By Liam Cook

UQ’s dominate No.8 Nuku Swerling has received a new lease on his rugby life since joining the first-grade side this year.

The powerfully built forward has withstood substantial adversity to be in the position he is today at his new home.

After a storied career in the Australian under twenties, the NRC, and the professional French Top fourteen competition, Swerling returned for his initial club side Bond in 2018 to shocking news.

“My first game for Bond Uni I shattered my neck and was told that I could never play again,” Swerling told Rugby News.

“I pretty much stayed away from the rugby scene and shied away from it.”

On the advice of the club, Swerling sought a second opinion that ultimately cleared him to return to play.

Despite this news, the hulking forward still had his reservations about returning to the sport he loves. 

“I took 2019 and 2020 off because I was still a bit unsure and then in 2021 one of my best mates told me to come play at UQ so I had a run around with reggies in the back end of the season.”

This short stint with UQ was enough to both reignite Swerling’s confidence and peak the interest of premier grade coach Mick Heenan.

“Heeno called me up in pre-season and said, ‘mate we need you to come back’.”

“He pulled me in, got me fit and I’m back playing now and enjoying my footy.”

Since consolidating his first-grade spot, Swerling has produced consistent performance after consistent performance.

His pure aggression and brute force has once again been unlocked thanks to his new coach and teammates.

“I thought I would be a bit rusty but training with all the boys and growing off them has definitely helped me become that impact player.”

“Heeno’s an awesome coach and he brings the best out of players which I’ve seen playing against Uni but now being able to play under him you definitely reap the rewards.”

Swerling’s addition to the reigning premiers has been a welcome one given the number of premiership players the club lost at the end of last year.

UQ’s season hasn’t always lived up to their own lofty standards but Swerling is confident they are gearing up for a late season surge.

“We’ve gone off some of our goals when we’ve lost throughout the mid-season but we’ve managed to get back on track.”

“After good wins against Brothers and Easts we are hoping we can back it up in the next three games that are really crucial for us.”

The Student’s took plenty of positives away from their vital win over rival Brothers two weeks ago, a clash that was Swerling’s first against the long-time enemy.

“Even the big build-up of the rivalry between Uni and Brothers was so good,” he said.

“It also helps having players like Mac Grealy and Lukas Ripley from rep footy come down to help us.”

With the race for the final’s intensifying, UQ will have a battle on their hands to maintain their second place on the ladder.

The Student’s haven’t emphasised the prospect of going back-to-back this season according to Swerling.

“To be honest they really haven’t said anything about going back-to-back which is surprising, I thought there would be more talk about it.”

“It just goes to show how great a squad we have that they’ve been able to not worry about the result we had last year and just focus on what we have now and winning the premiership this year.”

Leaders like Conor Mitchell and Pat Morrey have been major influences on the big forward.

Their leadership qualities’ have helped keep the Students grounded and focused on their specific roles.

Nuku Swerling’s role is pretty simple and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Every time I talk to Heeno asking how I can improve he’s just like, ‘all I want to see is big hits’.”

“My job is to bring impact, physicality, and big carries to bend the line and hopefully set it up for the backs to finish the job.

“Hopefully I get my head in there and do some of the tough work.”