Bears, Uni in early test
Round-four match-up to throw light on early form
RUGBY UNION: Toowoomba Bears will have their rebuilding phase put to its next test when they host traditional rivals USQ in a round-four Wagners Risdon Cup clash at Heritage Oval today.
The youthful Bears have recorded early season wins over UQ Gatton and Highfields while USQ is coming off a round-three bye after its opening season win over Roma.
Bears’ co-coach Bryan Battersby is expecting a fast, open match today against the Gary Briscoe-coached Saints in what shapes as an early-season test of both team’s progress.
“We have a very young team — even younger than last year with five 18-year-olds straight from school in the side,” Battersby said.
“The Dalby match in round one was a culture shock for us, but everyone seems to be getting along and we’re standing up so far.
“Declan Wheeler and Nick Hewitt are our co-captains this year and help provide the limited experience we have.
“If we can get our full squad together through the season, I think we might push a few teams.
“We didn’t train well this week which doesn’t overly concern me.
“Some times you can train poorly and then produce on
game day, but Declan hasn’t been well this week and it’s touch and go whether he’ll be playing.
“But we’re looking forward to the match and it could come to the bounce of the ball.
“We always have a good game against Uni.
“They are always fairly well coached and are quick around the park.
“I think they’ll try to run us around tomorrow (Saturday).
“But they have skills we don’t and we have skills they don’t.
“It will be an interesting game and I hope we’re up to it.
“A lot will depend on how our young blokes handle it.”
In other matches Toowoomba Rangers host Condamine in an early competition battle for a top-three ladder spot while UQ Gatton is at home to Goondiwindi and defending premiers and ladder leaders Dalby travel to Roma.