THE BREAK DOWN

CAIRNS Brothers Rugby Union Club did what many considered to be unthinkable just a few months ago when it completed the season.

It’s been no secret Brothers have struggled this year.

Player numbers were an issue before coronavirus shut down sport for three months, and when it returned the club vowed to play on.

It made it through all 10 weeks of the season while battling poor player numbers, serious injuries and general unavailability, and jagged two impressive wins. More importantly, for FNQ Rugby, the club didn’t forfeit a game.

The club has received praise from all quarters for the way it has conducted itself and FNQ Rugby president John Pirie said the league couldn’t have been completed without its dedication.

The men and women who lined up for Brothers will be a closer unit than ever, and it may place them in good stead for next season.

While it’s all over for the men’s A-grade side, Brothers’ women’s team will play a semi-final on Saturday.

FNQ Rugby has launched a 10s tournament in the hope of turning Cairns into a 15-man code hot spot.

The FNQ Rugby 10s is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, and is open to any club in Queensland.

Brisbane Premier Rugby clubs Brothers and Souths have indicated they will participate. And while numbers will be strictly limited, Pirie is open to teams travelling from anywhere.

RUGBY welcomed men and women more regularly seen on rugby league fields during this coronavirusaffected season, but that opened the door to a few questions ahead of the finals.

Player eligibility is always a sticking point — they must play a minimum number of games to qualify for finals — and a few question marks over some Northern Pride players sent officials scrambling for old line-ups from the unofficial Lightning Challenge.