By TOM PRIMMER

Easts v Sunnybank | David Wilson Field | 3:05pm

Easts have been crowned the team to beat this year, and after Hospital Cup and Australian Club Championship wins in their last two outings, the Tigers are high on confidence this season.

Their side will take on a different shape this season, with veterans Aidan Toua, Michael Gunn and Ben Mowen retiring and star front rower Rhys van Nak taking up a Super Rugby contract with the Rebels.

Mowen’s retirement sees Tom Milosevic assume his position as both captain and No.8, while the exciting Alex Smit will get first crack at the No.7 jersey.

Eli Pilz is back at scrumhalf after a standout 2020 campaign, with Jack Frampton and Dylan Taikato-Simpson providing spark at flyhalf and fullback respectively.

George Francis, Andrew Owens and SJ Tamala have the imposing task of continuing the Tigers’ set-piece dominance in the front row, with head coach Moses Rauluni and his squad putting the success of last year behind them.

“After a successful 2020 season the club has moved on from that year and are fixed on trying to create even better memories for 2021.

“Our focus is on continuing the same work ethic but trying to be consistent for a longer and harder system.

“Sunnybank will be well drilled and accurate. We have to be on the ball defensively to stop their offloads and set-piece.”

The Bankers proved to be one of the competition’s grittiest sides last year, refusing to say die for the full 80-minutes, week in, week out.

Liam McNamara will captain the side in 2021, with younger brother Neal, Hayden Sargeant and Puni Aupuni providing spark alongside their skipper in the backline.

Josh Fenner will start at number-eight after returning from the United Kingdom, while former Junior Wallabies prop Laurence Tominiko will be run on in the front row alongside Lloyd Gorman and Daniel Anae.

“Our focus is to play Sunnybank Rugby: up-tempo attack, skilful counter and physical hard-working defence,” Dragons head coach Sione Fukofuka said.

“We want to be a smart team and play off a strong set piece to build pressure and score points, then defend them.

“Pre-season has been really positive. The boys have worked hard at building a good physical base and really embraced the detail in the physical conditioning.

“Rugby wise we have worked hard on upskilling our squad, building depth, learning the content and improving our capacity to make good decisions consistently.”

The sides will play for the Rick Tyrell Cup, campaigning for mental health in the rugby community.