Club Rugby finals’ captains reveal players to watch, most dangerous rivals and 2022 big improvers
Club rugby semi-finals: Captains across Premier, Women’s and Colts teams reveal their finals players to watch, most dangerous rivals and most surprising of season 2022.
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Club rugby intensifies this weekend, with sudden death semi-finals across Premier, Women’s, Colts and grade competitions.
There are plenty of Super Rugby, Wallaroos and Wallabies stars back in club colours to make it extra exciting.
So who will be the semi-final players to watch, most dangerous rivals and also the most surprising players of season 2022?
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We have asked the respective captains and representatives of the Colts 1, Women’s and Premier Grade rugby teams.
PREMIER RUGBY
Michael Richards (GPS)
Player to Watch: Chris Kuridrani. He was great last week and we’re hoping he produces again.
Most Surprising: Halfback Hudson Meyer. He came from Toowoomba last year, and he is only 19 years old. He’s played the whole year for us and he has been a real stand out.
Most dangerous opponent left to face: Brothers this week have a lot of Reds players back. Across the board there are a lot of boys to take care of. James O’Connor just to name one.
Connor Anderson (Wests)
What Anderson said: It’s nice to say we are minor premiers but the goal is to win the whole thing.
It would be amazing to step onto Suncorp and get a win.
Player to Watch: Winger Ben Navosailagi. He pretty much scores a try every game.
Most Surprising: Our lock Angelo Smith. He’s just stepped it up a level.
Most dangerous opponent left to face: Their outside backs are dangerous. Kye Oates of UQ is special. He’s going to be good.
Tom Maloney (Brothers)
Player to Watch: We are spoiled but probably flanker Jonte Connolly aside from the established Reds players. He’s an academy guy who has shown us the quality of player he is.
Most Surprising: Flanker Nick Cross. He left Colts rugby two years ago. He was in the reserves last year and worked super hard in the offseason. He does the tough stuff which is required at this time of the year.
Most dangerous opponent left to face: Michael Richards for GPS. He is quite inspirational and they’ll get a kick out of him.
Cam Flavell (UQ)
What Flavells said: We’re grateful for the opportunity to be back in finals. We are trying not to take anything for granted. We performed well the last few weeks but this week’s a whole new challenge and we have to step it up another level.
I think the boys are ready.
Standouts this year: Guys like Kalani Thomas have been fantastic. He’s young and has Super Rugby experience.
RELATED LINKS
MOST UNDERRATED, MOST INSPIRING CLUB PLAYERS REVEALED
MOST IMPROVED COLTS, WOMEN’S PLAYERS REVEALED HERE
COLTS 1
Henry Wilson (Easts)
Player to Watch: We have a pretty dynamic team. No one is playing by themselves but lock Taine Roiri has come up well this year—standing up in the big moments. In the lineout and scrum he’s super dominant. He got two tries against Bond on the weekend. And then Taj Annan in the backs.
Most Surprising: Joe Liddy. He’s stood up. He has been massive. Super consistent.
Most dangerous opponent left to face: Wests this weekend is a massive game for us. But, UQ is super dangerous.
Zac Hough (Wests)
Player to Watch: Lebron Naea. He won us the game against Souths on the weekend with 4 try assists and a try. “He runs a muck. He is a beast. We also have Dave Vaihu on the bench.”
Most Surprising: Skipper Alec Robinson. “It’s his last year in Colts and he’s been outstanding. Consistently good, always there, always at training, always good energy. On game day he shows up.
Most dangerous opponent left to face: The Queensland Reds boys Taj Annan and Jared Homan. They are going to be good. Against Lebron, it will be a fun match up.
Tom Manca (UQ)
Player to Watch: Ben McMahon at fullback. A lot of our attack comes from him. When we are down, he provides that spark that we need.
Most Surprising: Fergus Nasser. I don’t think I have seen someone with a better work ethic. As a halfback, he’s always the first one there.
Most dangerous opponent left to face: Harry Grant, the Brothers fly half. He’s their ball player and has a good running game. A lot of their attack is run from what he is thinking.
Hamish Muller (Brothers)
What Muller said: We have to play our structures and stick to our game. We did in the first nine rounds and it showed in the results.
Player to Watch: Tim Ryan. On the wing he’s always a threat.
Most Surprising: Centre Hunter Lim who has been exceptional and flanker Leo Mccarthy.
Most dangerous opponent left to face: UQ flyhalf Tom Lynagh. It goes without saying.
WOMEN
Elisha Godsiff (Bond)
Player to Watch: We have Mel Wilks back from the Wallaroos. She’s always a gun. And our young flyhalf Ava Wereta. She’ll be putting on a show.
Most Surprising: No.8 Zoe Hanna. She has just come leaps and bounds since the start of the season. She’s been working so hard at training, putting in the extras. She’s been putting in huge efforts and it’s showing.
Most dangerous opponent left to face: Ivania Wong on the wing. She’s dangerous over the ball and in space. With her speed and strength she’s definitely one we have to watch out for.
Alicia Heller (Easts)
Player to Watch: Flanker Felicity Powdrell. She’s playing halfback this week and I reckon she’ll do a really good job. She can play all round, so she’ll change it up a bit.
Most Surprising: Malaela Su’a. A young star with a bright future.
Most dangerous opponent left to face: Speedy GPS winger Helina Young.
Ivania Wong (Sunnybank)
Player to Watch: Cecelia Smith and Renae Nona.
Most Surprising: —
Most dangerous opponent left to face: Wallaroos teammate Mel Wilks. It’s gonna be fun.
Marlugu Dixon (GPS)
What the Skipper said: There’s some rivalry with Easts. It should be a tough game on Saturday but we are up for the fight. They have a strong forward pack, we just need to weather the storm early.
Player to Watch: Adi Unaisi Biau. An absolute star. Emily Byrne and Helena Young.
Most Surprising: Halfback Sarah Lewis. I didn’t get to play with her last year but this year she has been fantastic.
Most dangerous opponent left to face: We have had some close ones against Easts already so we know it is going to be a good battle.
There’s plenty of players across the board that will be a handful to deal with.
StoreLocal Hospital Challenge Cup Semi-Finals:
Major Semi-Final – GPS Rugby Club
Wests vs University of Queensland, Saturday 4 September, 3:10pm
Minor Semi-Final – Wests Rugby Club
Brothers vs GPS, Sunday 5 September, 3:05pm
Queensland Premier Rugby Womens:
Major Semi-Final – GPS Rugby Club
GPS vs Easts, Saturday 4 September, 5:00pm
Minor Semi-Final – Wests Rugby Club
Sunnybank v Bond University, Sunday 5 September, 10:30am
Queensland Premier Rugby Colts:
Major Semi-Final – GPS Rugby Club
Brothers vs University of Queensland, Saturday 4 September, 12:00pm
Minor Semi-Final – Wests Rugby Club
Easts vs Wests, Sunday 5 September, 12:00pm
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