By Michael Atkinson; Photo – Brendan Hertel/QRU Media

A new Magpie in the nest, double trouble at GPS, a “Lazarus-like” return from hospital and Ladies Days galore – all that and more in another action-packed weekend in the Hospital Challenge Cup.

Souths vs. Bond University (Match of the Round, 3:20pm, Chipsy Wood Oval)

If there is one day a year you want to play well, it’s Ladies Day.

“The Nest” will be humming on Saturday afternoon with all the female Magpies coming out to watch their favourite Souths players, brothers, boyfriends, husbands and “just mates” run around against Bond.

No Quade Cooper for the Maggies, but Jason Hofmeyr will competently fill the void at 10. His job is made a little easier with a flock of flying Fijians on his outside: the Tela brothers, Emori Waqavulagi and Eto Nabuli (scary stuff for the boys from the Goldie).

If you’ve paid attention to schoolboy rugby in Brisbane over the past few years, another familiar name will pop up – Harley Fox. The prodigious young talent from the “Churchie” school is back in Brisbane and has been given the greenlight to take flight for the Magpies. After stints in Melbourne and overseas, the bullocking backrower will relish his return to Bris-Vegas.

Bond were, by their own admission, really poor against Brothers. They can’t afford another performance like that this weekend or they will be on the receiving end of a cricket score.

Atko’s tip: Souths by 10+

Norths vs. University of Queensland (3:20pm, Hugh Courtney Oval)

The Eagles were handed a bit of a hiding last weekend, but, at home again tomorrow, they’ll be eager for a much-improved performance. They too will be buoyed by a big crowd as they celebrate Ladies Day as well. When the female supporters flock to Shaw Sports, the Eagles’ will be rockin!

University are rested and fresh after a round five bye. I’m told they won’t be bolstered by the return of their Reds players who have opted to use the Super Rugby bye as a rest. Though, they could have a very experienced prop in Sef Fa’agase coming off the bench. He was hospitalised last week with stomach ulcers and is waiting on a doctor’s clearance to take his place on the bench; it will be an impressive feat if he does get on the field.

One of the great stories in this game is SJ Tamala. Tamala came up from Melbourne at the beginning of 2017 as a flanker to improve his rugby. He converted to prop over the preseason and will make his starting debut at tighthead tomorrow; it’s an incredible progression.

There’s enough flankers in Oz rugby, we need more tightheads.

Tip: Uni by 10+

GPS vs. Wests (3:20pm, Yoku Road, Ashgrove)

The Gallopers return home for the first time in four weeks. A big win over Norths last week got them back on track after a loss and a bye; leaving Jeeps sitting pretty at second on the ladder.

Wests are putting in some really competitive performances but just haven’t been able to convert those into wins (their one “W” coming against Bond in round one).

It won’t get any easier for the Doggies tomorrow. Jeeps will have James Tuttle at scrumhalf once again, but their already impressive forward pack gets a double dose of Braai-cooking, boerewers-eating, Super-Rugby-playing, front row strength with Ruan and JP Smith pulling on the green and blue tomorrow. It could be a long afternoon for the Doggies.

Tip: Jeeps by 8

Sunnybank vs. Brothers (late kick-off 4:30pm, Oldmac Oval)

A tipster’s nightmare.

Sunnybank are a good side and they showed that in the first three rounds. But their last two performances have been below par and they’ve conceded more than 100 points in rounds four and five.

Brothers on the other hand are harder to pick than a nose in flu season.

Spanked by GPS in round one, a win over Uni in round two, two losses to Easts and Souths, then a commanding victory over Bond (one this tipper admittedly got very wrong).

I’m going to give Brothers the credit they deserve after that win over the Goldie boys and say they go into this one as favourites. Without their young Junior Wallabies representatives, the old firm of Dallan Murphy and Luke Beauchamp have stepped up. Nico Bueta on the right wing is a massive human with unbelievable skill and young flanker Harrison Wilson gets better each week.

Sunnybank’s forward pack have been solid, as they always are, but I reckon their backline is missing the injection the now-departed Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa (Brumbies) used to provide.

It should be a tight tussle and really could go either way.

Tip: Brothers by 4

Easts have the bye and will hold onto the “Bunter Bowl” for at least another week.

All games are available live and free via redsrugby.com.au