By Liam Cook

Souths’ fullback Sebastian Hanna says his young side can match it with the best ahead of their clash with UQ at St Lucia on Saturday afternoon.

“There’s definitely no team we’ve come up against that I’ve felt are dramatically better than us so that’s a positive but also something we need to get better at,” Hanna told Rugby News.

“It’s a really good group and a group that wants to do well.”

The Magpies have only recorded two wins so far this year despite competitive outings against top four teams.

The young Souths’ side will be looking to claim their first big scalp when they face fourth placed UQ this weekend. 

“UQ are always a tough unit and a well-structured team so we definitely have to be on in terms of set piece,” Hanna said.

“We’ve been well and truly in all games, especially the game against UQ at the start of the season. 

“What we are looking for with UQ this week is preferably a strong start as well as a strong finish.”

Hanna says Souths’ season has been an often promising yet frustrating one due to their inability to compete for the entire duration of a game.

“It hasn’t been that great in terms of win-loss results.”

“We’ve been well and truly matching up with all the teams really well and we’re probably just slipping away in the back half of games which is a bit frustrating.

“We’re just missing out on polishing some of those games off that we’re in.”

The Magpie’s loss to Brothers last week demonstrated their tendency to switch off at crucial moments according to Hanna.

“In terms of moving the footy around we played some of our better footy.”

“There was just a little lapse in the middle of the second half where we let two soft tries in and didn’t help with myself throwing a cut out ball which probably sealed the game for them.

“It was just that little lapse in the second half and we paid the price because Brothers are a quality side.”

Souths’ fullback has been one of the most damaging players across the competition in season 2022.

Now in his third year at premier grade level, Hanna believes he is playing the best footy of his career.

“I feel like it’s probably been my best year at that level.”

“I’m probably just a bit more comfortable and have more experience and maturity.

“It’s nice to be back at fullback where I’m most comfortable and it’s probably my preferred position.”

The dynamic No.15 began his rugby journey at school before joining the Magpies.

“I grew up actually playing rugby league and then went to Nudgee College so pretty quickly changed over to union.”

“Once I finished school I decided I’d go play at Souths because Todd Dammers, the coach of first grade now but colts at the time, worked pretty heavily on getting me over there.

“Always was playing rugby through school and Souths was probably that first place I went to that was footy outside of that.”

Much like his coach, Hanna has been thoroughly impressed with the form of his new No.8 and No.12.

“Young Sammy Mataafa has been really strong in the forwards, it’d be nice to play off the back of him.”

“Your typical faces like Jakob Morrison and even Gavin Wood from Scotland has been real class.”

Despite currently sitting eight on the ladder, Souths’ have plenty of motivation to finish the season strongly.

“For us as a group and a club we are definitely not wanting just to sit back and let the rest of the year roll on.”

“There’s a lot of boys that are young so they’re wanting to improve their game.”

The Magpies have the chance to spoil the party for top four contenders in the run home and gain some momentum heading into 2023.

“We want to have a strong finish going into next season and put some respect on Souths’ jersey and name.”

“We don’t want to be falling off in the back end of the year and we really want to push teams and try and get some wins on the board.”