Coombabah eyes return to the top
COOMBABAH State High School will play the biggest sporting match in their recent history when they take on Toowoomba powerhouse St Mary’s for a place in the 2020 Langer Cup on Wednesday.
The northern Gold Coast school were a fixture in southeast Queensland’s most elite schoolboy rugby league competition up until two years ago, when they were knocked out.
For two seasons straight they have tried and failed to reclaim their place.
On Wednesday afternoon they’ll hope their third time is the charm.
The stakes are high because a win will qualify more than just the school’s senior team for a place in the top competition. The fate of their junior teams hangs on Wednesday’s result as well.
“In the last few years we’ve had quality boys and quality teams, but (playing in a competition that) is a little bit of a lower standard doesn’t enable our players to reach their potential,” coach Rod Pryor said.
“You want to be in the best games to give players the best exposure because they’re playing for potential contracts.
“It’s important to be on the big dance floor to show your talent against those who have that quality.”
Coombabah’s position in the lower-ranked Titans School Boys Competitions has contributed to several top talents leaving the school for bigger programs on the Gold Coast or private school rugby union in Brisbane.
A win over St Mary’s, the alma mater of future Immortal Johnathan Thurston, could help stem the tide of players looking elsewhere for opportunities to play in the Langer Cup.
Coombabah will enter the match as staunch underdogs but have the talent to spring a momentous upset.
Halves pairing Harradyn Wilson and Brodyn Gudgeon are a play-making duo with talent that belongs in the Cup.
“Their ball-playing gives us attacking flair,” Pryor said.
“If we get to key points in the game it’s due to their direction. They have a big job on their hands but they’ve been great in training and we’re confident in their ability.
“If we can control the ball we have the ability to score some points.”
A forwards nucleus of returning Queensland under-15s prop Joseph Shannon and edge forwards Zach Johnson and Jordan Lewis can be electric on their day.
YOU WANT TO BE IN THE BEST GAMES TO GIVE PLAYERS THE BEST EXPOSURE BECAUSE THEY’RE PLAYING FOR POTENTIAL CONTRACTS
COACH ROD PRYOR
MATCH LIVESTREAMED AT GOLDCOASTBULLETIN.COM.AU