By LIZ MOORE

Will and Nigel Genia weren’t the only brothers on the field for GPS last weekend. In fact, there were three pairs of brothers all contributing to the GPS Premier grade win over Souths (59-14).

Coaching the Genia, Richards and Tela brothers, GPS’ Elwee Prinsloo said the siblings showed teamwork at its best.

“Being brothers, cohesion comes a hell of a lot easier to them. They just understand each other and you can literally see that magic playing out on the field,” Prinsloo said.

While it’s unlikely Nigel will have his Wallaby centurion brother Will alongside him again this season, the Tela backs and Richards backrower stalwarts plan to stick together at GPS for at least the rest of the year.

Their positions dictate even more closeness between them, with the Richards boys literally brothers in arms at No.7 and No.8, and the Tela brothers also beside each other at flyhalf and inside centre.

Indeed, it’s brotherly love that brought Teti Tela to GPS in the first place. Although he had the unenviable task of choosing between his two brothers, with younger brother, Mika, on the wing at Easts, while older brother Semiti returned to GPS this year after playing overseas.

“It was a bit of a toss-up, which brother to play with,” Tela said. “Hopefully the younger brother doesn’t take it to heart too much. GPS is closer for me and a bit more central to where I’m currently situated.

“To take the field with your own sibling, it’s quite special,” Tela said of playing alongside inside centre Semiti.

“It’s a bit of a natural connection between siblings. We get the sense, and we know how each other plays, so it’s a good connection for sure.”

The 29-year-old flyhalf is a Covid gain for GPS, after moving back from Fiji where he was playing for Twiggy Forrest’s Global Rapid Rugby competition.

Born in Fiji alongside his brothers, Tela moved to Brisbane with his family at the start of his high-school years.

But Fiji has been calling him back of late, even representing his birth country in an unofficial match against the Barbarians at Twickenham late last year.

“It wasn’t an official international cap, but obviously the whole coaching staff and everything was at that international level, and that was amazing. We were also fortunate enough to beat them, so that’s a big highlight,” Tela said.

But for now his focus is firmly on Queensland Premier Rugby and playing alongside his brother at GPS.

“I think a lot of the guys have got a lot of confidence to take into this next game being the first real game of the season as such. The last two games have been good stepping-stones. We’ve got some improvement to go and I think everyone is quite keen and ready to go in terms of the first game.

“I’ve heard big things about a Brothers-GPS Derby, and big crowds and support down there so she’s good times ahead,” Tela said of this weekend’s home game against Brothers.

As for potentially meeting his younger brother against Easts down the track, Tela is equally enthusiastic.

“I’ve played against my older brother, but I haven’t played my younger brother yet, not in Premier Rugby. That’ll be great. It’ll be like the good old days in the backyard.”

IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QRU