By Adam Sheldon

UQ pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 Hospital Cup season, beating premiership contender Easts 50–31 at home to keep their finals dreams alive.

Not many experts or fans – outside of UQ head coach Elton Berrange – would have predicted the result, with Easts coming into the match having lost just once all season.

“The air feels cleaner this week, the food tastes better, and the beer tastes colder,” Berrange told Rugby News following the win.

“You can’t not turn up in this competition – if you’re off by even one percent, you’ll get your arse handed to you, and that’s exactly what happened to us against Bond last week.

“We just went really insular this week. We stopped worrying about who we were playing and just focused on ourselves – on our attitude, physicality and motivation.”

It clearly worked, with the UQ head coach describing the game as his side’s best performance this season.

“We had a bit of a point to prove to ourselves. As coaches, we know what’s required, but the art is delivering it in a way the players can absorb and execute. This week they did,” Berrange said.

He lauded the performances of “outstanding” winger Niven Longopoa, who was “into everything”, as well as five-eighth Teti Tela, who had a “hell of a game”.

The win lifted UQ to 30 points – just five behind fourth-placed Souths – with Berrange’s side due to face the Magpies, Brothers and Sunnybank after a bye this weekend.

“We know what’s required: three wins minimum – and probably all with bonus points. That is what we will be aiming for,” UQ’s head coach said.

UQ could receive a major boost for their Round 16 clash with Souths, with five Queensland Reds players potentially available for selection following this weekend’s AUNZ Invitational fixture in Adelaide.

Jock Campbell, Josh Nasser, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas and Lachie Anderson are all involved in that fixture and, if released, could return to bolster UQ’s finals push.

“Their availability will be huge for us,” Berrange said. “It’ll be a nice boost to get those boys back for the Souths game – they’ll make a real difference.”

Around the Grounds

Elsewhere in the competition, Bond pipped Souths 34–33 away, lifting the visitors to 32 competition points – just three behind Souths, who picked up two crucial bonus points in the loss.

“Bond have clicked into gear at the right time. Mick (Heenan) and I had a beer after our game and you could tell the players had lifted,” Berrange said.

Wests recorded a massive result at home, beating first-placed Brothers 27–21 and handing the visitors just their second loss of the season. Elwee Prinsloo’s side have now won eight straight games and are clearly the form side as finals approach.

“Wests have a seriously good roster. They know their roles, they’re well coached, and they’re staying healthy. But you want to peak in four weeks, not now. That’ll be their challenge,” Berrange said.

The weekend’s final result saw Norths beat Sunnybank 40–35 at home, as they – like UQ – also moved to 30 competition points for the season and remained in the finals race.

GPS had the bye.