Club rugby: Meet the players you don’t want to be tackled by
Club rugby: We name 30 defensive nightmares who you’d least like to be tackled by in the colts 1 and premier women’s competitions this season.
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Meet the defensive nightmares influencing the premier women’s and colts 1 club rugby competitions.
Brothers (42) led Souths (41), Easts (36), UQ (26), Wests (25) Bond Uni (23), GPS (17), Norths (12) and Sunnybank (6).
In the women’s competition, Sunnybank (49) were setting the pace, behind them Bond Uni (40), UQ (35), Souths (24), GPS (23) Easts (21), Wests (21), Brothers (5) and Norths (-4).
Here we name the player’s who it is in your best interest not to run at – the players in opposed training sessions you shy away from.
This story follows last week’s revelation about the competition’s x-factor players. Next week will be the speed demons.
ROUND 11 COLTS 1 RESULTS
Easts 26 beat Bond University 22
Brothers 53 beat Sunnybank 0
Wests 31 beat Norths 12
Souths 34 beat University 7
ROUND 11 PREMIER WOMEN RESULTS
Easts 11 beat Bond Uni 10
Sunnybank 91 beat Brothers 5
University 24 beat Souths 0
Wests 28 beat Norths 0
PLAYERS YOU’D LEAST LIKE TO BE TACKLED BY
COLTS 1
Jack Condon (Brothers)
Back for his second year of Colts 1, Condon is bigger, stronger and better than before.
The Marist Ashgrove product is a dynamic flanker who flattens his opponents when he’s not contesting the breakdown.
Dre Pakeho and Charlie Brosnan (Brothers)
Both Australian Schoolboys selects in 2022, centre Pakeho and backrower Brosnan are defensive brutes.
Pakeho comes from a league background where he made a living with not only his side step but his unforgiving contact, while big bopper Brosnan made Year 12s look like children in the GPS competition last year.
Kevin Nelson (Sunnybank)
Nicknamed “Big Kev”, this wrecking ball has come from the sporting rich region of Cairns.
Coach Brendan Underwood said no one would know Kevin except the guys who have played him this year.
“Not the biggest flanker but rips in like a bull terrier and just competes.”
The Chris Roche, Darren Gaffney, Tu Tamarua, Owen Henry model flanker.
Tanasio Winikerei (Easts)
The Tigers biggest hitter, Winikerei is like Hunter Paisami the way he lines up his prey and pounces.
A winger, Winikerei has sublime timing coming in off his wing to make strong contact.
Dimitrius Williams (Bond University)
When Bond needs a lift they know who to turn to. It’s their main man Williams who hits as hard as anyone, bringing the physicality from the No. 8 or lock position.
Uhila Senituli (Souths)
Senituli is dangerous and will be a welcomed addition to the Souths side when he returns to full fitness.
Having done an ACL in pre-season last year, Senituli was told to take it easy at his return to training as the No. 1 priority is fielding a team.
He’s the player you don’t want to come up against in an opposed session.
Trey Soli (Wesst)
Soli had been leading the way in his physicality on defence and with his ball carrying in attack.
Coach Roscoe Deacon recently moved him into the middle to carry through the tough traffic and he has excelled.
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Matthias Maugatai (GPS)
Maugatai is a big boy and he doesn’t give in easily on the defensive end.
If he’s not involved in the collision you will find him at the breakdown winning the ball.
Ben Neilson (GPS)
The Brisbane State High old boy is enjoying his third year of Colts footy and on the wing is where he lurks with a hunger for contact.
He’s got that mongrel about him and that’s evident when his opponents get barged into touch when they opt to attack his edge.
Will Rogers (Norths)
Rogers was one of the leading try scorers in the GPS competition last year with rolling maul dominance earning him meat pies in almost every outing.
In his first year of Colts 1, the young hooker has been a bruising defender with “great niggling chat,” according to assistant coach Tom Donnell.
Harrison Swane (University)
The big third year prop who you’d never believe busted his shoulder last season because of the shots he is putting on this year.
“Has a great ability to be physically dominant in the tight channels but also has the work rate and nous to put himself in the position to put the faster blokes out wide in their place as well,” praised coach Matt Ingram.
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PREMIER WOMEN
Christina Sekona (Sunnybank)
It was easy as could be for coach Sione Helu to pick Sekona.
A former Wallaroos player, Sekona is just as physical in training as she is on game day.
Adi Lisikoveni Dreu (Easts)
It’s in your best interests to keep away from this No. 8 in the tackle zone.
Sister to first grade fullback Meli, Adi can and will flatten whoever runs her way.
Shelly Fox (Bond Uni)
Fox is old school but she is a prop battering ram.
Tough as teak, Fox was a match-saver in last year’s final against Easts at Suncorp stadium.
She pushed from the middle of the field to make a try saving tackle on Easts’ winger and if she did not make that then Easts would have won the game.
Feeds off momentum.
Grace Sullivan (Brothers)
A backrower or lock, Sullivan says front on or side on – take your pick on how you want to be brought to the ground with no questions asked.
Eva Karpani (Bond Uni)
The Wallaroos prop joined Bond just two weeks ago and she brings a bit of everything to an already strong side.
A winning vibe having beaten Fiji 22-5 last month, strong running and hard tackling just to name a few.
She leaves defenders in her wake when running and willing attackers on their back when defending.
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Mary Tuaana (Souths)
Not unlike Ashley Marsters from the Melbourne Rebels, captain Tuaana flatlines her prey and leaves them stunned.
A hooker who can also play in the back row, Tuaana wouldn’t look out of place in a Super W program.
Running in her direction only ends one way.
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Anna Nasalo (GPS)
Nasolo possesses the best tackling technique in the GPS team, while having a V8 engine and an unrivalled work ethic.
Brave to the core, Nasolo is an inspiration to her teammates as she is able to turn the tide of momentum with her defensive efforts.
Her mix of power and precision makes her someone you don’t take front on as she will leave you with one question and that’s why did I do that.
Rebekah Pulea (Norths)
Her intensity just does not understand 50 per cent.
Technically devastating.
Originally published as Club rugby: Meet the players you don’t want to be tackled by
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