Surfers buoyed by new arrivals
THE cavalry is back, and just in the nick of time.
Surfers Paradise have welcomed an influx of familiar faces as they prepare for a showdown with Nerang that should make the Gold Coast District Rugby Union landscape a bit clearer.
Thus far, Griffith University Colleges and Helensvale have put themselves forward as the two frontrunning squads, backing that up by playing out a thriller last weekend.
Surfers sit third on the ladder with three wins from four games but it is Nerang who have arguably posted more convincing results.
Surfers coach Darren Uys was pleased to report that three members of their 2018 side – brothers Dalin and Diaz Sharrock plus flanker Dean Reiri – have rejoined in the past week. Diaz won’t make his playing return until next weekend but Dalin and Reiri will both take on the Bulls.
“I think they could see a few shifts within the team and a few more of the older guys are starting to come back,” Uys said. “I think there was some issues last year and they feel comfortable that those issues have been laid to bed and now are putting their hand up to come back in, which is great.”
Highly rated No.8 Aisake Folaumoetu is also expected to make his club debut, having moved across from New Zealand.
“He’s going to be someone to watch this season, I can guarantee you,” Uys said.
All three of the Dolphins’ wins thus far have come by margins of 10 or less points and it’s likely to be another close affair today at Glennon Park.
“They are not in the same fashion that they were last year but a win is a win,” Uys said.
“We have been recruiting and trying desperately to get some quality in and we have had a good buy-in from a bunch of good players, so it’s a very different team to what has played in the first four weeks.”
Uys noted he knows little about Nerang other than to expect a big, competitive opposition.
“Our pack over the last week has grown quite a lot so we will certainly be matching them with a few big boys,” he said.
Gold Coast Eagles will host Colleges while Helensvale face Bond Pirates at Pizzey Park.