Bond cops hiding from super side

A “RED hot” Souths outfit have confirmed their status as premiership favourites by putting Bond University to the sword in a 17-try attack-fest.

The Bullsharks were out of the contest by halftime, trailing 43-12 but dug in to bring some sense of respectability to the 63-36 scoreline at Chipsy Wood Oval on Saturday.

Only one match has involved more points in total as far as Queensland Premier Rugby’s online records go back – to the start of 2015 – when University of Queensland trounced the Magpies 87-19 last year.

Souths lost superstar captain Quade Cooper to a hamstring injury the previous weekend but that did nothing to stop the unbeaten side.

“The final score sort of flattered us more than anything but the boys kept on having a crack right until the end,” Bond director of rugby Sean Hedger said.

“They (Souths) are a bit of an all or nothing side. Conversely last year when we played them in the second-last round we put 40 on them.

“They have just got some unbelievable recruitment this year.

“They had five full-time professional players out there against us. They were just too big and fast out wide.”

Reds hooker Alex Mafi scored two tries for Bond while back-rower Zach Moimoi made his return from injury to provide another ball-running option.

Hedger said the team’s belief remained intact despite a 1-5 start to the season.