Emus ‘are definitely better’

Beaten player, coach gives all-conquering Goondiwindi top Risdon Cup rating

RUGBY UNION: Tom Crockett knew he had come up against a hot side when his talented Toowoomba Rangers team was towelled up 56-27 by USQ in the 2011 Risdon Cup grand final.

But he reckons he witnessed a better side last Saturday after Rangers were again forced to play second fiddle in a grand final, this time to the all-conquering Goondiwindi Emus.

Crockett joined Rangers in 2007 after his English playing days which included a pro rugby stint in his home town Bath.

In 2011 he played halfback in a Rangers’ team chock full of talent with a line-up containing the likes of Eoin Carey, Andrew Turner and Joe Adams.

But Rangers proved no match in the grand final against a Uni team boasting its own star roster including Shaun Qualischefski, Mitch Logan, James Obst and rugby league convert Ned Murphy.

Last Saturday Crockett saw his gallant Rangers become the latest victim of a Goondiwindi outfit which is now unbeaten in two successive Risdon Cup seasons.

“I think this Goondiwindi side is definitely better than Uni were in 2011,” said Crockett when asked about a comparison of the teams.

“Uni had a very good backline that year, but Goondiwindi is strong right across the park and their forwards are superior to the 2011 Uni pack.”

Crockett said a mixture of commitment, fitness, hard work, depth of quality players and hunger had allowed the Emus to lift the Risdon Cup bar in recent seasons.

“They have some exceptionally good players and they do the basics well,” Crockett said.

“They play a simple game plan.

“At the breakdown they are ruthless and from there they have the quality to hurt you.

“They also work very hard behind the scenes, probably starting their season preparations early and doing a lot of fitness work.

“From what I can make out they have great player depth and commitment and what seems an endless supply of quality to work with.

“They certainly deserve to be where they are at the moment.

“We tried hard to match them on Saturday but they were simply too strong.

“Rugby goes in cycles and they are at the top of theirs now.”

Crockett also paid tribute to veteran Rangers’ forward Marcus Filipetto who retired after Saturday’s grand final.

“Marcus excelled on the football field for Rangers,” Crockett said.

“He played over 500 games with great passion.

“He’s also an all-round good bloke who deserves to hang up his boots and look back on a great career.”