St Mary’s set for cup battle
LEAGUE: St Mary’s will lean on hard earned experience when the side confronts Coombabah SHS in the Langer Cup playoff to decide who fills position No. 6 in the elite schoolboy rugby league competition.
St Mary’s play Coombabah next Wednesday, July 22, in Toowoomba in the hope of retaining its place in the Brisbane Broncos-sponsored competition.
Last season a young and largely inexperienced St Mary’s battled bravely but were generally outgunned by bigger opponents.
But a large percentage of the 2019 squad will return richer for the experience.
“We have never been one of the bigger sides,’’ coach Matt Jahnke said.
“We rely heavily on our work ethic, our efforts off the ball to compete.
“Having that experience (from last season) has given them an understanding of what they need to do.
“They understand what it takes to be at that level which is good for them.’’
He said three years ago St Mary’s also faced Coombabah SHS in a knockout which Saints won.
“Obviously now we are looking at a rematch and I know they are going to come at us with everything they have got,’’ Jahnke said.
“We have to stay composed, know our jobs and compete to the end.’’
Aiding St Mary’s cause is the presence of four NRL contracted players – Brayden Paix, Shaun Packer, Xavier Va’a and Blake Cesari – all of whom played above their age group last season.
“They will bring some confidence to the team,’’ Jahnke said.
“As leaders of the group, they know what it is like and they have had that 12 month experience.
“They are looking forward to getting back to their age group and showing their worth and trying to prove to people it was not a fluke what they did as under 15s.’’
The Chronicle will cover games via live stream when round one starts on July 29.