117

points scored by Colleges – including seven tries to Blake Griffin – in their scarcely believable win over Bond Pirates in rugby union

HELENSVALE coach Tonga Lea’aetoa has gone to the extraordinary length of offering to work with rival clubs in a bid to strengthen the Gold Coast District Rugby Union.

It comes as Griffith University Colleges put Bond Pirates to the sword 117-15 on Saturday. The Pirates were playing semi-final footy last August but now are desperate for numbers and those struggles were sadly exposed. Knights coach Graham Herlihy even offered the mercy rule but was rejected, with the Pirates determined to battle on.

Lea’aetoa described a 102point margin as “concerning” and called on the rugby community to come up with solutions to facilitate a more level playing field.

The former Tongan Test prop has already put his money where his mouth is, having moved in the off-season from defending premiers Surfers Paradise to help Helensvale push for a breakthrough title.

“Those sorts of scorelines, I don’t think that is doing rugby on the Coast any good,” he said.

“As a rugby community, we have got to sit back and do a whole analysis of where we are missing. Whether it is our development, our grassroots, I just can’t put my finger on it but we all need to work as a community to better the competition.

“I have offered to help some of those clubs (that are battling). I am open to helping them if they want help with their scrum or something, I am happy to go along.”

Lea’aetoa’s Hogs have put their trust in a youth policy that they hope will translate into long-term success.

They fielded four 19-yearolds in their 27-13 win over Gold Coast Eagles on Saturday.

“We pretty much defended for 70 per cent of that game, maybe even 80 per cent … but the good thing is we found a way to win,” Lea’aetoa said.

“The Finigan brothers, all three played pretty well. Our unsung hero is probably Whitney Ueta-Siteine.

“He played a bit of third grade last year. He has really worked hard this year and this is what rugby should be about, is bringing those people through the system.”

Coolangatta Tweed scraped past Palm Beach Currumbin in a 29-27 nailbiter. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Bulletin’s Facebook Sports Forum