By Liam Cook

Conceding three consecutive tries to start the season wasn’t on the menu for last year’s runners up, UQ.

In his first game at the helm, new coach Elton Berrange had his work cut out against a rampaging GPS outfit to open the 2023 campaign.

Trailing 19-0 with 10 minutes left in the opening stanza, the Red Heavies mustered all their skill and resilience to score unanswered on four occasions.

Other than his side’s display of fortitude, Berrange was far from thrilled with the round one victory.

“While I was happy to get the bonus point win, we didn’t execute our skills or game plan particularly well,” Berrange told Rugby News.

“I can’t fault the effort of the team and they showed some patience and resilience to come back from 19-0 nil down.”

GPS’ forward pack caused trouble for UQ from the outset. Their physical prowess gifted the visitors early field position, which they converted into simple tries.

“I though Tonga Ma’afu was excellent for them and Dan Byrne caused us problems at the breakdown. Him and his brother Ben, really took the physicality to us.”

A clever outside centre, wing combination proved to be the turning point for UQ, as Kyle Fleetwood-Pieper put UQ on the board just prior to the main interval.

Momentum kept falling the way of the Heavies, who added two tries from the forward pack before some Mac Grealy genius gave the home side a defining lead in the 67^th minute.

Berrange was particularly enthused by the work of his big men in trying to nullify GPS’ imposing physicality, as well as the usual suspects in the back line.

“Mac Grealy was our best on the day while Pat Morrey was into everything and Alex Davies was really strong.

“Ethan McFarland had a run on debut he can be proud of while Nuku Swerling and Brad Twidale Whyte gave us a much-needed boost coming off the bench.”

If round one’s fightback is anything to go by, then the ever-consistent UQ seem bound for another strong season as a new era begins under Berrange.