Complacency is biggest concern
CAN University be beaten?
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CAN University be beaten?
That was the big question after the Barbarians cruised to a 38-12 victory over Caloundra RSL Premiership title-contender Maroochydore yesterday.
University never looked like losing, its 23-0 lead at half-time giving coach John Rangihuna the luxury of resting key players in the second half.
Barbarians outside centre John Stocker, who has been in fantastic form this year, believes complacency is his team’s biggest worry.
“We can get beaten if we become complacent,” he said. “But Hoons (Rangihuna) keeps us in check and the boys are pretty level-headed. It’s good at the moment.
“The coach is pretty hard on us to finish each team off. We’re enjoying it for the moment.
“We’re working well as a team. There’s not many individuals.”
Alex Millington opened the scoring with a penalty before Stocker and Ben Meredith crossed to give the Barbarians a 15-0 lead.
Maroochydore attempted to cut the deficit with a penalty goal but the shot sailed wide and Millington scored his own three-pointer shortly after to make it 18-0.
On the stroke of half-time, Millington scored to take his tally to 13 points.
He kicked another penalty early in the second half to make it 26-0 before the Swans scored their first points through a Pat O’Hehir try.
University flyhalf Andrew Scotland pounced on a loose ball to put the result beyond doubt before Sam McCulloch scored the Swans’ second try of the afternoon.
Barbarians reserve Jackson Frawley finished off a length-of-the-field movement to make it 38-12 and give University its 16th straight win of the season.
The Barbarians face Caloundra next weekend and Stocker said he was not expecting to win by 101 points again, like the last time the two met.
“They were missing a few boys,” he said. “I think they’ve got 10 regulars back now, so it’ll be different and a good challenge for us.”
Originally published as Complacency is biggest concern
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