QLD Colts 2022

[The Engine Room]

Am hearing that Tom Lynagh is done for the season in UQ Colts after 2 appearances.

A loss for UQ considering they have only been able to score over 19 points once in 6 games . One of those games was a forgive in the appalling conditions v. Brothers at UQ - although that didn’t stop Brothers going on a rampage and putting 31 points on.

And all 5 of their tries were to the centres and wingers.

In fact , 6 of the 8 tries scored against UQ have been to backs and 9 of 11 tries scored by UQ have been through their forwards.

Brothers , Easts and Souths are the top 3 with Easts beating UQ convincingly on the weekend with Easts 13 , Gus Godwin , a stand out , pretty much doing what he wanted with UQ’s midfield. Bearing in mind that Souths pretty much beat themselves moreso than what UQ won it with two knock ons over the try line .

Wests have come good , Norths look like they’ ve either been screwed or unable to control a couple of fundamental issues with their set piece (lineout) that have cost them in games. Bond are a bit of an undefeated sleeper but haven’t played their toughest games yet of the first round.

These 3 teams with UQ will be nipping at the heels of Souths and fighting out for that 4th spot

Hardly call a 17-14 win for Easts convincing. A penalty goal the difference between the Red Heavies and the Tigers.

 

[Garry Owens]

Is that your view just because of the score line ?

I just think it was hard for any team to score points on such a greasy deck , however from what I saw :

1. Easts held their own in the scrum and had a superior line out (Taine Riori was the pick of the locks on the field and it showed) and from what I saw Max Craig outplayed his counter part by a bit. Not sure why UQ's best available option at 2 , Will Hay, isn't starting and is fresh bench backup at either Prop.

2. Easts defense in tight was better and were better with the ball on the ground (they won the forced turnovers battle )

3. Sam Farrar had a significant class edge at 9 and it was shame for Easts he got red carded as I think the score line would have been bigger. Not sure why Mac McGhee, one of the only bright spots in last year's UQ Colts 1 backline - can't get a run there this season

4. Oryaan Kalolo at 10 took the honours in the playmaker stakes . He had some rough service from the replacement 9 but handled it superbly and got his Centres and outside backs going ,whereas, there were a number of critical handling errors and a self isolating turnover down the stretch, an intercept thrown to Gus Godwin that resulted in a 7 pointer , and basically no real capacity to commit defenders and make plays for the outside from the UQ counterparts.

5. Gus Godwin at 13 was the most dominant player on the field

6. Byron Tokome on Easts left wing was electric when he had opportunity and Ben McMahon for UQ ( as always ) took the points on the other wing

7. Blake Davis had the class edge for Easts - especially in his tactical kicking game. Those Easts boys really know the roll of that back left corner.

I concede because of the conditions the game could have gone either way , however , if objectivity wins through you'd probably only have 4 UQ guys in the Match 15

If this is there or thereabouts - that's convincing. Irrespective of what the scoreboard says.

 

[The Engine Room]

Is that your view just because of the score line ?

I just think it was hard for any team to score points on such a greasy deck , however from what I saw :

1. Easts held their own in the scrum and had a superior line out (Taine Riori was the pick of the locks on the field and it showed) and from what I saw Max Craig outplayed his counter part by a bit. Not sure why UQ's best available option at 2 , Will Hay, isn't starting and is fresh bench backup at either Prop.

2. Easts defense in tight was better and were better with the ball on the ground (they won the forced turnovers battle )

3. Sam Farrar had a significant class edge at 9 and it was shame for Easts he got red carded as I think the score line would have been bigger. Not sure why Mac McGhee, one of the only bright spots in last year's Colts 1 backline - can't get a run there this season

4. Oryaan Kalolo at 10 took the honours in the playmaker stakes . He had some rough service from the replacement 9 but handled it superbly and got his Centres and outside backs going ,whereas, there were a number of critical handling errors and a self isolating turnover down the stretch, an intercept thrown to Gus Godwin that resulted in a 7 pointer , and basically no real capacity to commit defenders and make plays for the outside from the UQ counterparts.

5. Gus Godwin at 13 was the most dominant player on the field

6. Byron Tokome on Easts left wing was electric when he had opportunity and Ben McMahon for UQ ( as always ) took the points on the other wing

7. Blake Davis had the class edge for Easts - especially in his tactical kicking game. Those Easts boys really know the roll of that back left corner.

I concede because of the conditions the game could have gone either way , however , if objectivity wins through you'd probably only have 4 UQ guys in the Match 15

If this is there or thereabouts - that's convincing. Irrespective of what the scoreboard says.

"I just think it was hard for any team to score points on such a greasy deck" - really??? What was the score in Premier Grade again??? Let me think back...51-15.

 

[Garry Owens]

Prems look like it was an over powering with 4 of their 8 tries coming through the forwards and then TJ Siakisni. You'd expect them to convert at a much higher clip with control and composure in good field position off power drives or off rolling mauls at this level compared to Colts.

The broader point is that UQ have trouble scoring points through the backs for the last 2 years. And after getting handled by Norths , Souths (bar Lynagh) Brothers and Easts through the backs , and in the last 1.5 of encounters , through the forwards as well , its probably fair enough to ask why. I thought they missed their starting 7 , Jonathan Burnett, a lot on Saturday

It is promising however that Lachie Shaw , a 6'7 lock played his first game in 2 years on Saturday in Colts 2 and looked very bloody good. Young man is a gamer.

 

[yes no maybe]

Is that your view just because of the score line ?

I just think it was hard for any team to score points on such a greasy deck , however from what I saw :

1. Easts held their own in the scrum and had a superior line out (Taine Riori was the pick of the locks on the field and it showed) and from what I saw Max Craig outplayed his counter part by a bit. Not sure why UQ's best available option at 2 , Will Hay, isn't starting and is fresh bench backup at either Prop.

2. Easts defense in tight was better and were better with the ball on the ground (they won the forced turnovers battle )

3. Sam Farrar had a significant class edge at 9 and it was shame for Easts he got red carded as I think the score line would have been bigger. Not sure why Mac McGhee, one of the only bright spots in last year's UQ Colts 1 backline - can't get a run there this season

4. Oryaan Kalolo at 10 took the honours in the playmaker stakes . He had some rough service from the replacement 9 but handled it superbly and got his Centres and outside backs going ,whereas, there were a number of critical handling errors and a self isolating turnover down the stretch, an intercept thrown to Gus Godwin that resulted in a 7 pointer , and basically no real capacity to commit defenders and make plays for the outside from the UQ counterparts.

5. Gus Godwin at 13 was the most dominant player on the field

6. Byron Tokome on Easts left wing was electric when he had opportunity and Ben McMahon for UQ ( as always ) took the points on the other wing

7. Blake Davis had the class edge for Easts - especially in his tactical kicking game. Those Easts boys really know the roll of that back left corner.

I concede because of the conditions the game could have gone either way , however , if objectivity wins through you'd probably only have 4 UQ guys in the Match 15

If this is there or thereabouts - that's convincing. Irrespective of what the scoreboard says.

No mention of the absolute howler the referee made when issuing the easts player with the red card? Pulled up play for a dangerous tackle on a uq centre just as the uq winger was grounding the ball over the try line, wasn’t a good look. Uq’s best front row option is Swane, Wigan, Booker in that order however I believe injury is saying otherwise at the moment. Easts had the star studded side on the day and I thought they might have turned it right for the crowd but that wasn’t to be. How great is Gus Goodwin to watch? Can attack and defend from anywhere and never looks to be in a rush or panicked yet makes a massive influence on the game, pure class!

 

[Garry Owens]

^ Yeah that's a fair point. Bad outcome for UQ but also changed the game IMO with Farrar being sent. Still doesn't change my view that Easts were quite a bit better across the park , position by position , and were a better team on the day despite what the scoreboard says.

I agree with you that when healthy Charlie Wigan is your starting 1 but I easily have Angus Ward as the starting 3 and then Will Hay as your starting 2. This is also assuming that the eligible Lachie Pheely and Jake Tierney won't be back in Colts and are now Grade Players.

Ward and Booker are both a bit green in general play and can get in the way of attack shape , actually change that - there is no attack shape to really speak of, the younger charges just sort of get in the way and think about what they're going to do rather than an awareness of attempted pattern or movement happening around them. Both have limited passing skill - Booker less so than Ward.

But dead set , from what I've seen so far , Ward is easily the best set piece 3 in the competition (don't worry about him being the best set piece 3 at UQ) and makes a significant positive difference to the scrum when he's on the field, and , his ball carry is strong. I think he's got a stack of potential and would not be surprised to see him anchoring the Prem Grade scrum in a couple of years and partnering Alex Davies on the other side - maybe Charlie Wigan if he continues to develop. He's fortunate , as are the other stack of quality tight 5 prospects in the UQ Colts ranks, to have Herman Hunt as their forwards Coach - and particularly their set piece Coach. That's the calling card of this year's team

 

[yes no maybe]

^ Yeah that's a fair point. Bad outcome for UQ but also changed the game IMO with Farrar being sent. Still doesn't change my view that Easts were quite a bit better across the park , position by position , and were a better team on the day despite what the scoreboard says.

I agree with you that when healthy Charlie Wigan is your starting 1 but I easily have Angus Ward as the starting 3 and then Will Hay as your starting 2. This is also assuming that the eligible Lachie Pheely and Jake Tierney won't be back in Colts and are now Grade Players.

Ward and Booker are both a bit green in general play and can get in the way of attack shape , actually change that - there isn't anything there to speak of , they just can get in the way and think about what they're going to do rather than an awareness of movement happening around them. Both have limited passing skill - Booker less so than Ward.

But dead set , from what I've seen so far , Ward is easily the best set piece 3 in the competition (don't worry about him being the best set piece 3 at UQ) and makes a significant positive difference to the scrum when he's on the field, and , his ball carry is strong. I think he's got a stack of potential and would not be surprised to see him anchoring the Prem Grade scrum in a couple of years and partnering Alex Davies on the other side - maybe Charlie Wigan if he continues to develop. He's fortunate , as are the other stack of quality tight 5 prospects in the UQ Colts ranks, to have Herman Hunt as their forwards Coach - and particularly their set piece Coach. That's the calling card of this year's team

Big wraps on Ward. Goes missing in defence and brake down and seems to be reluctant to put the hard carry’s in apart from when he’s 3 metres from the try line. I’ll stick by Swane, Wigan, Booker as pick front row. Plenty of size and strength, all very good technical scrummagers with high work rates and don’t mind getting their hands dirty when things aren’t going their way.

 

[DELETE ACCOUNT]

Big wraps on Ward. Goes missing in defence and brake down and seems to be reluctant to put the hard carry’s in apart from when he’s 3 metres from the try line. I’ll stick by Swane, Wigan, Booker as pick front row. Plenty of size and strength, all very good technical scrummagers with high work rates and don’t mind getting their hands dirty when things aren’t going their way.

Good discussion points but the future for Swane in the short term is waterboy, seeing as he dislocated a shoulder against Easts. More scans this week will reveal the full damage.

 

[Garry Owens]

I think a lot of this comes down to recruitment , what was promised - and whether the recruiter ( if they are also the Coach ) just sticks to "his guys" thick or thin , the meritocracy ( to the extent it exists ) and then player attitudes and expectation management.

My mail is one of the young lads, a first year player at the Club , ended up on a team he thought was beneath him was a bit mouthy about it which didn't sit with a lot of the 19 to 20 year olds 2 to 3 year Club Vets in that team , some of whom have won a 2's premiership last year, and done plenty enough over a couple of seasons in time down the mine to have their opportunities that haven't been forthcoming. Instead, rooks have come in as a Coach-Recruiters "my guy" and have had the rub of the green.

It's the same at every Club but I guess there are a couple of important points . Winning justifies and cures everything. Losing exposes the cracks in the culture. And then , if you are an 18 year rookie and you don't think you are where you should be - don't bitch about it and hold yourself out to be better than the other older 19 to 20 year old players you are playing with , some of whom , are on the wrong side of the ass cheek. It won't endear you to your team mates.

This year's skip, Hugo Perceval , spent his time in 2's last year, as did (incredibly) Michael Van Der Schyff and Ben McMahon - and they just got on with it and played.

Insofar as the Ward thing .....meh......I have no horse in the race. It's just patently clear the scrum functions more dominantly when he's at 3. I really don't really see how anyone can sincerely argue against that. I think his ball carry and work rate is as good as the others and isn't as deficient, and, I'm calling bullshit on the missing in action claim. Fair is fair. It's a rare case of the meritocracy winning over agenda and the young fella deserves his due.

I think what sets him apart is , like John Downes , they both come from power lifting backgrounds , and are ridiculously strong. The risk is for guys that come from this background is may not build with balance which can screw up their biomechanics - and also create a bigger risk toward serious injury as they properly get into their older adult bodies (usually hamstrings- and I think Downes has already had his issues there). The one thing I would say about Ward in coming from this background is that on the eye test his running movement looks just fine . There have been a few occasions this season where he has powered through a hole or half hole and shown some decent explosive speed for a big guy - his try on Saturday ( albeit an uncontested line break) illustrated his wheels for a Prop.

 

[Garry Owens]

This weekend

Jeeps at Norths (W)
Easts at Brothers (W)
Bond at UQ (W)
Sunnybank at Souths (W)


Wests with the bye

I expect those first 3 games will be super tight and will be less than 7 points in it to either team

 

[Confucius Say]

21-7 GPS
31-5 Brothers
Draw UniQ BUni
36-7 Souths

 

[Confucius Say]

Hard to know where Easts are at. Bye next week to think about it. Who can stop Brothers?

 

[Oldschool]

I see North's lost some points like the GPS prem grade. Except their issue was unintentionally playing a suspended player. Club needs to check their emails more often, or at least appoint a rugby director so such "balls ups" don't happen.

 

[DELETE ACCOUNT]

I see North's lost some points like the GPS prem grade. Except their issue was unintentionally playing a suspended player. Club needs to check their emails more often, or at least appoint a rugby director so such "balls ups" don't happen.

How does a player not know they are under suspension?
Surely he/she would have been at the judiciary hearing or received a direct correspondence along with something informing the club management.

 

[Oldschool]

How does a player not know they are under suspension?
Surely he/she would have been at the judiciary hearing or received a direct correspondence along with something informing the club management.

No and Yes.

To many yellow cards, pretty sure the player is not made aware from the QRU, the club is though.

 

[DELETE ACCOUNT]

Hard to know where Easts are at. Bye next week to think about it. Who can stop Brothers?

The finals

 

[Confucius Say]

Bond might test Brothers this weekend. Both were in my top 4 prediction in January so expect this will be one of those match that might be a pointer to end of year.
Having now watched a few Bro replay, I believe they are beatable before the finale come around. But no team yet to come within two converted try of them.

 

[DELETE ACCOUNT]

Bond might test Brothers this weekend. Both were in my top 4 prediction in January so expect this will be one of those match that might be a pointer to end of year.
Having now watched a few Bro replay, I believe they are beatable before the finale come around. But no team yet to come within two converted try of them.

agree they are very beatable.
Opposition coaches just need to do their homework to find the opportunities.

 

[Rugby follower]

I see North's lost some points like the GPS prem grade. Except their issue was unintentionally playing a suspended player. Club needs to check their emails more often, or at least appoint a rugby director so such "balls ups" don't happen.

Norths will rue losing these points especially after destroying Wests this weekend. Instead of being on the edge of the 4 they are over a game from it. Great to see results all over the shop in colts instead of the many one sided affairs of the last few years. It makes the comp make more interesting and enjoyable to watch.

 

[DELETE ACCOUNT]

Upsets I see