Toowoomba Grammar started the 2024 GPS first XV season as one of the competition favourites on the back of strong trial form and an undefeated tour of New Zealand. 

But things haven’t quite gone to plan for Scott Gale’s country boys, who have been beaten by Brisbane State High, Ipswich Grammar and TSS in recent weeks. 

“We’re not where we want to be at the moment, that’s for sure,” Gale told Rugby News. 

“The boys have been training really well but they just haven’t been able to pull it together under pressure on a Saturday so far this season. 

“They are doing all the right things and showing lots of good signs during the week though, so we’re hoping that we’ll be able to flick the switch and perform well this Saturday.”

Now in his third year coaching in the GPS competition, Gale, who played five matches for the Queensland Reds at scrumhalf and is a Nudgee Old Boy, said he’s learnt not to read too much into trial form. 

“In 2022 we had pretty poor trial form and went on to have a really good season and it wasn’t too dissimilar last year,” the coach said. 

“The boys are really disappointed but we’ve learnt some really good lessons over the last few weeks and we’ve had plenty of youth out there on the field. 

“The lessons that the boys have learnt are really valuable and I think they’ll hold us in good stead for the rest of this season and for them in the years ahead while they are at school and after they finish.”

Toowoomba host Churchie in an important clash for both sides in round four this weekend. 

Churchie opened the season with a strong win over Brisbane Grammar and gave Nudgee a scare last weekend in a 19-15 loss. 

Both sides need to win on Saturday to remain within striking distance of the top end of the GPS ladder. 

“Churchie are a hard side at the breakdown and we’ve focussed a lot of our time this week on that,” Gale said. 

“It’s traditionally an area of the game that Toowoomba sides have been strong in and that’s continued this year. 

“If we can create some turnovers at the breakdown and create some opportunities, then hopefully this week we can pull the trigger and make the most of the chances we get.”

Nudgee and Brisbane State High are the only undefeated teams remaining after the opening three rounds and Gale acknowledged that there was very little separating a lot of teams this season. 

He’s hopeful Toowoomba can go on a run in the weeks ahead and put some pressure on the teams above them on the ladder at the backend of this year’s 10-round season.

“It’s been really cool to watch the competition grow over the last few seasons,” he said. 

“Anyone can beat anyone this year so we’re still really hopeful that we can fight our way back into the mix.

“But we’re not going to waste time focussing on results from other games, we’ve just got to control our performances starting hopefully with a win this weekend against Churchie.”

In the other round four GPS matches, State High host an in form Ipswich outfit, Nudgee take on Brisbane Grammar and BBC face TSS.