By Tom Primmer

UQ take on Easts in a grand final rematch, Dane Haylett-Petty will boost a GPS side hosting Sunnybank, Norths take on Wests and Souths look to continue their good form against Brothers. We checked in with the camps to bring you the latest news ahead of round four this weekend.

UQ v Easts

The University of Queensland will take on Easts for the first time since the 2020 Grand Final this weekend, but the Students have chosen against using the pain of that defeat to motivate them this weekend. 

Last season’s decider saw the Tigers lift the Hospital Cup in emphatic fashion, their scrum driving the side to a crushing win over Uni at Ballymore. 

Few in the UQ setup are able to forget that day, but assistant coach Elton Berrange said that clash has not been spoken about ahead of the rematch. 

“We haven’t given the Grand Final rematch tag much thought to be honest,” Berrange said.  

“Easts have a number of changes particularly in their pack. 

“The Grand Final was painful which is probably why we haven’t spoken much about it.” 

Both sides look dramatically different to the two who ran onto the field for the decider, while the unavailability of their Reds contingent sees a new look UQ side this weekend too. 

Standouts Mac Grealy, Josh Nasser and Sam Wallis are out, with debutant Patrick Elekana, Cam Flavell and Will Roach starting in their places. 

Flyhalf Brad Twidale has been named to make his return from injury in the number-10 jersey, and will partner scrumhalf Mosiah Christian who impressed in his debut last week.

The Heavies remain undefeated thus far in 2021, although Berrange and head coach Mick Heenan are well aware there are improvements to be made as they strive for their third premiership in the last five seasons. 

“We’re building quietly,” Berrange said. 

“We’re a long way off where we need to be but this time of the year you want to be banking points on the log while improving each week.

“We’ll need to look after our own breakdown. Easts are hard on the ball and we don’t want messy ball. 

“In the wider channels we’ll need to be well organised with two good centres & a smart back three.” 

Easts will welcome back star scrumhalf Eli Pilz and winger Shane Kennedy, with the electric Jack Frampton to start at fullback. 

Still yet to taste victory this season, this shapes an important match as the Tigers look to get their campaign back on track. 

GPS v Sunnybank

Away games don’t get much tougher than fixtures at Yoku Road, with Sunnybank facing the daunting task of taking on GPS at Ashgrove this Saturday afternoon. 

After a win over Easts in Round 1 and a bye the following week, the Bankers fell to heavyweights Bond University last weekend, and have another undefeated side in GPS to tackle this weekend. 

It was set-piece where the Gold Coasters gained the advantage last week, and with Maile Ngauamo, Fred Burke and Jack Straker starting in the Galloper’s front row, the scrum will again be key. 

Head coach Sione Fukofuka has handed Lloyd Gorman a start at loosehead, while Lawrence Tominkio will be key on the other side of the scrum at set-piece time. 

“We will need to aim up physically on both sides of the ball and in our set price to compete,” Fukofuka said. 

“Jeeps are a tough team to beat at home, so we will have to tackle well, win the race to the break down and take our opportunities in attack.” 

Fullback and captain Liam McNamara will be crucial for the Dragons, while Fukofuka is expecting his forward pack to take the fight to the often dominant GPS outfit

“We will be looking for Liam to continue his good form and leadership,” Fukofuka said. 

“His combination with Hayden Sergeant provide direction and drive to the team. 

“We will definitely be looking for our forward pack to take the challenge and lay a platform for us up front.”

GPS have avoided making too many changes to their line-up, with the likes of AJ Alatimu, Teti Tela and Chris Kurindrani key figures in the backline. 

Norths v Wests

After three straight losses to start the season, an 80-minute performance is the focus for Norths against Wests this weekend. 

The Eagles have showed glimpses of their full potential this season but failed to perform consistently in defeats to frontrunners Bond University, Easts and UQ. 

Head coach Pat Byron emphasised his side’s need for consistency as they host the Bulldogs.

“We’re looking for an 80 minute performance,” he said.

“I thought we were really good in patches against UQ, but also really bad in other patches, and that was the same trend against Bond and GPS.

“We need to play well for 80 minutes if we are going to win games in this competition.”

Norths will be without Reds prop Dane Zander, seeing Kieran Fitzgibbon start, while Shai Wiperi will be key at fullback. 

The Bulldogs put the competition notice with a rousing victory over Brothers in their first outing of the year a fortnight ago, making Byron and his charges wary of their opponents. 

“Wests are going to be tough opponent this week,” Byron said.  

“They obviously had a great result against Brothers and got themselves back into the game last week really well, so we know we are going to have to play well to beat them.” 

Rebels flyhalf Carter Gordon will again be in action for Wests, although his Super Rugby teammate Jeral Skelton has been ruled out through injury. 

Joel Atkins will start at scrumhalf in place of Moses Sorovi, with Jono Kent moving to fullback. 

Souths v Brothers

Souths broke through for their win of the season last round, and they’ll carry plenty of momentum into their clash with Brothers on Saturday. 

A 33-24 win gives Todd Dammers and his youthful squad plenty of confidence this weekend, as does last year’s shock victory over Brothers in the same fixture. 

“I think it just rewards our effort,” Dammers said of his side’s win last week. 

“Perhaps we were the only people shocked by the result, but this group of guys have been working hard & know what they are capable of. We have to start again this week.” 

Mindset won’t change for the Souths, with Dammers focusing on consistency with his squad. 

“Exactly the same effort & intent as we talk about every week,” he said of his side’s focus.

“If we do that, we will be happy.”

An injury to regular flyhalf Harry Leerentveld sees captain Luke Samoa move to flyhalf, with youngster Tye James taking his spot at fullback. 

Dennis Waight comes into the side on the wing, while Henry Smith and Mike Siaki will pair up in the centres against a Brothers team fresh from the bye and searching for their first win of the season.

“Brothers will be hungry for a result & are a good side,” Dammers said. 

“They will look to put consistent pressure on us from both sides of the ball. We need to be ready for that pressure.” 

Tom Moloney, Matt Faessler and Ruan Smith will start in a lethal front row combination for the Brethren, while Paddy James has moved to flyhalf after Lawson Creighton suffered a broken leg in their last start. 

Billy Bulley returns on the wing, while Will Wilson has been named to start in the backrow.

Souths broke through for their win of the season last round, and they’ll carry plenty of momentum into their clash with Brothers on Saturday. 

A 33-24 win gives Todd Dammers and his youthful squad plenty of confidence this weekend, as does last year’s shock victory over Brothers in the same fixture. 

“I think it just rewards our effort,” Dammers said of his side’s win last week. 

“Perhaps we were the only people shocked by the result, but this group of guys have been working hard & know what they are capable of. We have to start again this week.” 

Mindset won’t change for the Souths, with Dammers focusing on consistency with his squad. 

“Exactly the same effort & intent as we talk about every week,” he said of his side’s focus.

“If we do that, we will be happy.”

An injury to regular flyhalf Harry Leerentveld sees captain Luke Samoa move to flyhalf, with youngster Tye James taking his spot at fullback. 

Dennis Waight comes into the side on the wing, while Henry Smith and Mike Siaki will pair up in the centres against a Brothers team fresh from the bye and searching for their first win of the season.

“Brothers will be hungry for a result & are a good side,” Dammers said. 

“They will look to put consistent pressure on us from both sides of the ball. We need to be ready for that pressure.” 

Tom Moloney, Matt Faessler and Ruan Smith will start in a lethal front row combination for the Brethren, while Paddy James has moved to flyhalf after Lawson Creighton suffered a broken leg in their last start. 

Billy Bulley returns on the wing, while Will Wilson has been named to start in the backrow.