‘Challenge our depth’: Bulls ready to charge down reigning Knights in round 5, GCDRU
Top-of-table stakes aren’t all that’s on the line this week in GCDRU’s Phil Temperton Cup (1st grade), with seventh and eighth clawing at a chance to escape the illustrious wooden spoon early. Full story and casualty ward inside:
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Top-of-table stakes aren’t all that’s on the line this week in GCDRU’s Phil Temperton Cup (1st grade), with seventh and eighth clawing at a chance to escape the illustrious wooden spoon early.
Ladder-leaders, the Knights look to knock back a charging Bulls side who are fresh off the back of a 22-point win over Bond in round 4.
Meanwhile, the winless PBC will face a determined Coomera who last week lost to Surfers 35-0.
Will the Bulls take down the reigning premiers? Can PBC claim their first win since returning to first grade?
The games
Colleges Knights v Nerang Bulls
A charging Bulls line-up knows all too well the task ahead of them, facing the almighty Knights in a prelim final rematch.
But head coach Te Ari Mahuri isn’t letting the pressure take over.
“Yes it’s knights, yes they’re the current champs but it’s a great opportunity for us to play the champs at their home field on what’s going to be a great game,” he said.
“Especially playing for the Pat Brown Cup, we’re definitely looking forward to this battle.
“The mentality is if we wanna be the best, we have to beat the best.”
Mahuri said the result will go their way if the focus is kept internally.
“We just focus on ourselves, try to get better, and then the result will come.
“Yes it’s a big game but we’ve just gotta keep building.”
The side have no major injuries rattling their ranks and will prepare like any other week
“It’s just another day for a bit of park footy,” Mahuri said.
“What we do want is the Pat Brown Cup brought back to where it belongs.”
Knights head coach Shuna Cole will bring a number of 2nd grade players into the mix to manage low numbers, with some of starting roster injured and others simply unavailable for the clash.
He said despite the change, the game will still be a thriller
“This week is going to really challenge our depth.
“It’s a squad effort to win competitions and you never finish the season with the same team you start with in round 1,” Cole said.
“Nerang have a lot of talent, we know that.
“We will be ready to work hard for one another against them and if we can play to our strengths and be extremely disciplined, we will give ourselves a really good shot.”
Casualty ward:
Jordan Maher (Knights) – Concussion, 2 weeks
Jason Beeton (Knights) – Ankle, 1 week
Doryann Hape Apiata (Knights) – Knee, 2 weeks
Helensvale Hogs v Surfers Paradise Dolphins
The Hogs’ undefeated streak was broken at the weekend by the hands of the Knights, who succeeded 35-29 on Helensvale soil.
But there’s no rest time as they prepare to face an eager Dolphins side sitting two spots higher.
The only comparison of the pair are their results against the Bond Pirates and Coomera Crushers.
Surfers look slightly better off in offence, winning against both 35-26 and 35-0 respectively while Helensvale boasted the better defensive line with 18-8 and 27-8 victories.
Casualty ward:
Xavier McEldowney (Hogs) – Hamstring tear, 2 weeks
Coomera Crushers v PBC Alleygators
Coomera (seventh) and PBC (eighth) will go head-to-head this weekend for a bottom-of-table clash.
In their return to 1st grade, the Alleygators are yet to score a try this season and have so far clocked up one penalty conversion per game.
“We have a few older players showing the way with consistency and handling the pressure put on us by the bigger teams,” Rugby Coordinator Ryan Roberts said.
For him, the long term goals are just as important and the 2024 goals.
“We want to reward our players that are consistent on and off the field … to be competitive this year across the grades and turn that into success over the next 3-5 years.”
The sides met in pre-season and have a healthy rivalry
“It’ll be a game that both clubs will want to get their hands on and dig in for the win.”
Casualty ward:
Nothing major to report.
“Our players are adjusting to that physicality shown by those well-established senior clubs,” Roberts said.
“Massive learnings for our younger players in how to prepare to play Rugby at this level and build themselves up to handle the wear and tear of competitive Rugby on the Gold Coast.”
Gold Coast Eagles v Bond Pirates
The Eagles have spread their wings in 2024.
As wooden spooners last year, the side have made drastic improvements and find themselves in the top four after round 4.
They will get the chance to put on another four points this weekend against the Pirates who are currently manning sixth spot.
Neither side have versed the same team, meaning anything could happen and we won’t know until the final siren sounds.
Casualty ward:
Nothing to report
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Originally published as ‘Challenge our depth’: Bulls ready to charge down reigning Knights in round 5, GCDRU
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