EXTEND A PERFECT START
JCU Mariners are counting the cost of the Thunder’s success, but the FNQ Rugby powerhouse has taken the loss of two key players in their stride as they shoot for five straight wins.
Captain Kai Lowah and forward Jesse Kautu will both miss Saturday's clash with Brothers with injuries sustained while playing in the representative clash at Barlow Park last week.
JCU player-coach Nick Moller, who also played for Thunder, said the loss of the duo was unfortunate but they wouldn’t use it as an excuse.
“They’re big shoes to fill but we have a next man up mentality,” Moller said. “We’re confident the guys who come in will do a good job.”
Lowah, Kautu, Moller, winger Dudley-Thomas Miles, scrumhalf Tom Christie, and forward Liam Duncan earned selection in the North Queensland team for the Queensland Country Championships.
For now, Moller, who returns to JCU’s starting lineup, is focused on maintaining his club’s winning start to the season. The Mariners are six points clear of second-placed Barron Trinity and Brothers, who they face in the first of a FNQ Rugby A-grade double header at Jones Park on Saturday.
Moller expects Brothers to be strong, but has confidence in his side that they can get the job done, keep the perfect record intact and even extend their lead atop the ladder.
“It’s been good but tough,” he said of the campaign to date. “We’ve had an ever-changing lineup because of work, injuries, fly-in fly-out players, and the rest.
“It’s tough sometimes but we’ve had a good year so far.
“We had a good preseason where we changed things up. We changed how we play, a new structure and style, and it’s been good.”
Wanderers face Penrhyn Sharks at Jones Park from 5.45pm.