By Tom Primmer

A clinical University of Queensland outfit claimed their third Hospital Challenge Cup title in the past five years over the weekend, defeating GPS 29-12 at Suncorp Stadium. 

The Students dropped just one game in their entire 2021 campaign, all the while averaging a competition high 42-points per game. 

The side saved arguably their best game for last, denying the Gallopers pack of any opportunity to get on the front foot, with two late tries eventually flattering Jeeps on the final scorecard. 

Here’s five reasons why this UQ side was so dominant. 

1. Connection

In the minutes following his third Grand Final win, UQ skipper Pat Morrey said that he has never been tighter to a group of men in his life than he is to this current crop of Heavies.

Led by the Oates brothers – Kye and BJ – the squad shared their personal stories on a weekly basis to connect their personal lives and cultures.

It reaped rewards, as the entire squad stayed together on and off the field in the face of COVID lockdowns and competition shutdowns.

Their tight-knit bond showed on the field, with nothing phasing the Heavies on their way to another premiership. 

2. Leadership 

By the end of the afternoon, three Hospital Cup winning captains were in Uni jerseys at Suncorp Stadium.

Returning duo James Hanson, Connor Mitchell have hoisted the trophy before, while Pat Morrey did so for the first time on the weekend, providing UQ with an incredible core of experienced leaders. 

Add in a 100-cap Wallaby skipper in Stephen Moore and veteran duo Con Foley and Scott Gale and you had a 23-man team laden with familiarity for the big moments.

As a result, the entire squad was never phased in times of pressure, with rising stars Alex Davies, Mac Grealy, Kalani Thomas and co having the ideal role models to follow when the going got tough. 

3. The Heenan Factor 

The Heavies ran out a star-studded team in 2021, but the influence of master coach Mick Heenan cannot be understated. 

Heenan has guided the club to the past six-straight Grand Finals, and has won six titles since the beginning of his tenure in 2010. 

Alongside Assistant Coach and Director of Rugby Elton Berrange, Heenan keeps the game plan simple and consistent for his side, while inspiring his players to perform at their very best. 

Like his leaders on the field, Heenan instils a calmness and quiet confidence in his charges that few coaches can.

His resume speaks for itself, and he deserves the opportunity to coach at the next level. 

4. Club depth

UQ claimed the minor premiership in both the Hospital Cup and Reserve Grade, and that’s no easy feat. 

Depth across the entire club is at an all-time high, with many Premier Grade level players forced to bide their time in the second team. 

As a result, the UQ bench has been jam-packed with quality, with the likes of Moore, Will Roach, Brad Kapa, Mosiah Christian and Gale injecting themselves into the game in the second-half. 

With their fresh legs, the Heavies have regularly run over the top of teams in the final 20-minutes, blowing out GPS, Souths, Bond and Brothers in the last quarter of their meetings this year.

Thanks to the strength of their club, Uni never took their foot off the pedal on the way to another premiership. 

5. Set-piece development

After the Heavies were blown off the park at scrum time by Easts in last year’s Grand Final, Uni identified the need to strengthen their set-piece. 

Rather than turn to the open market, the club looked from within and it paid dividends. 

Young gun Davies’ game was developed and under the guidance of the likes of Moore, Hanson and Pat Fepuleai, he became one of the competition’s most improved props. 

Richardson, who packed down in last year’s decider, also took his scrummaging to another level, with the Heavies asserting their will at set-piece to give their electric backline the space they needed to pile on the points. 

Uni turned their weaknesses into strengths in 2021, and with Hanson, Gale, Foley, Morrey and their youthful brigade set to return next season, there’s no reason they can’t lift the trophy once again this time next year.