We’re past the halfway point of the 2024 GPS first XV competition with Nudgee and Brisbane State High leading the way after five rounds.

With plenty to play for in the final four weeks, we checked in with a few of the first XV coaches this week to get the inside word on each school’s campaign.

Gregory Terrace: 5th (2 wins, 2 losses) 

How would you describe the first half of your season?

We’ve been pretty pleased with our first half of the year after a bad start against TSS,” Gregory Terrace coach Adrian Thompson told Rugby News.

“We had two solid wins after that and we had our changes against Nudgee. The team has been defending really well.”

What are you looking to work on in the back half of the season?

We’re focussing a lot at the moment on our lineout and trying to keep as much possession as possible,” Thompson explained.

“We’ve put ourselves under too much pressure at times in the first few rounds.”

Who wins the competition?

“I think it’s Nudgee, they just find a way to absorb pressure and know how to win the big moments in games. They’ve got a really dominant lineout as well, which also helps.”

Remaining matches: Toowoomba Grammar (A), BBC (H), Brisbane State High (A), Ipswich Grammar (H)

Ipswich Grammar: 8th (1 win, 3 losses)

How would you describe the first half of your season?

“There’s two ways you can look at it. One is that we’ve been so close but still so far in a number of close losses so far this year,” Ipswich Grammar Director of Rugby Russell Todd told Rugby News.

“The other way to look at it is how much we’ve closed the gap against some of the top teams compared to last year.

“We’re disappointed, but there’s also some really positive signs of growth.

What are you looking to work on in the back half of the season?

“We need to be more clinical in the right areas of the field and turn territory into points to keep the scoreboard ticking over,” Todd said.

“To be honest, I don’t think we’re far away from where we need to be. It’s a game of moment, we’ve just got to find a way to come out on the right side of some of those moments over the next four weeks.”

Who wins the competition?

“Gee, I don’t know but it’d be a helluva final round clash if Nudgee and State High are still undefeated.

“They both look really strong but I also wouldn’t write off BBC just yet. They’ve been quietly going about their business and have been behind in their last few fixtures and found a way to fight back and win quite comfortably in the end.”

Remaining matches: TSS (H), Churchie (A), Brisbane Grammar (H), Gregory Terrace (A)

Brisbane Grammar Grammar: 9th (4 losses)

How would you describe your first half of the season and why?

“It’s been an enjoyable start to the year for me as a coach but it’s been tough in terms of results. We played really well against Terrace and got held up over the line for a try that would have won us the game,” Grammar coach Tom Court told Rugby News.

“A week later, we kept pace with Nudgee in the first half, so I think that’s really encouraging.

“I also think we’ve increased the skill level across both our first XV and our seconds so far this year, which bodes well for the future.”

What do you need to work on in the back end of the season?

“We need to find small wins in games. If everything is based on results, then when a team gets a try or two ahead, it’s easy to let the floodgates open.

“We want to search for small wins so that we can stay in games for longer periods and I know the boys are resilient enough to do that.”

Who wins the competition and why?

“It’s always tough to look past Nudgee. They just get all the basics right from 1-15 and to be honest, across seconds and thirds as well, they all do the little things really well,” Court said.

“They don’t have many weaknesses but they’ve been pushed a few times already.

“If Roman Siulepa plays the full season with State High, they are also going to be hard to beat.

“BBC are also a very good side and still have their best rugby ahead of them.”

Remaining matches: BBC (A), Brisbane State High (H), Ipswich Grammar (A), TSS (H)