By Liam Cook

UQ assistant coach Elton Berrange says his men will need to step up to the plate when they face the second placed Bond at St Lucia on Saturday.

“First six weeks have probably been a six out of ten,” Berrange told Rugby News.

“We had a tough pre-season with not a lot of time on field. I think the way we have played is probably reflective of that because we felt a bit clunky.

“Some of the finesse pieces of our attack and detail in defence hasn’t been spot on just yet.”

The heavyweight clash will be UQ’s chance to secure their second consecutive victory following their only loss of the season to Brother’s in round 5.

Berrange says his side will need to lift their effort indicators if they want to compete with a strong Bond outfit.

“We’re a team that’s really focused on our effort off the ball and so we’ve got a pretty high standard around that. We haven’t been brilliant with it, but we are improving.”

“Execution and effort don’t always happen, and we want to be a team you can trust.”

The Bull Shark’s have accumulated the same win-loss record as UQ through the opening six rounds.

Their expansive set piece poses a major threat to UQ’s defence, according to Berrange.

“Bond over the last few years have had some of the most exciting backs in the competition so if you don’t stop their momentum you could be in trouble.”

“Sargeant and Lancaster are quite happy to play just behind in a pod with a trigger ball out the back, so they’ll look to get some width that way.

“The big focus will be making sure that post tackle we’re getting straight to our feet and always presenting fifteen guys on our feet to cover the field well.”

Multiple individuals from the Bond line-up loom as key weapons that UQ will have to negate, Berrange said.

“Jake Upfield has been one of the best forwards in the comp this season.”

“Dan Boardman is Mr consistent, an outstanding player and good captain.

“They’re back three is really exceptional. Jayden Ngamanu, Joey Fittock and Max Dowd, those guys have been very very good.”

Despite their nearly unblemished record to this point of the season, UQ’s assistant coach says the team’s hunger has at times been questionable.

The reigning premiers were particularly disheartened by their effort against Brothers two weeks ago.

“There were some very tough and honest conversations after that performance. We were very direct,” Berrange said.

“They’re a pretty self-aware group they were disappointed in themselves.

“Everything that takes no talent you’ve got to better than the opposition at and we weren’t against Brothers. The hungrier dog won on the day.”

UQ’s comprehensive win over Easts last week saw multiple individuals play their best rugby for the season.

Berrange said a number of these players had already been leading the way in 2022.

“This is a big year for Kye Oates, even though he is the reigning Hospital Cup player of the season. He breaks tackles almost at will and is in pretty electric and exceptional form for us.”

“Pat Morrey our skipper, he’s a guy that personifies the no-talent quiet stuff and just gets it done.

“Another player who could have a monster season is TJ Siakasini, he’s the fittest I’ve seen him be. He caused a fair bit of trouble for Easts on the weekend, and I imagine he’s going to do that all season. He’s actually got a few more strings to his bow than just direct play. He’s also got decent speed and a great passing game.”

The Students have addressed their quest for back-to-back titles in September.

For now though, they aren’t looking too far ahead.

“We’ve been in this situation a few times and Mick and I haven’t got the perfect recipe just yet.”

“We make sure we do talk about it though because no one has done it for a while and it’s difficult to do.

“It’s just business for us. We just want to get it done without too much emotion involved.”