SX I think QRU stipulations are that Kiwis or migrants would need to have lived and played rugby here for the past 3 years to be considered eligible for selection for Qld Country sides. As in the past they have selected players who have only played premier or local sub district club rugby for a season before buggering offA flaw to your preference is how do you select immigrants such as Kiwis who migrate to Australia and end up playing Premier Rugby.
You'd be leaving a lot of good talent out of the match.
Normally the last trial is when you see close to a the best XV. So this should be a good indicator.
There aren't any real Souths supporters on this forum, I am interested to know if they will continue to improve on the back of last year or whether they will stagnate or drop back? Did they keep that lightning quick winger?
Heavies top squad will be in Sydney for the Australian Club Championship unfortunately.... I always enjoy a Heavies v. Filth game day.We've got the Heavies at Home. Should be a good contest.
Dragons are playing GPS out at Albany Creek. I hope some of the Sunnybank boys take a packed lunch and a lantern as it's quite a trek.
I have terrible memories of playing there. Snapped both bones in my right forearm and then was driven to hospital in an old beat out volvo, took almost and hour. Was the opening of the ground back in the mid 90's.Played a trial against GPS a few years ago there. It was fantastic. The junior club's organisation was second to none, the canteen flow was very quick, the cans of coke were icy cold, great selection of chocolates & lollies, the burgers were incredible, and the dressing sheds & toilets were immaculate.
As well as that, the committee members who were manning the canteen & BBQ for the day were so helpful and friendly from the very first game of the day to the very last. Outstanding.
That day rates up there with my favourite rugby memories. Well, off-field anyway. I think I was so impressed with how everything was run off-field that I blocked out the on-field stuff that day.
Depth is really good this year at the Kennel happy jack.
So much so that I will go out on a limb here & say Reggies bulldogs will have just as much of a chance if making Semis then the Premier lads do.
There's some new faces in reserve grade & a few premier grade stalwarts of the last few years having filtering down because of a lot of cream at the top.
Maybe I'm a narrow minded rosé shaded glasses doggy supporter but gone are the days when the Dogs were walkovers.
What's the bet that now that we have all written off Brothers as a contender, they turn around and win the thing and we have to listen to the Filth brag about it for the next 10 years.It will be a very open Premier Rugby competition this year.
There are a number of factors that will influence this including the completion finishing 3 weeks earlier which will limit the involvement of Super XV players. Additionally the U20 schedule this year precludes players from being involved until July. IRB 7s RWC does the same until August (including active rest).
Most clubs have had disrupted per-seasons due to weather and further player unavailability due to expanded Reds College and ARU Academy schedules.
On the individual club fronts both GPS and Easts seem to be no worse on paper and should be in the top 5 of the comp. Likewise Uni. All e clubs have maintained (and expanded) coaching and playing rosters.
Souths have already lost Dan McKellar to Japan which will be a big hit in replacing Ken Wills.
Brothers are coming to the end of a generation of players that have served them well for 6 years. Their lack of success and depth in Colts over this period will start to hurt them.
Both Coasts are in the process of recovering financially and restructuring so it would unrealistic for them to challenge.
Wests could be in with a chance although depth could be an issue. They have already lost Linde.
Uni, GPS and Easts with Sunnybank and Wests to fight it out for 4th.
The Hustlers are a gay friendly team.* Easts have a new niche team (like the Longhorns) called the Brisbane Hustlers (club culture musn't be too good if the Longhorns & Hustlers don't wanna be officially known with the tigers ) The Hustlers can be found playing in the Scottney Cup.