QLD Premier Rugby 2015

[TrainerGB]

We had a very slow start. A few errors and before we know it, we were behind on the board. But that's what good sides will do to you.

I thought we did ok to stay in it to be honest, as in the past, we would have let the score blow out in the last 15mins etc.

Tigers set piece was solid and the scrum was strong until they started making subs in the 2nd half. They won a Penalty Try early in the game through some good relentless scrum pressure.
The Tigers did go through 3 loose head props during the game I think??

Some decisions around scrum penalties were confusing. When the Eagles were hard on defence, 5m out, the Tigers loosehead drops his elbow, right in front of the ref, collapses the scrum and the Tigers get the penalty.
Tigers call for another scrum, EXACT same thing happens and the ref blows another penalty... to the Eagles this time??? Really confusing!! That prop got replaced not long after that. (not sure if it was injury related?)

Tigers #12 was solid lump, strong on his feet, but was well contained by our #12 who ended up getting P.O.D from the Tigers.
#13 and #15 had good games for the Tigers but I think there's a bit of spark lacking in #10, #11 and #14 positions at this stage for the Tigers.

#9 was his usual solid self. Class.

#2 played well and the height in the row certainly helped around lineout time.

Lacked some punch at #8 though with Power there, but I think that played to the Tigers advantage as they pretty much had 2 open sides getting around the park in the early stages of the game, putting pressure on the ref at the tackled ball situations.

If we held on to the pill a couple of times in open spaces, we may have won... but who knows.

You can win OR you can lose OR you can learn.

I think we learnt a bit about ourselves on Saturday and will be better for it.

We will prepare well for a big game against the Students at the Nest this Saturday.

 

[TheBigDog]

Sunnybank 28 Souths 19. Not made easy for Souths with Murday taken to Reds squad about an hour and half before kick off and Jake Milne injured in early minutes. 12 nil tco Souths in second half.

Probably the last Souths will get from Milne this year if his injury form stays true. The bloke is a talent but I reckon has been injured 80% of the time since he left high school.

 

[FilthRugby]

Bond did well to get within 3 points of University. Bond won reserve grade.

Logan got belted in 1st and 2nd grade and had to forfeit 3rd grade? It's really disappointing to hear considering how well they did last year.

 

[TheBigDog]

It looks like Logan also forfeited their only Colts game which is a shame. Whats happening over there? I heard a while back that Sunnybank was making a big push at the end of last year to get a few more Logan players but not sure if that has played a part.

 

[warhorse]

I was a keen observer down at shaw road to watch some ex gps mates at norths. Firstly, was great to see 3 Satui brothers take the field together in Premier Grade, I'd say its been a while since 3 brothers played together in prems (maybe Fairbanks boys at Easts, going right back).

Easts started very strongly as Norths just seemed to be a bit shell shocked early on. Once Norths woke up, they competed really well, although they lacked a bit of direction around the park; a lot of one out tap and go moves that resulted in a lot of turnovers. Easts set piece continues to be a feature for them and showed with a solid scrum performance, however Norths appeared to have the upper hand at scrum time when the replacements came on and there was a lot of argy bargy in the front row when this happened, which was great to see.

Bit more direction and better starts to the game and Norths will cause more than a few upsets this season. I'm tipping souths to be underperformers this year unless they see a lot of robinson and murday.

Souths performed very well in the second half against Sunnybank, winning the half 12-0, however with a number of players out due to sevens commitments in Sydney (Sunnybank had players out as well) they let the Bank get away to an insurmountable lead in the first half. Murday was taken by the Reds just an hour or so before kick-off which certainly didn't help either. There were good and bad signs but combinations will develop and I believe it is far too early to be writing off the Magpies.

 

[TrainerGB]

That is a massive shame if Logan are unable to field teams currently.
I assume they still have ambitions to be a QPR club??
I wonder if it is due to the increase in fees, as we are also feeling it at Norths.

On that point, sort of, if Bond have a crap load of money to throw at their rugby program, why should they not be required to then somehow source and provide 1st grade &/or 2nd grade teams for the QPR comp?

Imagine what some of the other clubs could do with their resources if they only had to worry about Prem grade teams? (Prems, Res & Colts)

Granted they do have a Colts 1 side, which is great, but is there a timeline for them to be able to field these other teams?

Actually, in my uneducated point, I've realised I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Does anyone know what the requirement is to be a QPR club nowadays? Team wise etc?

 

[Cat_A]

My understanding is that QPR is a separate comp to Brisbane Club footy - leaving Uni, for example, with 1st grade being actually the third team at the club (behind Premier and Premier Reserve grade). They're the highest team we have in the Brisbane Club comp.

So a QPR club needs to be able to field a team in each QPR grade: Premier, Premier Reserve, Premier Colts and Premier Colts Reserve (aka Colts 1 at Uni).

I wouldn't expect Bond to compete in Brisbane club rugby, but I'd imagine that their depth in all teams will be tested with injuries if they don't have the equivalent of 'first grade' and 'colts 2' that they can draw on as the season progresses. I don't know if the club is also fielding teams in the Gold Coast comp like the rest of the QPR clubs field teams in the Brisbane comp.

 

[TrainerGB]

Ahhh interesting.

I don't think Colts 1 is classed as Premier Colts Reserve is it?

On the QRU website and the Rugbylink thing it's only:
Premier
Premier Reserve
Premier Colts

The rest is called "Brisbane Premiership" etc.

Will help the CV's for a few kids: "Yeah I played 1st grade in the Brisbane Premiership" (sheez even this old kid!! haha)

Then, of course, there's Brisbane Suburban.

So essentially a Premier club does not have to field a team in the 'Brisbane Premiership', to remain a Premier club?? Is that what the shape of it is now?

Good point then about Bond competing in the Brisbane Premiership - no need for it.

Why don't they then start to look at combining Subbies and Grades into "divisions"?? i.e. ITM Cup, Heartland etc. (the old NPC div 1, div 2, div 3 etc)

Promotion relegation. Stand alone comps. Taking teams from "Premier" clubs to the Suburban grounds.

I reckon there'd be some surprises in results!!

 

[TheBigDog]

Whilst it a good idea TGB I think you'll find lots of clubs may be apprehensive to create different divisions and mix in with the subbies comp simply due to scheduling.

Being able to have all teams playing at the same grounds, week in week out, can be a pretty important part of building club morale and all that jazz. Once you start mixing in teams which are outside the 'core' Premier clubs then travel and game times start to play a part. As is the case with the Colts 2 competition currently.

I'm not saying the Premier club should distance themselves from subbies clubs or anything like that but I believe there are too many roadblocks currently to drastically change the current competition models.

 

[Cat_A]

Yeah, TGB, I'll correct myself - Colts 1 probably isn't a QPR requirement, but Bond likely have the Colts 1 side so that they can have further depth and recruiting power for school leavers etc. No doubt trying to recruit only one team each year would be a problem.

 

[Tigers Tale]

Tupou didn't play today. Michael Birmingham took his spot in the front row (loose head).

Gee wiz Filth - you have had to resort to poaching Tigers to boost your front row stocks.

Bermingham played a few seasons at the Tigers that were hampered by injury and work commitments.

Great character Bermo - any club would be glad to have him on their books.

 

[Red Heavy]

Bond did well to get within 3 points of University. Bond won reserve grade.

Logan got belted in 1st and 2nd grade and had to forfeit 3rd grade? It's really disappointing to hear considering how well they did last year.

I heard that Logan where effected by future music festival or some thing along those lines. Only about 20 players turned up for 2nd and 1st grade so most played 2 full games. Tough day out for them in the heat.

 

[Swansong10]

Hi all, I am new to the forums so great to be apart of the rugby fraternity... Does anybody have any information on Bond Uni Colts? I understand they have a top coaching group and some good players but had a disappointing start last weekend? Are they going to struggle this year or where the a bit flat in round 1?

 

[Lee Grant]

Wests Brothers game was fantastic yesterday, real game of two halves.

Simon has given a cracking report on this game, here - give it a read:

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/qld-premier-rugby-rd-1-wests-v-brothers/

.

 

[Tigers Tale]

Filth - has Dave Campbell retired?

If so who is the Bros skipper this year?

 

[Swansong10]

Any people riped up with news of GPS colts for this weekend? any of those big news returning?

Tuttle ?
Magnay (reds duties of course)
Sester?
the back 3? (unsure of there names)

 

[FilthRugby]

TT,

Luke Beauchamp is captaining Brothers this year. I'm unsure on Dave Campbell. I think he has hung up the boots, or perhaps is injured. Billy Thompson is Brothers scrum-half currently.

Brothers have the bye this weekend. Easts v Jeeps should be a good game.

 

[TheBigDog]

Any people riped up with news of GPS colts for this weekend? any of those big news returning?

Tuttle ?
Magnay (reds duties of course)
Sester?
the back 3? (unsure of there names)

There is a colts thread which may provide you with more info swansong, im not quite sure of those players status

How do you think souths will go this year? Traditionally they have been strong club wide but things look different this year. Maybe the Prems will come home with the goods though?

 

[Swansong10]

TBD, My first year not having any involvement in some way with the colts program at souths in nearly 10 years so I am a little bit out of it admittedly. they have recruited some new coaching staff but are struggling with numbers (not having a colts 2 side this year). Hopefully we have a big year at chipsy wood in prems ! started a little slow against the bankers last week tho.

 

[warhorse]

Souths Colts look a little undermanned this year but in grades they won 3rds, 2nds and 1sts and were more than competitive in Premier Reserves and Premier Grade against Sunnybank. There were a number of players out of the higher grades and players will filter down to lower grades and even to Premier Colts.