By Adam Sheldon

Brothers head coach Ben McCormack said he was pleased his side was finding ways to win early in the season after coming from behind to beat GPS 43–33 on the weekend, silencing the hosts’ notorious “glue factory”.

Trailing by seven points at the break to a new-look GPS side playing its first match under Wallabies legend Matt Cockbain, McCormack said his side “threw the game plan in the bin” in the first half, forcing plays inside the 22 when patience was required.

“I was pretty dirty at halftime,” McCormack told Rugby News. “We didn’t do anything we said we were going to do.”

While a GPS try briefly extended the hosts’ lead to 14 points, Brothers responded with back-to-back tries to Dominic Fraser and Jack Harley to level the scores.

The visitors then took control, with Henry Smith crossing in the 63rd minute before outside centre and rugby league convert David Fusitu’a sealed the result with Brothers’ final try.

“We went back to what we said we were going to do, we applied pressure, sustained it and started to see some cracks,” McCormack said. “Once we saw those cracks, we capitalised.”

With the side also pushed in their round one win over Souths, McCormack admitted performances had been “far from polished” but said it was encouraging his side was building winning habits.

“Winning’s a habit. It’s always good to stay in it despite what happens in a game,” he said. “Good sides just figure out a way to win, even if it’s ugly. That’s really pleasing.”

On GPS, McCormack said the side “looked really good” under Cockbain, praising the influence of Bryce Hegarty at flyhalf and Sam Johnson at inside centre, and said winning at a traditional rival was significant.

He also noted the return of the “glue factory” atmosphere –  the corner of the ground occupied by GPS’ old boys.

“It went a bit mild for a few years, but it’s back in fine form,” he said.“They’ve got all the old boys down there in the corner, and they let you know about it.”

Asked to name his player of the match, McCormack singled out 21-year-old flyhalf Finn Prass.

A Brothers junior who debuted in first grade at 18 before stints with the Western Force, Prass has returned to the club in strong form.

“He kicked really well, he carried, he scored a good try, he saved a good try – he had a very strong game,” McCormack said.

“He’s a cracking talent. Amazing skills. We probably won’t have him for long, so we want to make the most of it.”

Around the Grounds

Elsewhere, Norths produced the upset of the round, edging Wests 36–34 away to hand Elwee Prinsloo’s side back-to-back losses.

The defection of Wests stalwart Phil Mooney to Norths as director of rugby shaped much of the build-up, with several players also making the switch.

“That was an upset for sure,” McCormack said.

“I imagine there would have been a fair bit of emotion around that game with Phil Mooney going to Norths, as well as their recruitment.

“Good on Norths. They took some big scalps last year as well, and it was Wests on the weekend. It’s good for the competition.”

Elsewhere, Easts remained unbeaten with a 35–29 win over UQ, while Bond made it two from two with a 24–7 victory over Souths.

On Easts, McCormack said: “Easts play a simple but polished brand of footy, which is super effective at this time of year. They were the same last season – very dominant early – and with a strong set piece and kicking game, they’ll be very hard to beat in the front end of the year.”

Sunnybank had the bye.