FNQ Rugby: Cairns Brothers find a way forward
Brothers could have the pieces to form a strong forward pack for the rest of the FNQ Rugby A-grade season. The’re yet to win a game, but looked their best in an 11-point loss last week.
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Brothers could have the pieces to form a strong forward pack for the rest of the FNQ Rugby A-grade season.
The Brethren are yet to win a game so far, but looked their best in an 11-point loss to Barron Trinity Bulls last week.
It was on the back of some strong forwards play that they were able to cross for their four tries, their best single-game return since they agonisingly missed the finals last season.
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While the side’s cast of regular starters produced another consistent performance, Jody Healey and Avimeleki Raivaroro caught the eye in the beaten side.
Healey has a background in rugby league, playing alongside former Northern Pride captain and club legend Ryan Ghietti and Innisfail stalwart Robert Haren in a Cairns under-19s team in 2007.
Raivaroro has previously played rugby at Brothers, but spent the past few years in rugby league with the Northern Pride.
He is a former junior representative player, and was also part of the FNQ Thunder 2nd XV who faced ACT Premier side Wests earlier this year.
Both men found themselves back in the butcher’s stripes for their first run of the season, but whether or not that will extend into another week is yet to be seen according to scrumhalf and club president Patrick Williams.
“Jody played for us a few years ago … he came down for a run to see if he could come back for the season,” he said.
“He was a great player for us a few years ago, his background is in rugby league but he came across.
“Avi is another guy who has come back after a few years out of rugby. He came off the bench and adds some more experience in those closing few minutes of the game.”
Williams is hopeful both men will stick with the Brethren for the rest of the season, as they improve with each week.
Brothers started the year struggling for personnel but are building a squad who simply want to enjoy playing the 15-man code.
Numbers have grown, and so too has their confidence, and that’s been apparent when they’ve taken the field.
This weekend’s clash with defending premier JCU Mariners (starting at 4pm) could be poor timing, but Williams said they would not back down when they travel to James Cook University on Saturday afternoon.
“They’re a good side, they’re very well-trained and they’ve had a good side for the past few years,’’ Williams said.
“It won’t be easy for us but we’re not afraid to go out there.
“We were really happy with the majority of the game against Barron last week, we had some really good forward play, the backs were good and so were the set pieces.
“A lot of our emphasis this year has been on playing rugby and having fun with it, and it’s great to see past players and supporters get behind us.”
Originally published as FNQ Rugby: Cairns Brothers find a way forward