Premier Rugby: Pilz key man for Tigers against UQ, Bond Uni’s big chance v Jeeps
By TOM PRIMMER
The Hospital Cup finals are upon us, with Ballymore playing host to the semi-finals this weekend.
Minor premiers Easts will take on the University of Queensland on Saturday, before Bond University face off with GPS in the do or die minor semi-final.
Let’s take a look at both games.
Easts v University of Queensland | Ballymore | 3:30pm | Saturday October 17
Easts and UQ have been the competition’s best teams all season, so it’s no wonder they’ll face off in the major semi-final, with the winner advancing straight to the Grand Final.
The sides have met just once this year, with the Tigers claiming a 31-24 win all the way back in Round Three.
Easts have gone with a largely unchanged XV from the team who knocked Brothers out of finals contention last weekend and will again look to their set piece to lay the platform at the home of Queensland rugby.
Eli Pilz looms as a key man at scrumhalf, as does experienced fullback Aidan Toua, while the Tiger’s front row of Rhys van Nek, Richie Asiata and George Francis will be out to stamp their authority from the outset.
The Tigers have incredible depth in the backrow, with the likes of Ben Mowen, Seru Uru, Michael Gunn and Tom Milosevic forming a lethal combination on both sides of the ball.
There’ll also be an opportunity for revenge for the minor premiers for the Tigers, with Uni knocking them out of last year’s finals with a resounding 51-12 win in what was undoubtedly Easts’ worst performance of the season.
Captain Ben Mowen said his side was raring to go for Saturday afternoon.
“It’s been a really rewarding year, but the target’s never been to get a minor premiership, it’s always been to get the full premiership,” the former Wallabies skipper said.
“It’s a pretty special time of year to be involved, but we’ve got our eyes firmly on what the task is ahead.
“I wasn’t fortunate enough to qualify last year, so I spent the day running water and we had a lot of time under our posts to reflect on how we should improve.
“It’s been good motivation for us this year coming into the season and that’s been the really rewarding thing, that commitment from the whole squad and the whole club has been there from the very first day of pre-season.”
They’ll face a UQ side fresh from an upset loss to Bond, with the Heavies falling 48-28 to relinquish their grip on the minor premiership.
They’ll welcome back a number of proven stars this weekend, with Scott Gale, Con Foley and Angus Scott-Young back in action.
Reds fullback Jock Campbell has also been named, pushing Mac Grealy to the wing to form a lethal Uni back three.
Josh Nasser will start at hooker, while Pat Morrey, Sam Wallis and Connor Mitchell form a backrow with aggression and title winning experience aplenty.
UQ Director of Rugby Elton Berrange said last week’s loss could be the perfect “humble pie” his side needs as they approach another finals series.
“Finishing at the top, knowing we have at least two weeks and we have our destiny in our own hands is pretty awesome,” Berrange said.
“I think we’ll get a lot of value after last week because there’s nothing better than a bit of humble pie before finals.
“We got exactly what we deserved, Bond played far better than us and you almost couldn’t dream of a better situation leading into finals, the opportunity for redemption.
“You cannot buy experience and when you get to this time of year just the language and the intensity that happens at training because so many of our blokes have been here so many times is so valuable.
“A lot of them have lost Grand Finals too, so you’re brutally aware of the consequences of not performing and not preparing well enough mentally.
“They are a very good at set-piece and they have a very distinct way they play. We will focus on being a lot better at our set-piece and our intention is to challenge their game plan so they’re forced to adjust.”
Bond University v GPS | Ballymore | 3:30pm | Sunday October 18
The equation is simple for both Bond University and GPS this weekend – win and stay alive or lose and the season’s over.
This weekend will be the Bull Sharks first ever trip to Ballymore for finals as a Premier Grade team, with confidence and unity high on the Gold Coast.
The side will again have the services of Reds duo Angus Blyth and Zane Nonggorr, adding some vital physicality and aggression to the forward pack.
Dylan Rowe will be key for the side in the back row, as will Nick Turner up front.
The Gold Coasters will again look to their potent backline for points, with the likes of Liam Dillon, Mitch Third, Dan Boardman and Joey Fittock all looking primed and ready for a tilt at the title.
Jeeps humbled Bond with a 34-22 last time these two side’s met, and flanker Rowe said his side is motivated to get their revenge on the Gallopers.
“When we found out that Jeeps were in it was almost the ideal result for us, we get to make up for that loss a couple of weeks ago where we probably just didn’t get out of the driveway, we were stuck in second gear for most of the game,” Rowe said.
“We showed glimpses to try and come back in that game, but it wasn’t to be and Jeeps were too good at the end of the day.
“We’ve got our reinforcements now and a couple weeks to let that loss sting just enough that we’re hungry to get the win.
“It was a really good feeling at the club after the win last week, obviously the first time the club has ever made the finals there was a good buzz and we celebrated the way we should, but now we’re focused on this one.
“Just making finals was never the goal, it was always to win the premiership.”
Jeeps narrowly snuck into the top four last week, but with plenty of finals experience on hand, the Gallopers are ready to again make a charge for the Hospital Cup.
Playmakers Teti Tela and AJ Alatimu will be key for the side, with their kicking game vital in nullifying Bond’s attacking threats, while wingmen Josh Collins and Jono Kent will also have a huge job to do against the Bull Sharks in both defence and attack.
The side’s already strong forward pack has been bolstered by Reds pair Tuania Tualima and Jack Straker, with Tualima sure to make an impact after a breakout season in Super Rugby.
Set piece will be at the core of the Jeeps plan, with front row stalwarts Fred Burke, Maile Ngauamo and Jethro Felemi putting on a scrum clinic the last time these two sides met.
Head coach Elwee Prinsloo said his side are grateful to be a part of the finals and are focused on making the most of their opportunity.
“We were obviously extremely happy we stayed in the four after last weekend,” Prinsloo said.
“We know finals footy is always a little different from the normal competition. Emotions are high and players are excited to perform well.
“The most important thing for us is to control our excitement and focus on our processes as the results will look after themselves.
“They have an electric back three and a physical midfield. I also think their backrow is amongst the best in the competition.
“With the addition of Nongorr and Blyth they will no doubt be better in set piece so overall they are a strong unit.
“It’s going to be fast and brutal no doubt and we are looking forward to be part of it.”
IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QRU