Qld Premier Rugby 2024’s big recruits revealed ahead of a bumper season starting on April 6
Qld Premier Rugby’s 2024 gains and losses across all nine teams revealed here. See who landed ex-Wallabies flyers and top recruits from across the ditch. FULL LIST
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In celebration of Saturday’s Australian Club Championship showdown won by Brothers over Randwick at Crosby Park, we feature the key gains and losses across all nine Premier rugby clubs.
The championship, played annually between the champion club teams from Queensland and New South Wales, saw Kurtley Beale return to rugby in style and Brothers edge their name in history.
AUSTRALIAN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS REPORT
Our Transfer Hub story features the who’s who of gains and losses across all nine clubs. So who picked up Henry Speight, who are the rookies to watch and how is your team shaping up?
All is revealed below.
CLUB RUGBY’S TRANSFER HUB
The Queensland Premier Rugby season is fast approaching and next-up youngsters, new recruits and club stalwarts are revving their engines ahead of the first round of battle on Saturday, April 6.
Clubs moved to snap up elite talent over the off-season, replacing players lost to retirement, other clubs and injury and all the player movements are outlined here from the StoreLocal Hospital Cup.
In the coming weeks keep an eye out for stories surrounding the Colts 1 and StoreLocal Premier Women competitions.
But first, here is a full Queensland Premier Rugby transfer hub for season 2024.
NORTHS EAGLES
Head coach: Daniel Ritchie
Ins: Harrison Swane (UQ), Josh Mongard (Brothers/Force Academy), Tonga Ma’afu (GPS), Cullen Ngamanu (Souths), Jackson Connelly (Brumbies Academy).
Outs: Bart Ritchie (Retired; Head coach colts 1), Connor Higgins (Bay of Plenty NPC), James Atonio (Wests).
Transitioned from Colts: Oliver Milne, Jack Hussey, Alex Smith, Dan Healy, Mackenzie Fox, Lachlan Beath, Mike Temo, Carlos Langkilde.
ROOKIE WATCH
Will McCulloch and Hamish Muir
Norths are ready to turn the chapter and become a force week-in-week-out in this competition and spearheading them this season will be two young veterans, Will McCulloch and Hamish Muir.
Both boys are fullbacks, but are too good for one to be started on the bench.
Head coach Bart Ritchie has a positional call on his hands but there are worse problems to have.
Muir and McCulloch are two of the most exciting prospects Norths have had in recent years and if both play how they did in 2023 then there’s a chance Ritchie might not have the luxury of having them in his team after this season.
McCulloch, 19, is in the Reds Academy, and has done enough already to earn a proper contract.
He was the best player in the Super Rugby Pacific Under-19s competition last year as the single returning player in the side. In nine first grade games last year, he ran in six tries, and this season will again juggle casual work, first grade training and Reds training, in the Tier One Academy and with the main squad.
But if a move isn’t made by the Reds to lock him down, McCulloch is more than qualified to try his luck playing rugby overseas.
Norths would hope it doesn’t have to come to that.
McCulloch’s teammate Muir, a Villanova College old boy, is another special player in the Eagles ranks ready to rumble in the new season.
He’s a different player to McCulloch, and has shown in first grade, and in the Stannard Shield 7s, that he is just the bloke the Australian Mens 7s team could use.
Since graduating school in 2020, the headgear hot stepper has played two seasons of first grade and has, like McCulloch, turned heads at the Norths club.
Another player who looks to be in for a big season is backrower Olive Milne who has come through the Colts program.
Milne attended BBC and has been a big improver over the off-season.
EASTS TIGERS
Head coach: Simon Craig
Ins: Pio Nakubuwai (Returning from a pre-season with the Force), Frankie Goldsbrough (Churchie, Reds), Massimo Du Lutiis (Reds, Aus U20s), Taniela Rakuro (Fijian Drua), Jack Frampton (returning after two years on the sideline with injury), Shea Lalagavesi (returning after one year on the sideline injured), Andrew Ready (contracted in France returning to finish his career at Easts), Lloyd Gorman (Sunnybank), Johnson Ioane (overseas), Will Sankey (returning from a pre-season at the Brumbies).
Outs: JP Tominiko (Sunnybank) Richie Asiata (Sunnybank) Tyrees Wilson (retired due to injury), Francis Pona (Sunnybank), Ben Littleton (retired), Jordie Carriera (taking the year off), Sam Richards (moving overseas), Aiden Leeming (retired), Tom Milosivic (retired), Jake Papin (contracted in Japan), Alex Smit (playing in Canberra), Will Kirk (playing in Canberra).
Player movement highlights include:
+18-year-old Frankie Goldsbrough coming into the fold. The Reds contracted centre will start in Colts 1 and sit on the Tigers’ first grade bench after his game.
+ TSS old boy and Junior Wallaby Massimo De Lutiis (Reds contracted) will play for Easts after spending two years in the Brumbies system. He is powerful.
+Ex-Reds hooker Andrew Ready has returned home to finish his career at Tigerland.
+Long serving club stalwart Tom Milosivic has hung up the boots. The 29-year-old flanker was a key figure in the club’s 2020 premiership team and has won the John Bremner Medal (Player’s Player) an unprecedented five times. A Tiger for life, Milosivic played 24 seasons at Bottomley Park and the club will miss his leadership sorely.
+Easts have lost promising scrumhalf Will Kirk.
+26-year-old lock Will Sankey has landed at Easts. He is a 200cm, 116kg Villanova old boy who has Super Rugby experience.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
Patrick Elekana
The Gregory Terrace old boy played second grade last year and will likely start in second grade to begin the season.
But Elekana, a flyhalf, inside centre or fullback, will play first grade at some stage. And he will be ready.
As a schoolboy Elekana was classy, he had smooth hands and a running game which was damaging at that level.
Watch for the Tiger to come into the picture at some point.
Easts had another promising youngster ready for first grade in Jarrod Homan but sadly Homan injured himself in the Queensland Reds Development XV game against the Eastern Suburbs late last month.
In an awkward tackle on the cusp of halftime, a ball carrying Homan dislocated his right ankle and broke his fibula.
Homan has had surgery, which went well according to coach Simon Craig. A plate had been put in and in six weeks Homan will go back into surgery for a refixation of his syndesmosis and ankle.
Craig said a timeline for Homan’s return would be round 14, at the end of the season. But the club won’t rush him back.
He said the club was invested in helping Homan in every way possible to get him ready physically and mentally to play.
When he does play, Homan is a damaging fullback or wing who possesses good footwork and power.
The BBC old boy had just returned from a high ankle sprain obtained in round two of the Colts 1 season last year against Wests.
He missed the whole season, and the Australian under-20s camp the following week.
GPS GALLOPERS
Head coach: Sio Kite
Ins: Jayden Green (New Zealand), Nakoa Marcroft (Caloundra Lighthouse), Peter Welsh (Toowoomba Bears), Henry Radel (Bond University) Tiko Twist (Wests Bulldogs) Jonah Pologa (Caboolture Snakes), Malakai Taulani (Brothers).
Outs: Chris Kuridrani (retired), Michael Richards (retired) Joshua Collins (retired), Jack Straker (retired), Jethro Felemi (UQ), Tonga Maafu (Norths).
Kite’s Gallopers have welcomed the addition of Marcrot, a Sunshine Coast centre who will look to fill the void left by Kuridrani.
The signs of that happening are promising based on his pre-season output.
Meanwhile retiring club champion Michael Richards will be missed at lock.
A club man to the core, Richards was a premiership winner with the club. Someone who played above his weight and gave 110 percent week-in, week out for the Gallopers.
GPS have also lost veteran winger Joshua Collins to retirement. Collins was a tryscorer with speed and footwork.
One of the club’s key recruits could be coach Sio himself.
The manner in which he pulled together his 2021 Colts 1 premiership squad announced him as a great man manager who encouraged his plays to back their skills both in contact and wide of the ruck.
The club welcomes back local junior, Malakai Taulani, who will add depth to the forwards.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
Avery Thomson
The towering Thomson will start the season in Colts 1 under coach Kris Kuridrani but it would not surprise to see him crack the top team in what is his first year out of school.
The BBC old boy stands tall at 201cm and is an A1 lineout operator who is in the Reds Tier One Academy.
GPS did a good job recruiting this promising lock whose physicality is developing at a fast rate.
BOND UNIVERSITY BULLSHARKS
Head coach: Mick Heenan
Super coach Heenan has landed a Shute Shield utility in Fred Dorrough. A Former Queensland under-20s player, Dorrough can play anywhere in the backline and has plenty of experience under his belt.
Heenan has also landed halfback Jordan Lenac. Lenac was a part of the first Queensland Under 20s side in 2017 before moving to Scotland where he played for the Glasgow Warriors (United Rugby Championship) and Ayrshire Bulls (Super 6 Competition). He has found a home at Bond University.
Gavin Luka, a Nudgee College old boy and the 2016 John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship holder, is back after a year off.
+ Youngsters Rocco Gollings, Fergus Gillan, Amare Milford and Oliver Barrett could see first grade minutes despite being Colts.
+Bond’s breakthrough player of the year in 2023, their captain Lachlan Connors, has moved to University to be closer to work.
Ins: Fred Dorrough (Sydney), Jordan Lenac (Scotland) Tim Fatialofa (from NZ), Lukas Ripley (Rebels), Harrison Bell (Colts), Oliver Barrett (Nudgee), Amare Milford (TSS), Fergus Gillan (TSS) Nathan Beale (UQ), Rocco Gollings (Colts), Gavin Luka (Year off)
Outs: Lachie Connors (UQ), Mollie Saumalangi (Sydney), Helemen Samwella (Souths).
ROOKIE WATCH
Amare Milford
TSS old boy Milford, despite still being 18, has the build to mix it with men in first grade.
A backrower, Milford is tall, strong and mobile and is currently training two days a week with the Burleigh Bears Meninga Cup under-19s (league) and two with Bond University.
When the Meninga Cup season finishes Milford will slot into Colts and could see time in first grade.
Fergus Gillan
Gillan attended TSS with Milford and was an Australian Schools and U18s selection last year.
A towering lock, Gillan was arguably the best in his position during last year’s GPS competition.
He will start in Colts but could play first grade as an 18-year-old.
Oliver Barrett
Nudgee product Barrett is a powerful hooker who also made the Australian Schools and U18s side in 2023.
He scored rolling maul tries at ease last year playing schoolboy rugby and will start in Colts.
Dylan Loader
Watch for lock Loader to move swiftly from Colts 1 into first grade. He is impressive and has been match hardened by multiple Colts campaigns.
Bond University also have New Zealand born youngster Syris Schmidt, a flyhalf or fullback, who has shown in pre-season he is more than ready to steer the ship for last year’s minor premiers.
BROTHERS
Head coach: Ben McCormack
Ins: Latu Talakai (Wests), Oahu Davey-Phillips (NZ), Grason Makara (Force), George Tuineau (NZ), Hamish Glascock (Eastwood), Quinten Raravula (UQ).
Outs: Michael Bond (retirement), Tom Moloney (retirement), Rob Mapa (Storm), Hunter Lim (Japan), Toshi Butlin (France), Kadin Pritchard (Brumbies), Josh Mongard (Norths).
Lawson Creighton has been freed to play in his premiership position of flyhalf for Brothers in Saturday’s big Australian Club Championship clash against Randwick at Crosby Park.
Creighton’s smooth and deadly play making was integral to the Brethren taking the StoreLocal Hospital Cup grand final last season after a hot run of form through the finals.
Creighton had a week off last weekend for a head knock in a Reds Development XV game but was given the all clear to play for Brothers on Saturday when not included in the Reds’ Super Rugby Pacific squad this week.
“Obviously, I want to be playing Super Rugby but I love the place at Brothers so to play the Australian Club Championship is pretty cool,” Creighton said.
“Like Brothers, Randwick have a lot of history. It’s a match with a lot of meaning and I hear Randwick are bringing some of their own fans to add to the noise.”
Junior Wallabies winger Tim Ryan is also available after playing his first Super Rugby Pacific game last weekend.
Brothers coach Ben McCormack knows how much the Australian Club Championship means as a lift-off to the season having coached at Randwick himself.
“We’ve lost some players for sure from last season but also picked up good players. To have an old head like Lawson steering the ship is invaluable,” McCormack said.
“I’m a Brothers guy and I love the way the community gets behind the club. I really enjoyed my time at Randwick and I know there are lots of similarities with Brothers.
“Any time there’s a Brothers v Randwick game, you jump at it. We’ll be having a proper crack.”
WESTS BULLDOGS
Head coach: Elwee Prinsloo
The Bulldogs will enter somewhat of a rebuilding period following last year’s grand final loss to Brothers but will remain the powerhouse we have come to know over recent years.
It has been a combination of retirements, players moving away for opportunities and players gaining professional contracts that has brought about a new era for the club.
Recruitment never stops at Sylvan Road, especially following the club’s loss of notable players, including:
+ Keynan Tauakipulu (Brumbies)
+ Cullin Cooper-Jones (Brumbies)
+ Ethan Dobbins (Rebels)
+ Tim Faingaanuku (Rebels)
+ Ben Navosailagi (United Kingdom)
+ Jack Evenden (Ireland)
+ Latu Talakai (Brothers)
+ Villikesa Raboiliku (Souths)
+ Liam Usher (Gordon, Shute Sheild)
+ Cooper Whiteside (Eastwood, Shute Shield)
+ Callum Smith (interstate work)
+ Joel Atkins (retired)
+ Richie Skelton (rugby league)
Ins: Henry Speight (France), Moses Sorovi (retained) Mosese Dawai (Highlanders)
ROOKIE WATCH
Baguio Johnson-Tiumalu
‘Bags’ is a Reds Academy prop, a massive human who has been in and around the Reds training set up over the off-season.
He is in a similar position that Bulldogs boy Faingaanuku was in last year playing for Wests before getting picked up by the Rebels.
The Reds have shown interest in Johnson-Tiumalu having invited him back to Ballymore for a four week training block with the squad.
Watch this space.
JAMES MARTENS AND JAMIE ALEXANDER
If you thought the halfback stocks in Queensland could not be any stronger. You haven’t heard nothing yet.
Let us introduce you to these two.
They are two completely different players. Martens, who invokes memories of Springbok No. 9 Fourie du Preez, is a big, abrasive halfback with a strong kicking game.
He is the son of Hente Martens who toured Argentina with South Africa in 1993.
Meanwhile Alexander, BBC’s College captain last year and an elite all-rounder in cricket, is lightning around the fringes.
He is someone who challenges ruck defence all the while being a premier communicator and a left-footer who can kick goals and create tries with his kicking.
How good it will be for Martens and Alexander’s development to have Moses Sorovi and Louis Werchon mentoring them.
Alexander’s strengths are his communication and IQ, and Martens, a talented cricketer also, has two things you can’t coach: speed and size.
Martens won’t look even a bit out of place in this Saturday’s game between the Bulldogs and Vikings where he will come off the bench.
ALEX WATKINS
Watkins played Second XV last year at Nudgee and will come off the bench in premier grade on Saturday.
A rough-and-tumble backrower, Watkins has grown significantly over the summer and has turned heads at Sylvan road.
He has been in the gym non stop, he is fit as a fiddle and he is one exciting prospect.
SOUTHS MAGPIES
Head coach: Garrick Morgan
Souths coach Garrick Morgan said the club’s 8-8 campaign in 2023 was only the start of the revitalisation of the Magpies.
“We played a pretty direct game last year, almost a dinosaur way of playing some would say. It was about building a foundation of being hard on the ball and we are about expanding our game this season,” said Morgan, the former Wallaby and Magpies’ premiership winning champion.
“It’s great to see Souths players like Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and John Bryant getting their chances at the Reds.”
The Magpies are offering chances to more emerging players with 2023 Colt of the Year Jake Kurbatoff impressing during the trials as a starting flanker.
The return of 2023 skipper Kohan Herbert from a training stint with the Melbourne Rebels is a real plus because he’ll add strength to the backrow.
The arrival of powerfully-framed inside centre Villikesa Roibiluku from Wests, where he was a 2022 premiership winner, is a major positive.
The club has two quality halfbacks in Willem Johnstone and Finn Hearn.
Reds prospect Taj Annan and hardworking lock Connor Vest have been lured to Souths as big off-season recruits. Annan played his first year for Souths last year.
Ins: Villikesa Roibiluku (Wests), Jack Farrell, Taj Annan (retained), Connor Vest (Uni)
Outs: Sam Mata’afa
ROOKIE WATCH
Jake Kurbatoff
A big part of Souths’ Colts 1 revival last season. The St Laurence’s premiership winning captain and lock is athletic, strong, and the 2023 Queensland Premier Rugby U20 Player of the Year.
Harry Wilson, Josh Flook, Mac Grealy, Floyd Aubrey and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips have taken out that award in the last five-years so the 18-year-old backrower is in good company.
Denzil Perkins
Another member of Souths’ Colts 1 grand final side is this quicksilver winger who honed his craft in the Reds under-19s team late last year.
It would not surprise to see headgear wearing Perkins play on the wing.
He has speed and plenty of it.
SUNNYBANK DRAGONS
Head coach: Rob Roiri
Ins: JP Tominiko (Easts) Sean Johnson (America) Richie Asiata (Easts) Alex Hodgman (Reds) AJ Maiorana (America) Taine Roiri (Reds) Liam McNamara (Ireland) Francis Pona (Easts) Kitione Taliga (Fiji) Nathan Whippy (Souths), Zac Sheppard (Easts).
Outs: Sam Mellor (retired), Jamie Kavanagh (home Ireland), Elijah Kulamu (work), Emmitt Keepa (work), Darragh Murphy (home Ireland), Adam Hayes (retired), Jayvan Scarff (Newcastle), Tui Nofoaiga (coaching), Lepau Feau (work), Khya Wilson, Puni Aupuni (Canberra).
Sunnybank are returning to their roots and bringing in old players of the club.
In a ‘homecoming’ approach to the season, Sunnybank are looking to bring back a winning formula, built on returning players who understand what the club is about and what wearing the jersey means.
Spearheading the Dragons will be an old Colts player of the club, Liam McNamara.
A capped Australian 7s player, he has played for Ireland’s 7s team and in Scotland and he has returned home to the Dragons.
“We have a good family vibe. That is first and foremost what we are looking to do,” said coach Rob Roiri.
“Bringing that family environment and culture back into us. Where it is a family affair where you just want to come and play for your friends and family and be a part of that.”
BIG IN
Sunnybank backrower Taine Roiri is back.
The John Paul College old boy and Reds squad member has overcome surgery on his knee to return to full strength.
Roiri had his first full game last Saturday against University and Brothers for the Reds Development XV and is a huge boost to the Dragons forward pack.
“Having them (Reds players) around us … That’s something we have missed,” said Sunnybank coach Rob Roiri.
“Having guys like Zac (Sheppard, lock) or to have Liam (McNamara, flyhalf), guys that have been away and played for decent teams, just having their voice … Just showing them (the squad) how to win and how to lead is massive.”
ROOKIE WATCH
Isaac Nomani
Watch for Colts 1 top gun Isaac Nomani to come into the mix somewhere along the line.
“I think we will use him in a position where we see longevity which will be in the backrow,” said Roiri.
A lock in Colts, Nomani was often one of then head coach Brendan Underwood’s BoG, a tackling demon who could feature in Sunnybank’s top team after starting the season in Colts 1.
Oscar McCarthy
Another young talent that has landed in the Sunnybank stables is halfback Oscar McCarthy who has come across from England.
Like Nomani, McCarthy will likely start in Colts 1 but there is a healthy chance he slots into the premier grade team.
He is right up to speed, and has the chance to put his hand up for the starting spot in the club’s first grade team in the upcoming trial games.
UNIVERSITY RED HEAVIES
Head coach: Elton Berrange
Ins: Manu Paea (Tongan halfback), Setefano Funaki (Tongan backrower), Jethro Felemi (GPS), Niven Longopoa (GPS), Lachlan Connors (Bond), Jackson Clarke (Souths) Tapi Allen (Heartland Cup), James Te Pairi (Dunedin Premier Rugby), Willy Rua (Wellington Premier Competition), Joe Brial (Canterbury/Reds) Tom Molloy (Cambridge) Kye Oates (Australian 7s)
Outs: Pat Morrey (season off), Connor Vest (Souths), Nathan Beil (Bond), Dane Zander (MLR), Tom Manca (Italy).
Player movement highlights include:
+ GPS outside back Niven Longopoa and tighthead prop Jehtro Felemi switching clubs to University.
+ A huge coup for the Red Heavies getting Bond University skipper Lachlan Connors, an elite backrower.
+ Kye Oates has returned from a back injury obtained playing Australian Mens Rugby 7s.
+ Reds No. 8 Joe Brial has pledged allegiance to the University club. He could play a lot of games depending on Reds commitments.
+ Red Heavies veteran captain Pat Morrey is having a season off to rehabilitate a back injury. The club will miss his experience and leadership.
+ University have lost Connor Vest to Souths and Dane Zander to America.
+ Promising halfback Tom Manca has moved to Italy to play club rugby.
MANCA’S MOVE
Scrumhalf Tom Manca has leapt at the opportunity of representing the Italy Under-20s at the World Rugby U20 Championship in June and moved to Italy to play club rugby and try make it happen.
He qualifies for Italy through his father.
“He’s a great player. He’s very hungry to learn. He’s an absolute sponge and he wants to get tougher,” said Berrange.
He was set to start at halfback for Berrange but moved overseas to try his luck in club land and put his hand up for selection in the U20 team.
“The easiest thing in the world for Tom would have been to stay here. He took a risk going to Italy,” said Berrange.
“It’s something he couldn’t turn down.
“He goes not only with our blessing but were proud of him.”
NOT TO WORRY
While Manca would have been a walk-in to the premier grade team, University have numerous options when it comes to filling his position.
University have the instinctive Manu Paea, a 22-year-old who has made 10 appearances for Tonga’s national team, as well as the tough as nails Liam Prendergast and deadly accurate Jacob Carmichael.
It is not out of Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki or Jimmy Jackson’s reach either. Both boys play halfback for the club’s Colts 1 team.
WATCH OUT FOR
Watch for University’s captain and flyhalf Brad Twidale to return to the peak of his powers.
Twidale was coming off a shoulder reconstruction last season and is at 100 per cent.
“Brad is our glue,” said Berrange.
“He has UQ DNA running through him.”
Twidale’s toughness, defence, and skill will be key to University using the potency of its forward pack.
SKIPPER’S YEAR OFF
University have lost lock Vest to Souths, and to make matters worse, they will be without 28-year-old veteran Patrick Morrey, who has taken the season off.
Morrey had a bulging disk in his back that needed tending to.
“We’ve lost some great players” said Berrange.
“He (Morrey) has a bulging disk in his back that he needed to sort out and his back is more important than rugby so he has taken a year off.”
University lose over 130 games of first grade experience with Morrey out.
ROOKIE WATCH
ANGUS KELLY AND CHACE OATES
Berrange has two quality young prospects in his ranks in Angus Kelly (centre) and Chace Oates, who can play flyhalf, in the midfield or at fullback.
Both boys were selected in the Queensland Reds under-18s side just last month and will be foaming at the mouth at the thought of a 16-game long season.
“He’s going to be one hell of a player that is for sure,” Berrange said of Gregory Terrace old boy Kelly.
“I would be very surprised if we didn’t see Angus and Chace playing a bit of premier grade this year.”
Oates has the build for it. Physically he is strong enough to fit in.
Berrange said having experienced backs could make it easier and more likely for the pair to come into the mix after starting the season in Colts 1.
“We have a lot of experience in our backline so the opportunity is there for those guys to come in when you have Kye Oates on one wing and Lachlan Sperling on the other. There’s 50 games on either side of you,” Berrange said.
“Tom Molloy (Randwick, Cambridge), who comes back as a very experienced campaigner and Brad Twideale at No. 10 is a good opportunity to blood one of them or two of them at a time.”
HEAVY HITTER
Bringing the intimidation will be Nuku Swerling, a player that “genuinely puts fear in the opposition” according to Berrange.
He is the type of player that hits hard, so hard that attackers “stay hit”.
BACK AND BETTER
University’s outside back stocks have received a huge boost with premiership winner Kye Oates back in the team.
The fleet-a-foot Oates played for the Australian Men’s 7s team last year but had his season cut short due to a stress fracture in his back.
He is back sharper than ever, ready to make some noise and get The Students back to the finals.
With his experience, leadership, confidence in his ability and high rugby IQ, University were in safe hands.
“When you get to halftime, instead of having to tell them what’s going on, you simply ask and they’ve already assessed any problems or opportunities and are problem solving on the run,” Berrange said of Oates and Twidale’s leadership.
“They’ll tell you. They already know.”
A tremendous athlete, Oates has his eyes set on playing Super Rugby.
“He’s one of the most talented players I have ever coached” said Berrange.
“If he played Super Rugby it would be ‘gee where has this guy been’.”
AUSTRALIAN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
It is 50 years since Brothers first played Randwick, and on Saturday Crosby Park is expected to be a sea heaving club supporters eager to see the community season kick off in style.
Brothers will play Randwick from 3.30pm, with the curtain-raiser between respective 2023 runners-up Wests Bulldogs and the Tuggeranong Vikings.
In 1974 Sydney glamour club Randwick was sent packing by a Brothers outfit which produced a whirlwind performance on its way to winning 45-22.
Brothers, coached by the legendary Dallas O’Neill and with Wallaby David L’Estrange as captain, sent a message across the border that a new era in Queensland rugby was dawning.
Queensland’s historic 42-4 thrashing of NSW was still two years away, but Brothers’ performance in 1974 against Randwick was the first glimpse the sleeping giant of Australian rugby was stirring.
On that day Brothers winger Jeff McLean and his brother Paul tore the opposition to shreds.
Jeff McLean feasted on his forward’s ball winning ways to race in four tries while his little brother Paul was no less impressive.
Brothers forwards were spearheaded by backrowers Barry Leal, future premiership winning coach Ron Price and funnyman Dick Cocks.
Entering Saturday’s clash Randwick have a 3-2 advantage over Brothers from the club’s previous five encounters.
Brothers head of commercial Lochie Lawrence said Saturday’s event would be a “showcase of community and club rugby at its finest’’.
“The crowd can come in for free and be a part of a really special occasion.’’
The build-up will start on Friday night when both teams attend a Brothers junior’s meet and greet at Crosby Park.
Originally published as Qld Premier Rugby 2024’s big recruits revealed ahead of a bumper season starting on April 6
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