Knights’ new armour
Slick backline recruits fortify Griffith University’s title bid
THE Griffith University Knights will enter the 2020 Gold Coast District Rugby Union competition as nearunbackable favourites after importing an all-new backline.
The 2019 finalists will return even stronger with six new faces in the backline, most with experience in Queensland’s Premier Rugby competition.
On paper they are the strongest backline in the competition.
Duelling for the flyhalf jersey will be Tony Bartley, a veteran of the Souths Magpies club in Brisbane, and exBond Pirates pivot Cayden Matehaere, a former Melbourne Rebels member.
Queensland Rugby Sevens star Larry Hermens has joined the club from Sunnybank, and will look to form a deadly centre combination with Austin Campion, the son of former State of Origin enforcer Kevin Campion.
Rounding out the new recruits are two X-factors looking to make a name for themselves in Gold Coast Rugby.
Argentinian scrumhalf
Nacho Foyater will start at the scrumbase, while Caleb Barker has come from nowhere to lock down a wing position.
So where will the 2019 grand final backline play?
According to coach Johnny Ngauamo, it looks like they will have to earn their places back via the bench.
“I’m yet to get a team (for this weekend) out to the boys but whatever we do we’re going to have strong firsts and seconds,” Ngauamo said. “We’ve probably got a lot more choice in terms of depth this year than last year.
“Last year guys were getting tired because they had to play every game. We have a lot more depth this year.
“That said, we’re yet to see them all play together.
“It’s all good on paper but we’ve got to see them on the field.”
The Knights closer resemble the Star Wars Death
Star than a local rugby team but the challenge they face will be in melding together their arsenal of stars into a cohesive unit.
They will lack nothing for motivation with a round-one grand final rematch swiftly approaching.
The Knights were stunned in 2019’s decider against plucky underdogs Helensvale but coach Ngauamo said that the team’s focus was purely internal.
“There’s no real need for (extra) motivation,” he said.
“Guys know what happened last year but we’re not focused on that.
“Our focus is on us and improving on last year.”
Ex-Wallaby tourist Richie Kingi has committed to playing on in 2020 despite contemplating retirement earlier this year.
The former scrumhalf has been credited for the star recruitment haul at the club.