COMPLETE EFFORT IS COUNTRY’S AMBITION
HAMISH Stewart has challenged his Queensland Country teammates to start putting together 80-minute performances if they want to be serious National Rugby Championship contenders.
Country hung on for a fourth straight win on Saturday after nearly squandering a 31-0 lead against NSW Country Eagles at Bond University.
In the end it was only James Tuttle’s 69th minute penalty goal that saved face, allowing the home side to sneak through in a 34-31 scoreline.
The result was not enough to maintain first place on the NRC ladder, however, with Canberra and Fiji jumping ahead.
Stewart hailed the side’s first 40 minutes as “brilliant” but was disappointed by their scrappy second half.
“I think just a lack of discipline let the other team in in the second half and that was probably our worst enemy,” said Stewart, a flyhalf whose Queensland Premier Rugby club is Bond.
“One of the big things that we learnt from this game, I think we need to play a full 80 to win a game.
“They truly pushed us to the last minute … they scored in the 80th minute so we just have to keep our discipline and hopefully we can play a full 80 next week.”
Patrick James, Angus ScottYoung, Filipo Daugunu, Eto Nabuli and Izaia Perese all crossed for Country.