By ANT BRAND

Brisbane State High’s inexperienced charges learned some hard lessons in last week’s 52-12 defeat to Nudgee as they steel themselves for Saturday’s GPS First XV season-opener against reigning Premiers The Southport School.

That’s the reckoning of Brisbane State High coach Pat Byron whose side boast just two regular starters from last year’s crop which was telling as they were dismantled by a red-hot Nudgee outfit in their final trial match.

Byron said he expected last week’s reality check to pay dividends for season 2020 as many of his troops came to terms with the week-to-week rigours of GPS First XV rugby.

“Nudgee was a huge step up for them on the weekend. For some of them it was maybe a step too far. For others, it was a great learning experience,” he said.