By ANT BRAND

Brisbane Grammar School are looking to rectify some glaring defensive deficiencies following successive heavy defeats ahead of Saturday’s Round Two GPS First XV match against Churchie.

BGS are reeling from last week’s 39-3 hammering to Brisbane Boys College which followed a 50-15 thumping to Ipswich Grammar School in their final trial.

BGS Director of Rugby Phil Mooney said his charges had taken steps to rectify their defensive woes ahead of an expected fiery clash against their old foe.

“I think defence really gives an insight into the character of your side as well so it is something our boys were disappointed in last week and know they need to be better tomorrow,” he said.

“I know we performed the appropriate review of the last performance and have been working hard on the defensive aspect of the game.

“Ultimately we were exposed in terms of our finishing and our defence and that has been a focus of the team moving forward.”

And despite the score line, Mooney said there were positives to be taken from last week’s loss.

“BBC are a strong side and obviously played well, but we can take some confidence from it and certainly competed in parts of the game,” he said.

“We created and had field position but we just weren’t clinical and able to score the points that we should have. They are two obvious areas we need to be better against Churchie.”

Churchie would have gained some confidence in last week’s 24-19 victory over Gregory Terrace and showed great fight in their 15-7 trial loss to BBC two weeks ago.

Mooney said Churchie were an under-rated force and expected a polished performance from the GPS First XV heavyweight.

“They are a well-coached side and know their game well and to a degree they have flown under the radar,” he said.

“They have done really well in their trials and pushed BBC a couple of weeks ago and pushed Southport the next week.”

And in overcoming the dreaded away trip to Churchie, Mooney said he will be looking to his captain and hooker William Hay to spearhead the side.

“He is also our school captain and it’s his second year in the First XV and he led the team really well against BBC,” he said.

“We have got some boys who have returned in the backs this year as well so it’s a nice spread across the XV. But it’s a highly competitive competition so you have to be at your best every week.”

GPS Rugby Round 2 Fixtures (Saturday August 15)

1. The Southport School v Toowoomba Grammar School

2. Anglican Church Grammar School v Brisbane Grammar School

3. St Joseph’s Nudgee College v Ipswich Grammar School

4. Brisbane State High School v St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace

Bye: Brisbane Boys’ College