At the halfway mark of the 2025 Hospital Cup season, Brothers captain Will Wilson says his side is starting to carve out a clear identity – one built on resilience, adaptability, and an ability to win the ugly ones.

Saturday’s 24-17 away win over Souths was a case in point. Played in torrential rain, on a churned-up Brisbane pitch and with late changes to the line-up, Brothers dug deep to claim another vital victory and stay second on the ladder, hot on the heels of front-runners Easts. 

“Our big thing this year has been just finding ways to win,” Wilson told Rugby News.

“There’ve been a lot of scrappy games, especially with the weather, where things haven’t gone our way. But we’ve been able to stick at it and come out on top.”

The latest win came without gun starting fly-half Jude Gibbs, who pulled out on game day. Charlie Johnstone, promoted from colts, stepped in and steered the ship admirably.

“Charlie’s been the Colts 10 all year and got the call-up late. He really stepped up and played well,” Brothers’ skipper said.

Brothers, like much of the competition, have been forced to adjust to an unusually wet season. Of their eight matches so far, Wilson said all but one have been played in rain or heavy mud – a stark contrast to Brisbane’s traditionally dry winter rugby conditions.

“Normally you might get one wet-weather game all season, but this has changed the competition completely,” he said.

“Obviously we prefer playing expansive footy on dry tracks, but we’ve worked hard to be able to adapt. We’ve managed to win most of these tight, wet-weather slog-style games which is good.”

After a narrow loss to Easts in round seven, Brothers have bounced back strongly with wins over UQ and now Souths. With a bye this weekend, Wilson said the timing is perfect for the group to rest and reset for a big second half of the season.

“We’re in a good spot, momentum is building, and the bye gives us a chance to freshen up,” he said. 

Souths’ loss leaves them in a fierce battle for fourth-place, with seven points separating fourth and ninth, with Souths currently nestled in the pack in fifth. 

Wilson praised the physically of his opponents, who he thought were a good chance to make finals. 

“They’ve got a massive forward pack and a really solid set piece,” he said.

“Big ball carriers all over the park and a huge backline. I think they’ll win a fair few games in the back end of the season.”

Around the Grounds

Elsewhere in the competition, this week’s upset came in the Gold Coast, where Bond, who have been in red-hot form recently, were upset by Norths, 21-17. Meanwhile, in the battle of the cellar-dwellers, Sunnybank pipped UQ away from home, 29-28, condemning UQ to last-spot on the ladder – for now. 

The final result on the weekend saw Easts win its eighth straight game – this week against GPS at home 30-17 – as Simon Craig’s side remains unbeaten. 

Despite Easts rampant start, Wilson seemed unfazed. As teams prepare for the second half of the campaign – and the looming return of Super Rugby players – he said Brothers are in a strong position.

“It always shifts a bit in those last few weeks when the Reds guys come back, so it’s important to have built some wins and momentum early,” he said.

Wests had the bye.