By TOM PRIMMER

Competition points will be on offer for the first time in 2020 as Round Three of the Hospital Challenge Cup kicks off on the weekend.

Competition leaders Easts and GPS will face the University of Queensland and Brothers respectively in two blockbuster clashes, while Norths will take on Bond University on the Gold Coast and Sunnybank will meet the Magpies in the southside derby.

Let’s take a look around the grounds.

GPS v Brothers | Yoku Road | 3:30pm

GPS have run in 50-plus points in both of their games so far in 2020 and will be out to continue their attacking streak against rivals Brothers at Yoku Road.

The Gallopers have stuck firm with the starting XV which laid on nine tries against Souths in Round Two, with the playmaking combination of the Tela brothers Teti and Semeti paying dividends for the side.

The last time these sides met was the 2019 major semi-final, and Jeeps will be raring to get one back over their fierce rivals after falling 48-40 in that encounter.

“It’s always a great day when we up against the Brethren as they have a big following similar to us,” GPS head coach Elwee Prinsloo said.

“They are the benchmark in terms of an overall club, and they have plenty of talent across the team as well as depth into their lower grades. They play an attractive style of footy and if we are not on point they will punish us from anywhere.

“Discipline and our accuracy in defence will be very important. Brothers is a team that can string phases together and they have guys like Patty James and Rohan Safaloi managing things very well for them around the park.”

The Brethren also head into the clash with an unchanged starting side, as they side look to string their second consecutive win together.

Head coach Anthony Mathison and his side are wary of the Jeeps attacking unit, which has established itself as one of the competition’s most potent in the opening two rounds.

“GPS have scored in excess of 100 points over the last two weeks and are clearly in great form,” Mathison said.

“They have plenty of powerful ball carriers across the pitch who will want to test our defence.

“The focus this week has been around continuing to develop our attacking game and making sure that our defence is ready to go for the threats GPS will throw at us on Saturday.”

University of Queensland v Easts | St Lucia | 3:30pm

After two convincing wins to begin their season, Easts will get the biggest test of their premiership credentials this weekend when they take on the reining premiers UQ at St Lucia.

With depth, experience and spark across the park, the Tigers have been close to the benchmark in the first two rounds, and will need to again be at their best against Uni.

The Students impressed in their first appearance of the year against Norths and will be fresh after the bye last week.

Brad Twidale again starts in the flyhalf jersey, pairing veteran Scott Gale in the halves, while star number-eight Pat Morrey will go head to head with former Wallaby captain Ben Mowen in a mouth-watering backrow clash.

The Tigers have been forced into a number of personeel changes in the backline, with electric flyhalf Jack Frampton out with concussion and Dylan Taikato-Simpson away for the birth of his child.

Eli Pilz returns to the side after recovering from a concussion and will fill Frampton’s boots in the number-ten jersey.

Tigers head coach Moses Rauluni said his side are looking for revenge after being humbled 51-12 by the Heavies in last season’s minor semi-final.

“The focus this week has been physicality and retaining the ball well,” Rauluni said. “We still have nightmares of how Uni dominated us in all aspects in the semis last year, so we have to be on our game.

“They are fast, physical and they work hard for each other. They haven’t been in the finals for the past ten years by luck.

“They’re a talented group and we can’t play for 60 minutes like we did against Wests or we will get punished.”

Sunnybank v Souths | Oldmac Oval | 3:30pm

Sunnybank will play host to the southside derby this Saturday as both the Dragons and Magpies look to bounce back from losses in Round Two.

The home side have gone with a largely unchanged side from last week’s narrow lost to Bond, with the Dragons coming within just one-point off the first win of the season after a Mitch Third penalty goal after the siren.

Halves pairing Neal McNamara and Tom Lucas have impressed so far this season with their building combination and will again be key for the Bankers, while the physicality and work rate of backrowers Josateki Murray and Simana Halaifonua has been outstanding for the Bankers in 2020.

Head coach Sione Fukofuka said consistency across the entire game will be key against the young Souths side.

“We will look to be more accurate at the break down and set piece,” Fukofuka said.

“Concentrating and applying ourselves for the full 80-minutes is a target and improving our inside 22 conversion rate is a must.

“Souths are young and full of energy. Their halfback Billy Rutherford has been playing well, their 10, Roman Prasad has impressed me and Theo Fourie at hooker has led from the front.”

The Magpies learnt a few lessons on Premier Grade rugby last weekend, with a clinical GPS side putting the young side to the sword.

Despite the loss, the experience will only better the youngsters, and they’ll be keen to impress this weekend.

Bond University v Norths | Bond University Rugby Club | 3:30pm

After a thrilling win in their first outing of 2020, Bond will be out to make it two on the trot this Saturday when they take on Norths on the Gold Coast.

It was the Bond backline that again impressed over the weekend, although the side has been forced into a number of changes after last weekend’s dramatic victory.

Electric fullback Joey Fittock drops out of the side after training with the Queensland Reds, with Max Dowd, who scored two tries in his last outing, covering his spot at the back.

Gus Qasevakatini takes Dowd’s spot on the wing, while Ryan Menzies has made the move infield to inside-centre in place of Tyler Campbell with Rhian Stowers lining up on the wing.

Playmaking trio Liam Dillon, Mitch Third, and Dan Boardman are back to lead the side, with Luke Papworth also making his return for the Bullsharks at number-eight.

The Eagles have gone with a largely unchanged side from the XV which fell to Brothers in Round 3, with the front-row combination of Tonga Ma’afu and skipper Cody Blackhurst looking to assert their dominance at set-piece time.

Former Queensland and Australian schoolboy lock Matt Willshire is already impressing in his first year back in the game since 2018, while out wide the likes of Reece Tapine and Veresa Mataitini will be key for the Eagles in turning possession into points.

After faltering at stages in their first two outings, Norths will need a full 80-minute performance on the Gold Coast this Saturday.

IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QRU