By Liam Cook

Brothers’ prop Jaiden Christian has made a profound impact in his first season as a starting premier grade player.

Christian has helped propel Brothers into the top four after eleven rounds of the 2022 season.

The front rower is thriving in his new starting role after spending last season coming off the bench and recovering from injury.

“I broke two bones in my hand which kept me out for half the season but I played the back half coming off the bench,” Christian told Rugby News.

“First game I was probably a bit nervous starting and even playing that whole eighty minutes was probably a first as well. There were a lot of firsts that day but I got used to it pretty quickly.”

Christian has had the opportunity to play alongside his brother Mosiah who joined Brothers this season after a stint with UQ.

“It was real exciting to be able experience that first game especially with my older brother,” he said.

“He’s been a good asset to the team coming from Uni and making the switch.”

The No.3 attributes his stellar form this year to a strong pre-season.

“Last year, my first year in premier grade, I was lucky enough to get picked up by the Rebels program in their development squad.”

“I had a good pre-season down there before coming back to start the season which has been pretty good for my performance.

“I’m in a better place than I was this time last year which has definitely made me feel like I’ve done pretty well in the season so far.”

The powerful prop was not the only fresh face at Crosby Park this season.

Recruits like Ben Hyne, Tayler Adams and Jaiden’s brother have bonded with and added to the existing squad according to Christian.

“We had a quite a few new people come to the team and everybody’s been welcoming them in from the first couple of games.”

“We’ve had a few tough back-to-back games and obviously missing a couple of games early in the season didn’t really help our connection with each other.

“At the start it’s taking us time to gel a bit but we’re all starting to come along now.”

Brothers’ will look to get back on the winner’s list this weekend following a nail-stinging loss to Wests post the eightieth minute.

The Brethren will have to contend with a Souths’ side fresh off the bye in a rescheduled round four contest at Crosby Park this weekend.

“I’d say they will be putting up a pretty strong team,” Christian said.

“They’ve had some close games in the last couple of weeks so they’re not looking too bad.

“Everybody’s up for it and always trying to prove something to everybody so it should be good.”

Despite a more than impressive first starting season, Christian says he has much to improve on in the second phase of the year.

“For me it’s mainly trying to get around the park a bit faster.”

“Obviously the quicker you can get there and do the things you do well the better. You can’t really do those things if you’re not getting to the breakdown as much as you would if you were a bit quicker and fitter.

“The scrum technique and set piece I’m trying to fix up a bit as well.”

The young prop is confident Brothers’ connection as a team will see them through the remainder of what is hopefully a successful season.

“There’s a real tight brotherhood within not only our team but reserve grade as well. Everybody’s got that bond with each other which is a good thing within the club.”

“Everybody’s pretty much coming together now and we’re looking pretty strong with everybody in our team, there’s a lot of depth within club as well.”