams started the match strongly despite the muddy conditions.

Within the first few minutes Lealiifano picked out right winger Jerome Nuimata for the first of his three tries.

Two tries to Gungahlin seemed to ignite Tuggeranong who brought a new intensity in defence, leaving the Eagles struggling to make it past half-way.

"We put a big focus on defence each week," Harris said.

"Focus on tackle completion and energy to reload off the ground and really present a solid defensive effort."

Gungahlin struggled in the second half to make headway against the Tuggeranong defence and after suffering some injuries their cause was not helped.

The Eagles' Fijian under-20s captain Vatiliai Tuidraki landed awkwardly in a tackle early in the half and was unable to return to the field.

And Rutikha Ilolahia, who had crossed for a try earlier in the match, had to be stretchered off the field with a suspected broken ankle.

"Having to make some replacements in the second half left the team a little bit disjointed at times," Gungahlin coach Dan Atkins said.

Tuggeranong will face Queanbeyan in the semi-finals next weekend, while Gungahlin will be left to focus on returning strongly in 2016.

AT A GLANCE

TUGGERANONG (Jerome Nuimata 3, Sione Taulua, Michael Henry, Michael Oakman Hunt, Joe Powell, Jake Knight; Christian Lealiifano 2 con) bt GUNGAHLIN (Jamie Kotz 2, Rutikha Ilolahia; Luke Duffey 2 con). QUEANBEYAN 24 bt UNI-NORTHS 0; ROYALS 27 bt EASTS 19