QLD Premier Rugby: Top Four Battle As UQ Face Jeeps; Easts Hosts Brothers
By Finn Morton; Photo – Brendan Hertel/QRU Media
The final round of the 2019 Queensland Premier regular season will be played with one eye on the finals, as the top four play each other.
UQ will look to extend their six-match unbeaten run against an in-form Jeeps side, while Easts hope to secure third position against Brothers.
With Jeeps still in the hunt for the Minor Premiership, UQ captain James Dalgleish and the Red Heavies are expecting a physical match.
Dalgleish described this weekends match as being “extremely important” for UQ as they prepare for finals, with momentum meaning so much at this time of year.
“The game this weekend against Jeeps is extremely important to our finals campaign and would provide us with confidence and momentum heading into finals,” Dalgleish stated.
“We are also playing for the Halley Memorial Cup which is extremely important and valued by the club.
“Jeeps have a physical forward pack with a few older heads to steer them around. We will need to compete at the breakdown to do well this weekend.
“Training was as per normal to ensure our regular routine was not disturbed heading into this weekend.”
Dalgleish is confident that UQ can leave Yoku Road with a seventh consecutive victory on Saturday.
The flyhalf values the Student’s close wins of late as an “identifier” of how tough they are to beat when they play to their potential.
“I am confident that if we play to our ability we can beat any team in the competition.
“The competition is tight this year and I think that a number of teams will be tough to beat.
“Being able to grind out a few close wins has been great for our confidence and is a good identifier of how close the competition has been this year.”
Dalgleish and the Students are approaching finals with the confidence that they can “beat any team in the competition.”
“Ideally we would like to come third but either way it won’t change how we approach finals.
“The side is confident that we can beat any team in the competition if we play to our ability.”
Easts will also be looking to claim third spot as they face Brothers at home.