TIME TO SHINE
PREMIER RUGBY SEASON PREVIEW
BOND UNIVERSITY
The big improvers of 2018 when jumping from last to fifth. They will try to take the leap to the finals under new captain Harry Nucifora, their creative halfback. Half the playing group are as new as coach Brad Harris so expect some teething pains. You’ll know what the season holds within a month because Brothers-Uni-GPS-Easts is a tough run first-up. Luckily, Dion Taumata is a sharp flyhalf to call on with Mitch Third out after knee surgery. The pack will enjoy fit-again prop Gav Luka. Bond have picked up one of the competition’s big recruits in Zimbabwean Test flanker Connor Pritchard. Australian Schoolboys Spencer Jeans and Tyrell Kapua are outstanding gains from TSS.
IN: Paula Kaho, Connor Pritchard
OUT: Hayden Sargeant
TIP: 7th
EASTS
THE title hopefuls have been rocked by the loss of key flyhalf Jack Frampton with a shattered right forearm on the eve of the season. It’s cruel luck for Frampton who was playing his comeback match, after an ankle injury, in last weekend’s trial loss to Norths.
New coach Moses Rauluni will likely play recruit Eli Pilz at No.10 in Saturday’s tough opener against University at St Lucia.
IN: Jack Hardy, Puketawa Garland, Eli Pilz OUT: Michael Gunn
TIP: 5th
UNIVERSITY OF QLD
University have dominated the decade with four premierships
(2010, 2012,
2014, 2017) yet “Uni: Favourites” is not the tag for this season. The Red Heavies have lost edge in experience and attacking cohesion which puts the onus on master club coach Mick Heenan to weave a new thread of young talent into the side.
The club still has a finals look with strong pack performers like Pat Morrey and 2018 star Sam Wallis but losing prop Campbell Wakeley is a blow for the front-row. Classy Queensland Schoolboys forward Tom Van Der Schyff (The Southport School), once he beats a tricky foot injury, is an asset for the Colts.
IN: Ben Paxton-Hall
OUT: Campbell Wakeley, Con Foley, Scott Gale
TIP: 3rd
BROTHERS
The Brethren may have celebrated the Doughty Shield as Brisbane’s champion club for the first time since 1996 with four premierships but there was a conspicuous hole in 2018. The club’s flagship Premier Rugby team finished a limp seventh with just five wins just two years after winning the premiership.
A shake-up under new coach Rod Seib and fresh flyhalf Rohan Saifoloi is under way. The switch of Tiger-for-life Aidan Toua to fullback at Brothers was one of the offseason’s big moves. At full strength, the back-row of Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson and Alex Perez, a recruit from Southern Districts in Sydney, will be dynamic.
IN: Aidan Toua, Alex Perez OUT: Luke Beauchamp TIP: 2nd
NORTHS
Prop Tonga
Ma’afu, the club’s 2017 Barker Medal winner, is back for new coach Luke Oxford after the knee surgery that ruined last year. Top No.8 Reece Hewat is a major loss to the French second division which means hooker Cody Blackhurst will step up as captain against Wests on Saturday. Oxford wants to back speed and attack out wide but there’s a long list of new Norths coaches who have tried that and conceded 40 points a game. Reds squad flyhalf Matt McGahan will be a fine recruit. IN: Matt McGahan
OUT: Nick Jooste
TIP: 9th
WESTS
Brisbane
Boys’ College graduate
Carter
Gordon is stepping straight in at flyhalf for Saturday’s opener against Norths. “He doesn’t play like a kid straight out of school but like a flyhalf who has played grades before and he’s clearly benefited from training in the Reds squad,” Wests coach Pat Byron said. The retirement of centre Brett Gillespie and fullback Byron Hutchinson means the Bulldogs’ backline needs clear direction.
IN: Carter Gordon
OUT: Dillon Wihongi, Brett Gillespie, Byron Hutchinson
TIP: 6th
SOUTHS
Coach Elia Tuqiri is certain Quade Cooper’s legacy will live on. “Quade educated the guys on a brand of rugby, the confidence to keep the ball moving and he’s left a very good legacy,” Tuqiri said. The Magpies have picked up a top recruit for No.10 with Jake Strachan, who will face the heat from his old Sunnybank clubmates at Oldmac Oval on Saturday. Losing hooker Alex Casey (broken leg) is a blow but the return of 2015 premiership halfback Scott Malolua is a perfect replacement for the retired Richard Kingi.
IN: Scott Malolua, Sean Farrell
OUT: Quade Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Richard Kingi, Jack Farrell
TIP: 4th
SUNNYBANK
Coach Damon
Virtue has a major rebuild on his hands with player losses and lifting confidence after the unexpected dive to last in 2018. New flyhalf Tom Lucas will skipper the side but will not see much of kid brother Issac until late June so well has he taken the leap with the Reds. Former Wests backrower Dillon Wihongi is a good pick-up.
IN: Tom Lucas, Dillon Wihongi, Hayden Sargeant
OUT: Josh Fenner, Jake Strachan,
TIP: 8th
GPS
ANY ambition for back-toback titles hinges on keeping influential pack leader Mitch King fit for 16 rounds. He was a huge factor in Jeeps winning their first premiership in 22 years and last weekend’s encore, the Australian Club Championship. Openside flanker Matt Gicquel is all class and GPS have picked up a good one at flyhalf in South African goalkicking whiz DP de Lange. The club will miss the poise of outside back Jaye Thompson.
IN: DP de Lange, Ryan Freney
OUT: Jaye Thompson, Albert Nikoro, Davis Tavita.
TIP: 1st