Wingers soar, legend battles back: Stars and key moments of Rugby League Gold Coast Round 2
There were shock upsets, narrow comebacks and a string of stirring performances across the competition. HERE ARE THE KEY TAKEAWAYS AND STAR PERFORMANCES OF RUGBY LEAGUE GOLD COAST ROUND 2.
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Matt Foster has declared there was nothing more Kurtis Rowe could be doing to force his way back into Queensland Cup contention.
His omission from the Bears top side, the Burleigh A-grade coach said, was simply a matter of who had unseated him.
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Rowe is the all-time leading try scorer for the maroon and whites in the statewide competition, his 70 four-pointers from 110 appearances cementing him in club folklore.
However the former West Tiger has spent the opening exchanges of 2022 in the Rugby League Gold Coast side, marshalling the outfit to back-to-back victories at fullback.
In his place, young gun Taine Tuaupiki has shone.
The 22-year-old has averaged 113 running metres, while scoring a try and making three try assists, in Burleigh’s unbeaten start to the QCup campaign.
It continued the rich vain of form he took out of last season, in which he was recognised as player of the match in the Bears grand final triumph over Tugun after making his semi-professional debut.
Foster said while the way in which Rowe had been playing would undoubtedly have made selection difficult for Bears head coach Rick Stone, the club legend simply had an exciting rival for the number one jumper making an impression.
“It’s Taine’s form I guess. Last year for us he played fantastic … and his pre-season was fantastic, so he got the opportunity to start the year and he’s started really well,” he said.
“What I’ve liked about Kurtis Rowe is he’s just gone ‘OK, I’ll just roll up my sleeves, I’ll play the best football I can play and then whatever presents itself is what happens’.
“He couldn’t be doing anymore for me with what he is doing to get back to QCup, and I hope he continues to do that and gets his shot.
“Certainly as a coach you don’t complain about having that kind of depth at all. The bits you don’t see with Rowey is the defensive organisation he has in making sure everyone understands where they need to be.
“Then when he gets the ball he can just make pivotal plays and turn games in your favour.”
Rowe’s commanding voice at the back of the field was on full show in the Bears grand-final rematch victory against the Seahawks, while he also laid on the opening try in their 30-22 win.
The clash also marked the return from injury of winger Conor Carey, with the veteran of 58 QCup appearances helping himself to a hat-trick in a palpable welcome to 2022 statement.
He has given an almighty job first up, forced to defend former Tonga Test winger Samui Latu.
Yet Carey rose to the comeback challenge brilliantly, limiting the carnage on the back of the Tugun star’s two-try effort the week prior.
“He was just coming back from a calf strain, but he had an injury before that as well which kept him out for a while,” Foster said.
“That was his first game back and I thought he was outstanding; really good punch on the edge there and smart choices of when to go and when not to.”
HORNETS VS EAGLES: WINGER’S COMEBACK, CHAMPIONS BATTLE
Four years in the rugby league wilderness has done little to hinder Sosefo Nasio. His two-try heroics for the Hornets proved that.
Having been brought to Helensvale by marquee recruit Sam Tagataese, convinced through continued conversations while playing touch football together, the former Norths Devils flyer ended his hiatus to help usher in a new generation for the fledgling club.
After a rusty reintroduction in round one, Nasio shone in his side’s 22-18 triumph over Currumbin Eagles on Saturday night, showcasing finesse out wide and an aerial leap that defied his stature.
“Sam brought him down, he lives up in North Lakes in northern Brisbane and hasn’t played for about four years,” Hornets assistant coach Julius Kuresa said.
“He took a risk (when he stopped playing) just for family. Obviously you get to a stage where after Mal Meninga Cup or Colts he got a job and that sort of stuff which takes priority.
“Last week probably wasn’t his best showing, but he’s a good kid, he listens and is very coachable. You give him instructions and he does it, that’s the kind of kid you want in the team.
“He’s a squat player, he’s small in stature but very stocky as your typical Pacific Islander … (and) he showed what he’s capable of.”
Helensvale were bolstered by the inclusion of three players from the Papua New Guinea Hunters system — Liam Joseph, Sherwin Tanabi and Casey Dickson all making impressions.
Those additions helped orchestrate a resounding turnaround from the Hornets side who were torn to shreds by Ormeau the week prior, eradicating the sloppy errors which cost them dearly in their opening round.
A blast from the past also erupted on the field, with NRL premiership winners Tagataese and Ben Hannant going head to head in the middle.
Kuresa said with the likes of Tagataese now in the Helensvale pack, there was renewed belief in their ranks that they could match it with the bigger engine rooms in the competition.
That mentality, he said, would be truly put to the test when they faced off against Runaway Bay this week.
“Obviously Benny Hannant’s got a bit of fitness over Sam at this stage of the season, but Sam is working hard on trying to get himself back,” Kuresa said of the former NRL giants’ clash.
“Obviously in the middle they’re bound to meet, there were a couple of collisions there.
“Coming into A-grade last year we were light on our pack, but this year we’ve got a bit more size with new personnel that gives us the confidence to compete against the bigger teams.”
SHEARERS VS SEAGULLS: HAT-TRICK FLYER STEALS IT
In their first year back in the A-grade competition, the Ormeau Shearers have shown plenty of promising signs. However a Runaway Bay flyer took it upon himself to rip the rug from beneath them.
Brent Barnes proved the difference for the Seagulls, opening and closing their account with another try inbetween.
The former Hornet carried on the momentum for wingers, after his replacement in the Helensvale colours scored his own double the night before.
Meanwhile his teammate, hooker Jenan Wedderburn-Parrish, earnt himself some brownie points over NRL champion rival Issac Luke by scoring himself out of dummy-half.
Ormeau were brave in defeat, however when push came to shove Barnes’ finishing prowess ultimately proved too much of a difference.
TIGERS VS REDBACKS: MUDGEERABA SHOCK STACKED SOUTHPORT
They may have recruited heavily, but the Southport Tigers are yet to register a win this season.
Redbacks halfback Dallas Wells, who missed last week’s narrow 22-20 loss to Tugun, helped himself to a double and was crucial in masterminding a 26-18 victory.
The former Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup half stood up in his halves battle with former State of Origin star Greg Bird, and while the Redbacks fell behind frequently Wells helped ensure they constantly fought back.
In addition, despite the Tigers boasting a centre pairing of former Parramatta Eels John Folau and Michael Oldfield, the latter playing his first game of the year, Mudgeeraba outside backs Jamie Anderson and Te Rangiatea McDonald both crossed to score.
Originally published as Wingers soar, legend battles back: Stars and key moments of Rugby League Gold Coast Round 2
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