Oh brother, you owe me big time

THE “Toutai Kefu effect” has yielded dividends again, with former Wallaby Steve Kefu set to make a stunning debut for the Sunshine Coast Stingrays this weekend.

THE “Toutai Kefu effect” has yielded dividends again, with former Wallaby Steve Kefu set to make a stunning debut for the Sunshine Coast Stingrays this weekend.

The younger brother of Stingrays coach and Wallabies great Toutai, Steve will turn out for the Rays throughout June.

The 31-year-old represented Australia six times from 2001-03 and spent the past two years playing rugby in England for London Wasps.

He has signed with Bay of Plenty for the upcoming National Provincial Championship in New Zealand. His commitments across the ditch begin in late June and he hopes to play three Premier Rugby matches for the Rays.

“When I was in London, I rang my brother and had a chat to him and he said I needed to stay fit for a few weeks,” Steve said.

“I decided to come down and play for his team. He said he was short on backs.

“He owes me a lot after this, especially fuel money.”

The Stingrays are confident Steve will be granted a release from Wasps in time for Sunday's match against defending premier University, which beat Sunshine Coast in last year's grand final.

He said he was hoping to gain match fitness as well as add some class to the Stingrays backline.

“I really want to test myself, with my fitness especially,” he said.

“Match fitness is a big thing. You can do all the training you want but when it comes to games, it's different. I'd rather play matches than just train.

“It's been a long season over in London. We played 32 games in the season and didn't really get a rest.

“I've had a couple of months off now, so I just want to play games leading up to the NPC.”

Steve was at the Queensland Reds for eight seasons, playing alongside Stingrays flyhalf Shane Drahm.

“I've just got to tell Drahmy what to do and he has to listen,” he joked.

“I spoke to Drahmy because we played together for a while. So it's good to have a run with him.”

SUNSHINE Coast Rugby Union has postponed a meeting to discuss its future.

The board was scheduled to meet this week but decided instead it would invite association members to sit at the meeting.

The meeting will be held in a fortnight.

Originally published as Oh brother, you owe me big time