Believe it or not, we’re already at the halfway point of the 2019 QLD Premier Rugby regular season. 

After nine rounds, Brothers and Jeeps lead the competition with just seven competition points separating the five teams below them. 

We checked in with all nine Premier Rugby coaches to find out what they’ve thought of the season so far and what they’re expecting in the months ahead. 

Rob Seib: Brothers – 1st (33 pts, 7 wins)

How would you describe your start to the season? Are you where you thought you would be at this point of the year?

“Our focus for the start of the season was to create some early momentum and looking at the ladder you could suggest we’ve done that,” Seib told Rugby News, 

“We focused on doing the fundamentals well to ensure we had a good level of consistency throughout the season and I think we’ve seen that because even on our ‘off days’, we’ve managed to collect a win.

“Given the work ethic of the players during preseason and the collective planning and preparation of the coaching and S&C staff, I’m not surprised that we’ve started positively.”

Who has been your best performer(s) so far this year?

“I’ve been very impressed with the entire playing squad and their work ethic to date. Competition for positions is keeping standards high and driving our level of play. 

“As far as individuals go it is difficult to highlight a few, as they’ve all been contributing and I’ve been particularly impressed with the support and encouragement they offer each other. 

“If I was to highlight players, I would start with our leaders. Tom Moloney (Captain) and Paddy James (Vice-Captain) have been tremendous on and off the field. 

“It’s easy to coach good blokes and these are two great examples.”

What do you need to do over the next 9 rounds to consider 2019 a success?

With the ladder looking the way is does at the moment we would certainly want to finish the regular season games in the top two and give ourselves the double chance in the finals. 

“Anything can happen when it comes to finals, so we’ll be doing everything we can to ensure we are peaking towards the end of the season. 

“Until then, we’ll aim to maintain our current level of consistency.”

Pat Byron: Wests – 4th (19 pts, 4 wins)

How would you describe your start to the season? Are you where you thought you would be at this point of the year?

“We’ve had a solid start to the year and we are happy enough with where we are placed,” Byron aid. 

“We have definitely played some good rugby, but we’ve also identified some key areas to work on. Our attack has generally been pretty good and I think we’re re scoring enough points to win games.  

The biggest work on for us is the set piece. We’ve been inconsistent so far this year and at times that’s stopped us from winning games. 

Who has been your best performer(s) so far this year?

“Effie Ma’afu before he was injured was playing very well, and proved why he’s in the Reds’ squad.

“Carter Gordon has slotted into the team very well and his transition from school to club rugby has been great. Hunter Paisami is also adding a lot to the team on and off the field.

“But as usual, our two best and most consistent players have been Jerry Lynch and Liam Dillon. 

“Jerry is leading from the front this year and his game has gone to another level. Liam is a high quality player and sparks a lot for us in attack.”

What do you need to do over the next 9 rounds to consider 2019 a success?

“Like everyone else, the goal is to win games.  

“For us, our big goal for the year was to finish in the top four and nothing changes.   

We need to maintain our attack focus, but also really need to stabilise our set piece in order to give ourselves an opportunity to get in to and then control games.”

Elia Tuqiri: Souths – 3rd (21pts, 5 wins)

How would you describe your start to the season? Are you where you thought you would be at this point of the year?

“We started off a bit shaky and were one from four but I’ve been pleased that we were able to turn things around and win our last four games,” Tuqiri said. 

“We spoke about being in the top four at the end of the first round of matches, so to be third is a good result.”

Who has been your best performer(s) so far this year?

“I’d have to say Scotty Malolua and Jake Strachan in the halves have been our best performers in the opening round.”

What do you need to do over the next 9 rounds to consider 2019 a success?

“We need to improve our set piece and our physicality if we want to be in the finals,” he said. 

“If we could improve on last year’s standings and make the grand final, then I think we could consider the year a success.”