By Tom Primmer

Brisbane’s lockdown threatened to rob us of any Round 13 Hospital Challenge Cup action, but with restrictions lifting all four games will go ahead on Sunday afternoon. 

Easts will host the University of Queensland in the second Grand Final rematch of 2021, with the Tigers needing a win to continue their rise up the ladder to a finals berth. 

Both sides have named star-studded back rows, with Reds teammates Liam Wright and Seru Uru (Easts) doing battle with their fellow Queensland representatives Sam Wallis and Angus Scott-Young (UQ). 

With Rhys van Nek playing club rugby in Melbourne, Richie Asiata moves to tighthead prop for the Tigers and Zac Crothers comes into the starting side at hooker. 

TJ Siakisini return to the starting side at inside centre for the Heavies, with skipper Pat Morrey making the switch to the second row to accommodate the inclusions of Wallis and Scott-Young. 

UQ assistant coach Elton Berrange said his undefeated side are wary of the Tigers who have impressed in the second half of the season after a slow start to their campaign. 

“Easts are looking really good,” Berrange said. 

“They’ve had some experience and quality come back over recent weeks. It’s a tough place to get a win so we’ll have to play well to get a result. 

“We honestly haven’t even spoken about an undefeated season. So many in our group have been part of long winning runs and then lost Grand Finals so it’s just not a focus. 

“Our first target was to make finals and the next target is to make sure we finish in the top-two so we have that second bite of the cherry come finals.” 

At Crosby Park, Brothers will have the opportunity to regain their spot in the top-four and retain the Bola-Kefu Shield when they host Souths. 

Hamish Stewart will feature for the first time in 2021 at inside-centre for the Brethren, with Stewart the jewel in a star-studded backline featuring Paddy James, Josh Flook, Hudson Creighton and Nate Carroll. 

Up front, Harry Hoopert also returns, and his scrummaging prowess alongside Matt Faessler and Tom Moloney is sure to test the young Souths front row trio of Andrew Romano, Callum Lauder and Phransis Sula- Siaosi. 

Like all clubs, the Brethren have had a disrupted preparation due to lockdown, with last round’s bye an added factor for the side. 

“Lockdown obviously changed our preparation in that we weren’t able to train and having the bye last week is not ideal,” Brothers head coach Brendan Gabbett said. 

“We won’t be adding anything new to our system this week that’s for sure.

“The whole group is feeling very comfortable with each other and we are working towards the same goal and seeing the results of that.”

GPS will look to continue their winning ways on Sunday afternoon when they play a gritty Dragons outfit at Sunnybank. 

Jason Hofmeyr returns for the Gallopers at flyhalf, pushing Mitch Treleaven to the wing, while young prop Emosi Tuqiri has also been named to start, showcasing Jeeps’ incredible front row depth.

Chris Kurindrani has also been named to return at outside-centre, and he’ll go head-to-head with former Reds and Wallabies star Chris Feauai-Sautia. 

Feauai-Sautia will make his club debut for the Dragons, a surprise inclusion who will add experience and try-scoring ability to their backline. 

Former London Wasps backrower Josh Fenner is also back in the starting side after suffering a knee injury in Round 1, and he’ll partner Sam Mataafa and Joseph Faulalo in a powerful back row combination. 

Wests host Norths to round out the action, with Queensland centre Isaac Henry named to retursn from concussion to steel the Bulldogs’ backline. 

He’ll pair with Ilasia Droasese in the midfield, while young gun Taine Roiri will make his starting Premier Grade debut at lock. 

For the Eagles, Ryan Ah Yek will start on the wing, with Harrison Fox coming into the side at lock in place of Callum MacDonald.