Bond University look to peg back Souths in battle for Premier Rugby finals spots

A TOP four spot will be at stake when Souths travel down the highway to take on Bond University in Round 15 of Premier Rugby.

Isireli Naisarani runs the ball for Souths, who will look to bounce back against Bond University after they were felled by Brothers last week. Picture: JOHN GASS

DEFENDING champions Souths will put their top four spot on the line when they travel down the M1 to take on Bond University on Saturday.

The Magpies have been locked in the top three throughout the 2016 season, but three losses from their last four games has dropped them to fourth.

While Souths have the bye in hand over Bond, a loss this weekend would see university leapfrog Brett Picone’s side into the last finals position.

Elsewhere, University of Queensland could take another step towards the minor premiership when they take on Norths, while Sunnybank will look to consolidate their top four spot when they host Easts and Wests clash with GPS in a westside derby.

BOND UNIVERSITY v SOUTHS, 3.20pm Saturday at Bond University

THE Souths Magpies will look to keep their hopes of a top two finish alive as they try and break a two-game losing streak at the Gold Coast against Bond University on Saturday.

Souths were sitting pretty in the top two behind the University of Queensland but back-to-back losses to GPS and Brothers has them in danger of falling out of the top four.

The defending premiers’ coach Brett Picone has stressed the importance of earning a spot in the top two all year to gain a second chance in the finals but said his team needed to improve quickly for that goal to be possible.

But it will not be easy against a Bond University side, buoyed by a one-point victory over GPS in the last round.

Last time they met: Souths 57 defeated Bond University 30 on April 23 at Chipsy Wood Oval

NORTHS v UNIVERSITY of QUEENSLAND, 3.20pm Saturday at Hugh Courtney Oval

UNIVERSITY of Queensland will look to claim the minor premiership when they take on Norths.

The Red Heavies currently sit 11 points clear of Brothers with only three rounds remaining courtesy of a winning streak that has them unbeaten since Round 1.

A bonus-point victory would take the Students to 16 points clear and end Brothers’ chances of finishing top of the table.

Norths started the season well, sitting inside the top four after four rounds, but slumped to six consecutive defeats.

However, they have showed signs of life in recent weeks with back-to-back victories over Wests and Easts.

They competed strongly against UQ last time out before the Red Heavies ran away with the game in the last 20 minutes.

Last time they met: University of Queensland 61 defeated Norths 19 on April 23 at University of Queensland

SUNNYBANK v EASTS, 3.20pm Saturday at Oldmac Oval

LAST year’s minor premiers, the Easts Tigers will travel to Oldmac Oval with confidence after pushing league-leaders the University of Queensland for 80 minutes last week.

The Tigers fell just short of one of the upsets of the season against Uni, finishing with a 28-27 loss with the team failing to capitalise on opportunities down the stretch — something that has been a problem for the team all year.

They will come up against a Sunnybank team that appeared to bounce back into form with a 52-7 win over Wests last weekend.

The Dragons have lost four of their past six games and have a golden opportunity to score a second consecutive victory when they face the Tigers.

However, they lose Queensland Reds squad members Junior Laloifi and Jake McIntyre from the side that defeated the Bulldogs last week, with neither named to line up this week.

Sunnybank are just four points ahead of fifth-placed Bond University and will need a win to ensure they are not at risk of being mowed down by either Bond or Souths.

Last time they met: Sunnybank 24 defeated Easts 15 on April 23 at Bottomley Park

WESTS v GPS, 3.20pm Saturday at Kenmore Rugby Union Club

BRAGGING rights will be on the line when Wests host GPS at Kenmore Rugby Union Club.

The two sides are in vastly different situations with only four rounds of the regular season remaining but both sides have every reason to fight for victory.

The Bulldogs are currently holding up the rest of the table as they sit three points behind Easts at the bottom of the table as they chase their first win since a 27-10 victory over Easts in Round 2.

Jeeps, meanwhile, are still in the finals race as they trail Souths by five points for the last finals berth.

GPS come off a loss to Bond University last week but have shown their best is good enough to beet anyone this season, as wins over Brothers, Souths and Sunnybank attest to.

Last time they met: GPS 49 defeated Wests 20 on April 23 at Yoku Road