Elite recruits dazzle on GCDRU debut: 15 star performers of trial round, gallery
Former Australian Schoolboys sensations have made a splash in trials against visiting Brisbane heavyweights Souths and Sunnybank. Meet the trials’ 15 star performers primed for monster 2025 seasons and see 49 action shots from the weekend.
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The addition of a back-to-back Shute Shield grand finalist helped Surfers Paradise match the mighty set piece of the Sunnybank Dragons blow-for-blow in a promising trial performance Saturday.
The first pre-season action of the 2025 Gold Coast and District Rugby Union calendar saw flanker Luke Gersekowski debut for the Dolphins in a major recruitment coup.
The 2016 Australian Schoolboys captain forced future Wallabies superstar Fraser McReight to the bench when the duo went head-to-head for the national under-18s No.7 jersey.
Since 2023 Gersekowski has been a regular in Sydney’s elite club competition, starting at No.8 for Northern Suburbs in back-to-back grand finals.
Dolphins coach Josh Kron said Gersekowski had been a key contributor for Surfers Paradise in a clash with one of Queensland Premier Rugby’s most physical clubs.
“Luke really stood out in the forward pack,” Kron said.
“He had a great game leading the lineouts and marching the forwards around the field.
“It’s pretty cool to have him there. His experience, his knowledge, the way he talks to the boys and manoeuvres around the field is exactly what we’ve been looking for.”
In a trial of 30-minute thirds Surfers Paradise kept pace in the opening period, matching the Dragons score-for-score to trail 19-12 at the first break.
Key to that mission was a top-class set piece performance.
Kron said the Dolphins did not lose a scrum or lineout the entire match despite a gulf in conditioning and depth, which became clearer as Sunnybank pulled away to win 54-12.
“It was really good to come up against a top quality side to see where we are at and measure ourselves,” Kron said.
“It was really physical, good quality rugby. Sunnybank were definitely more seasoned, had more rugby IQ than we did on the day, but overall we held our own with physicality and with set piece.
“Going a couple of levels above us to see where we stack and how we compare, now we can go into refinement and get ready for the season.
“We rolled out a 75-80 per cent strength team due to availability but we were evenly matched in the first part of the game.
“We didn’t lose a scrum and we didn’t lose a lineout. Our set piece is perfect, which is exactly where we want to be.”
Nerang also hosted Premier Grade opposition when Souths visited Pappas Way.
It was a special fixture with the two clubs linked by the Herbert family.
Souths captain Kohan Herbert is the son of club stalwart Cameron ‘Bushy’ Herbert and brother to the late Navar Herbert, whose commemorative mural watches over the fields at Glennon Park.
“It was pretty special,” Bulls coach Te Ari Mahuri said.
“We met with the coaching staff at Souths months ago to try and get them down here. To get them to connect with our club made for a pretty special day.”
Kohan, who made his Queensland Reds debut in October, navigated a tricky on-field homecoming with Bulls players lining up to roll out a bumpy red carpet for one of the club’s favourite sons.
“A few boys were trying to take his head off,” Mahuri joked, “but Kohan being the player that he is, he handled the situation well.
“We put up a fight for the first 30 minutes and then our boys were just battered and bruised. It’s a different level of rugby, playing against Brisbane Premier players, and our boys aren’t really used to the (high degree of) pace and the physicality.
“We definitely had a few sore bodies today.”
Nerang were defeated seven tries to two but learned valuable lessons the club plans to bring into its GCDRU title defence in 2025.
STAR PERFORMERS FROM TRIAL WEEKEND
Luke Gersekowski, Surfers flanker
“Luke really stood out in the forward pack,” Kron said.
“He had a great game leading the lineouts and marching the forwards around the field.
“It’s pretty cool to have him there. His experience, his knowledge, the way he talks to the boys and manoeuvres around the field is exactly what we’ve been looking for.”
James Wairau, Nerang lock
Nerang have found a “proper lock” in mountainous Kiwi recruit James Wairau.
The bulky second-rower represented southeast Queensland in his first season on Australian shores a season ago, when he landed on the Sunshine Coast.
His friendship with Nerang flanker Taniora Raniera triggered a move to swap the Sunny Coast for the Goldie, brining Wairau into contention for the Gold Coast Cyclones and perhaps Queensland Country honours.
“He was very solid in the middle there (against Souths),” coach Te Ari Mahuri said.
“He was very competitive upfront. He’s a massive addition to our team - a proper lock.”
Taani Fangupo, Surfers winger
A former Penrith Panthers Jersey Flegg squad member and South Island (New Zealand) under-20s rugby league, who spent last season with the Burleigh Bears in local reserve grade.
Fangupo was an unknown quantity entering the fixture but stamped his authority with a great intercept try in the opening period.
“He really shone,” Kron said.
“I don’t think anyone tackled him on the first effort. He slipped the first tackle every time he touched the ball.”
Jacob Taurima, Nerang winger
On a scale of one to Will Bird, just how fast is Nerang’s tall new wing recruit?
“He’s even faster,” coach Te Ari Mahuri said.
“He’s made a name for himself at the club with how quick he is. He’s a very exciting prospect for Gold Coast rugby, who covers wing, fullback and flyhalf.
“He’s very similar to Keahn Tipu (electric former Helensvale star) from a few years ago. He’s going to be pretty scary.”
Taurima was sucked in by the culture at Nerang after coming out to spectate the club’s grand final victory over Colleges last season.
Now he will be part of the club’s title defence.
Simon Anau, Surfers No.8
The experienced loose forward is battling the flu at the moment but took his place in the backrow regardless.
Few would have guessed he was ill, with strong carries and good positioning across the field making him a constant threat.
Anau also made several good defensive plays.
“It was really good to have that little bit of knowledge running around as well,” Kron said.
Maiz George, Nerang scrumhalf
Steered the ship well in the first 30. Nerang’s rookie of the year in 2024.
Angus Burns, Surfers tighthead prop
A recruit from Sydney’s famous Randwick club who held Sunnybank’s front row at bay though much of the trial.
“The experience and the level he brings to the boys, his communication, his work ethic, that’s what we’ve been instilling in the team as a part of our culture,” Kron said.
Jarrod Nyssen, Nerang flyhalf
Steered the ship well, has matured a lot since he first arrived at Nerang from Colleges in the 2021 season.
Chris Sumpter, Surfers hooker
The more classical tight five hooker of Surfers Paradise’s tandem with a sharp, technical lineout throw.
Sumpter excelled against Sunnybank with his jackling and work slowing down the defensive breakdown.
Tyler Stevens, Nerang fullback
The former Queensland under-18 and Australian Schoolboys halfback has made every post a winner since coach Mahuri pushed him out to fullback last season.
Those dazzling fast feet causes headaches even for players the calibre that Souths’ brought to the Gold Coast this weekend.
Nathan Kennon, Surfers hooker
The flashier of Surfers Paradise’s hooking duo, operating in wider channels with good hit-ups and smart defensive work.
Coach Kron believes each may start portions of the season depending on the opposition they face because both are good enough to carve out big roles in the front row.
Nerang front row: Hakopa Utiera, Chunnas Aporo and Ihaka Te Paki
Nerang held their own at scrumtime against a powerful Souths unit spearheaded by Australian under-20s and Queensland Reds prop Trevor King.
Te Paki, Aporo and Utiera make for an undersized front row by Nerang’s usual standards but proved they can get the job done at the set piece as well as getting around the ground.
Bailey Bocock, Surfers centre
A dominant physical centre who carried hard and defended well against Sunnybank. Bocock’s communication in attack and defence proved a key throughout the trial.
49 PICTURES FROM SURFERS PARADISE v SUNNYBANK
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