University sees yellow as GPS end jinx to reach Premier Rugby grand final

A shoulder charge call on University fullback Jamie-Jerry Taulagi transformed the preliminary final as GPS won through to their first decider since 1996.

Semiti Tela

A CONTENTIOUS shoulder charge call on University fullback Jamie-Jerry Taulagi transformed Sunday's preliminary final when GPS capitalised emphatically to win through to their first Premier Rugby grand final since 1996.

Jeeps' impressive 49-32 victory at Ballymore propelled the club into Sunday's decider against Easts after the momentum of yesterday's match U-turned with the sinbinning of Taulagi three minutes before half-time.

Uni led 18-12 at the time, with the energy of two quick tries, when new Reds signing Taulagi arrived in cover defence to bump standout GPS fullback Semiti Tela into touch.

The Uni fans in the McLean Stand roared the try-saver but NSW referee Angus Gardner turned their tone to groans when he yellow carded Taulagi.

It was never a brutal shot with a cocked shoulder NRL-style. It was more a body jolt with no full wrap of arms but Taulagi paid the price.

"My arms bounced apart when we hit. Ref's call...you can't change it," Taulagi said.

"It's disappointing because we let the change of momentum get to us."

Uni coach Mick Heenan accepted it was a "50-50 call on a tackle that wasn't dangerous" because his frustration was greater with a high error count when his side coudn't rally.

Just a minute after the sinbinning, GPS No.8 Mitch King plunged over for a 19-18 half-time reversal. GPS had put on a match-turning 14-0 surge with Uni down to 14 men for 10 minutes when Tela crossed just after half-time.

Winger Chris Kuridrani's looping inside pass to eye-catcher Samo Kerevi was knocked out of the centre's hands and Tela swooped on the bouncing ball to finish off an all-Fijian flourish.

Playing former Western Force lock Pat O'Connor was a masterstroke because his size and class made up for limited match time this year.

Flanker Mark Donaldson came on for the final 17 minutes to celebrate his 200th club game in style.

"Awesome. We'll enjoy this week because it's 17 years years since the club made the grand final but we know the job is not done yet," GPS halfback Nick Frisby said.

The Queensland Rugby Union has made some rubbish calls regarding club rugby over the years and there is another with no insistence that Western Force-bound Reds winger Luke Morahan stay around for the club preliminary final. He was on holidays yesterday.

It adds to the QRU's ridiculous stance to exclude Melbourne Rebels back Bryce Hegarty from a role with GPS because he did not have a significant enough history with the club.

When there is so much crying about Super Rugby players not playing for clubs, it is impossible to fathom how a player who wants to could be excluded.