Winning start by Bond in Colts 1

FLOYD Aubrey made a sensational debut for GPS, Brothers Lastus Auakai was almost as good while Easts flexed their muscles in an all-action start to the Colts 1 rugby union competition.

Bond University also started with a bang, inflicting a 22-12 loss on Norths on the Gold Coast.

Lachlan McInnes scored twice for Bond Uni while George Nield, Casey Selwyn and Ethan Roworth also grabbed tries.

Norths did well in patches but were unable to sustain good play for long periods.

“We have a young group trying to rebuild some key habits,’’ Eagles coach Daniel Ritchie said.

“When we had field position and followed our game plan we looked quite dangerous.

“But when we went away from that, we were uninspiring.’’

Best for Norths was flanker Okaw Obonno who Ritchie said was so good “he kept us in the contest’’ at the breakdown.

In blazing heat at University of Queensland, it was Brothers who drew first blood in the 2020 grand final rematch, winning 32-19 after eclipsing Uni 27-7 during a first-half onslaught.

Brothers could barely have been more impressive in the opening half, firstly absorbing Uni’s excellent defensive net, then branching out on the back of ball control and clinical forward play.

Centre Auakai, the 2020 Nudgee College First XV captain, took less than 10 minutes to stamp his authority on the match with a midfield break, followed shortly after by a deft pass that sent No.8 Jonte Connelly careering away to score.

Off the back of aggressive ball winning and lovely service from halfback Louis Werchon, Auakai had options to pass or run or even grubber kick behind the line.

It was another silky pass down the left side by Auakai that started an astounding 50m team try by Brothers which was finished by Flynn Johnson after Brothers had supported in numbers.

Facing a 27-7 halftime deficit, University matched Brothers for try-of-the-match honours with an equally impressive team try over 75m, with the movement gaining momentum after Uni fullback Patrick Elekana had put his winger up the sideline.

Lock Cooper Bridgeman then loomed in support to score and University had scored first in the second half.

Bridgman’s try was the start of a recovery by University which pushed Brothers.

With a weight of possession, a rejuvenated University was positioned into an attacking lineout but an outstanding offence set piece by Brothers turned the ball over.

University trimmed the margin to 27-19 but in the end the better side won.