Bulls to approach home Lions clash as season's climax | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

The Canterbury Bulls host their "grand final" when they meet Bartercard Cup leaders Auckland Lions at Rugby League Park on Sunday.

With four rounds to go the third-placed Bulls are unlikely to overhaul the Lions or second-placed Harbour, and face another trip to Auckland if they reach the final again this year.

But they can still nail a home semi and upsetting the Auckland glamour team would be a great result to help send off their final season in the competition.

It will, says coach Brent Stuart, be as good as a final for the Bulls, who have won seven of their last eight matches.

That form hasn't drawn much attention elsewhere, and the Bulls were "flying under the radar," he said which is just the way they want to be with the play-offs looming.

They should also be at full strength, with Lusi Sione back from Samoa and Donny Aitken recovered from a virus that sidelined him last week.

However, Stuart is under no illusions about hard it will be to beat the Lions. Last year they won both the Bartercard Cup and the Fox Memorial, and with new players signed since then do not have any weak areas.

"We've got to turn up with the right attitude and dig in for 80min and keep our mistakes down," he said. "And we have to complete our sets of six every time. We don't want to be playing them in our half of the field."

The Lions could score from anywhere and were dangerous from 1 to 17, he said.

However, his Bulls are peaking at the right time. Wingers Chippie Korostchuk and Lucas Tamakaha have been in super form, Leon Boyd is making a big contribution every week, and front-rowers Alex Timo and Matt Fitzgerald are regularly getting the team off to a strong start.

Sunday will be their biggest test and a pointer as to whether the Bulls, who have made such a monster contribution to the competition, can finish as champions in its last season.