GPS Rugby 2019: Gregory Terrace plot historic upset over arch-rivals Nudgee

Round 3 will see GPS Rugby’s biggest rivals go toe-to-toe with a winless Terrace outfit fighting to save their season on Nudgee’s home patch. Read Lachie Grey’s report here.

Coaching St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace 1st XV comes with a certain expectation, especially when a former Super Rugby boss is overseeing the sports program.

So Ryan Schultz isn’t making excuses for his side’s winless start in GPS Rugby.

In fact, he’s already plotting an upset for the ages.

The first-year coach has endured successive home losses to Toowoomba Grammar and Brisbane Boys College and faces one of school rugby’s toughest assignments on Saturday when his side travel to Nudgee for a Round 3 blockbuster.

Reesjan Pasitoa in action for Nudgee College. Picture: Mark Cranitch

It’s far from the fast-start expected of Terrace under Melbourne Rebels coach-turned-director of sport Tony McGahan but Schultz says the past fortnight’s lessons have his side poised to challenge the reigning premiers in their annual grudge match.

“The reality is that (our first game) was really disappointing loss,” Schultz said.

“It was a game we were probably expected to win and could’ve won, but we let ourselves down in key moments and credit to Toowoomba, they played really well.

“So to see us be pretty competitive against a premiership favourite like BBC last week was great and the boys are taking plenty of confidence out of that.”

Jack Howarth, pictured playing for Queensalnd, was dominant for BBC against Terrace. Picture: Adam Head

The difference between starting their season 2-0 and 0-2 has been marginal for Terrace – only the dancing feet of Toowoomba fly half Baxter Franey denied them a momentum building win in Round 1 while last week’s 32-17 loss to BBC saw Terrace well and truly in the contest before star centres Jack Howarth and Lukas Ripley shifted gears after halftime.

The impact of key individuals hasn’t been lost on Schultz and Terrace will be on red alert for the likes of Reesjan Pasitoa and Trezman Banjo in Nudgee’s star-studded backline.

“We definitely need to be better at minimising and shutting down the opportunities of strike players,” Schultz said.

Nick Aitken, Glen Vaihu, Conor Tweedy, Jack Ruddy and Luke Benedetti from Gregory Terrace. Picture: Tara Croser

“Last week the difference was Howarth and Ripley and we know Nudgee has a lot of threats as well, so we know we have to be better for longer and use some of the confidence gained from that game to shut their key man down.”

Terrace aren’t lacking in firepower either with brothers Glen and David Vaihu adding plenty of sizzle to a dangerous backline but the red and black pack will need to dig deep and build on last week’s efforts up if they’re to challenge the defending champions at the ruck and set piece.

Nudgee haven’t lost to their arch rivals since 2016 and will enter the contest as firm favourites after smashing Brisbane State High 62-21 at Suncorp Stadium last week, though it would take a brave punter to write off Terrace completely.

“We’ve made improvements already this season and I think we were able to do a little more with our possessions, hold the ball and test BBC around the park,” Schultz said.

“It’s going to be a huge opportunity for us playing Nudgee away and we’re really looking forwards to it.”