Connor Toia has moved to Ormeau from the Burleigh Bears mid-season, bringing with him 33 games of experience in the state league and a point to prove.

He now forms a spine at the club which features former Mudgeeraba five-eighth Jack Rogers and NRL champion hooker Issac Luke to guide a relatively raw A-grade outfit.

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Shearers coach Stuart Wilkins said the addition of Toia was a crucial one for the side, given their relative lack of squad depth in what is their first campaign back in the Rugby League Gold Coast competition.

He said a 30 minute passage in last week’s 46-18 defeat to Burleigh in which they clawed back from a 24-0 halftime deficit showed to him there was ability in his squad to work with. Now it was a matter of turning that half-an-hour period into an 80 minute dogfight, and Toia’s inclusion was pivotal to that vision.

“He’s been a handy pick up, although he’s only been there the last week or so. When you get a player like Connor, he hasn’t played with these players pretty much so we’re try to get some cohesion going,” Wilkins said.

“The organisational and set up skills he brings to the club are really good. That’s the sort of player we need to drive us forward and consolidate and work off Issac Luke.

“I’ve got some quality footballers there, some of the players are playing exceptionally and I’m really happy with the way they’re going.

“Coen Rankmore is going really well, Dylan Pelo is playing really well … it’s about learning to play A-grade and last week was a really good example.”

Wild weather could yet call off round six, with Wilkins confirming his side have been unable to train all week with the Ormeau fields underwater.

However if the Shearers are to take the field against Southport on Sunday, the coach has demanded greater resilience from his men when their backs were against the wall.

Ormeau have proven scoring points is no concern, with their 44-0 defeat against the Redbacks their only complete capitulation with ball in hand.

It has been off the ball Wilkins has called for more, with only Helensvale conceding more points than the Shearers.

Wilkins said he was still building depth within his squad to withstand the rigours of A-grade rugby league — particularly when they needed to overturn momentum in the throes of a contest.

“To be perfectly honest we probably lack three or four players with depth. We played against the really good sides and it shows we don’t have the depth of the other clubs at this stage,” he said.

“I could do with two more middles … we’re working on it, and that’s all part of the process of coming back into the competition.

“A very smart man said to me ‘don’t try win the competition in the first couple of weeks because it’s not going to happen’.

“We’ve got to be more resilient when things don’t go our way and get off to a better start.”

Ormeau and Southport are set to kick off from 3pm on Sunday at Brien Harris Oval, however the wet weather could force a reshuffle.

All games from juniors through to reserve grade have been cancelled due to the rain which has hit the region, but there is hope all four A-grade games could still go ahead on Sunday at one venue.

MUDGEERABA VS HELENSVALE

Last Time They Met (Round 12, 2021):Redbacks 18 (P Wilson, K Clark, name unavailable tries; K Clark 3 goals) def Hornets 10 (S Pokare, A White tries; B Court goal)

Key Player Battle: Zeb Taia (Redbacks) vs Liam Clark (Hornets)

An NRL veteran up against a Vikings representative. Except the edges to cop a battering.

In and amongst a relatively young side, Zeb Taia’s 315 games of first-grade experience has proven invaluable, with the Redbacks shocking the likes of Southport and Runaway Bay, while also going toe-to-toe with Tugun.

While it was his Mudgeeraba backrow partner Nathan Schwass who stood out last week in scoring a double, Taia’s no-how on the field from a host of positions in a game has made him the ideal leader for the side.

And up against Liam Clark, the 37-year-old former Gold Coast Titan will need to be at his defensive best.

Clark turned out strong performances for the Vikings in their victorious Chairman’s Challenge carnival, coming off the bench and providing plenty of punch with his size and aggression.

No doubt he and his teammates will be hurting from their 39-point loss to the Seahawks last week, and coach Clinton Toopi will look to his representative forward to take the challenge personally and lead from the front.

What this clash means for their seasons: For the Redbacks Sunday’s clash will be about continuing in the same vain they have been for the opening five rounds of the competition.

Mudgeeraba have already had their clash with Burleigh postponed due to wet weather, however had that clash gone ahead as scheduled they would have fought throughout arguably the competition’s toughest draw.

A two-point loss to Tugun, last year’s runners up, remains their only blemish, while strong wins over fellow top four sides Southport and Runaway Bay have flexed their premiership muscles.

Their 44-0 demolition of Ormeau showcased that against the newer outfits they have the means to click into gear.

For Helensvale, in what is just their second year as a club, they will be desperate for a stronger defensive showing.

While a win could keep them in finals reckoning for the time being, the Hornets have conceded 40 or more points in all four of their losses — the one time they did not, they defeated Currumbin 22-18.

No team has conceded more points that Helensvale, and against a palpable Redbacks attack they will need to find greater resolve off the ball or risk sliding out of finals contention at such an early stage in the season.

RUNAWAY BAY VS TUGUN

Last Time They Met (Round 10, 2021):Seagulls 22 (D Sims, C McLaughlin, J Menzies, name unavailable x 2 tries; T Han goal) def by Seahawks 28 (J Veli 2, S Meskell, T Cassidy, M Burgess tries; T Robinson 4 goals)

Key Player Battle: Queille Murray (Seagulls) vs Fetuli Talanoa (Seahawks)

Fresh off his starring role for the Vikings, Seagulls winger Queille Murray will now face off with one of the biggest outside men in the competition.

Each performance for Murray is the chance to prove he warrants a Queensland Cup berth with the Tweed Seagulls, and challenges do not come much tougher than against Tugun flyer Fetuli Talanoa.

While the former Tongan international may not have the same zip in his step as he did throughout his 223 first-grade appearances, Talanoa still stands as one of the strongest wingers on the Gold Coast and has frequently taken several defenders to stop.

Where Murray seems to rely on his instincts and speed, Talanoa uses his size and strength to tear down his opposite number.

Whichever tactic pays off could be what opens the floodgates for their side.

What this clash means for their seasons:Despite his side winning its opening three games, Seagulls coach Nick Glesson at the time called for calm in his squad.

They were yet to face the heavyweights of the competition, and since then losses to Southport and Mudgeeraba have followed.

Now against a Tugun outfit determined to claim a top scalp they will need to be on their game.

Runaway Bay may have to do so without star fullback Tyler Han, who is in line to make his Queensland Cup debut for the Papua New Guinea Hunters.

A win over the Seahawks would go a long way to proving they are genuine title contenders ahead of their clash with defending champions, Burleigh.

For Tugun, a victory could get them into a surge of momentum on the back of a 47-8 win over Helensvale.

That win cast aside a lean patch for the blue brigade, and with a contest against Ormeau to follow this week taking down the 2020 champions would be a valuable scalp.

It would also keep the battle to move up the ladder an intense affair, causing a logjam from teams one to five.

ORMEAU VS SOUTHPORT

Last Time They Met (2020 season): Shearers 24 def Tigers 16 (try scorers unavailable)

Key Player Battle: Sione Katoa vs. Issac Luke

This could arguably be the fiercest one-on-one battle the competition has had thus far.

Southport dummy-half Sione Katoa was lining up for the Canterbury Bulldogs this time last year, and now he stands as the sharpest attacking weapon at the Tigers disposal.

His running game out of the ruck has been dominant, while his ability to move his forward pack forward has been a blessing for halves Zane Harris and Blake Scott, giving them ample time to orchestrate their attack.

However now Katoa will face off with one of the finest hookers of the modern era.

Issac Luke was brought to the Shearers to help usher in a new era for the club, and his fingerprints have been all over any success Ormeau have come up with.

In their round one victory over Helensvale he scored and set up two tries a piece, while against Burleigh he came off the bench and began to launch a second half comeback.

Expect these two international-calibre number nines to play pivotal roles in deciding the outcome of this one.

What this clash means for their seasons: Ormeau have proved there is enough natural talent in the group to apply scoreboard pressure on their rivals.

What they need now is a wake up call in resilience if they are to be a factor come the business end of the season.

The Shearers have conceded more than 40 points in their past two outings, and even when they put 26 points on Runaway Bay in round two they still leaked 30.

To lift themselves away from wooden spoon territory, a change in their defensive nous is a must, even in what has been a rebuilding year for the club.

Southport now have the chance to win four in a row, as their star studded side find continuity on the field.

After their 34-0 win over Currumbin, halfback Zane Harris said it took some honest conversations for a team of stars to become one cohesive unit.

With games against Ormeau and then Helensvale to come before their rematch with Burleigh they have every chance of taking on the reigning premiers with a head of steam.

CURRUMBIN VS BURLEIGH

Last Time They Met (Round 14, 2021): Eagles 12 (J Gill, C Hennessey tries; S Bunt two goals) def by Bears 32 (A Khan-Pereira 2, Tuvalli-Afoa Khan-Pereira 2, A Scougall, S Garner tries; R McKenzie-O’Brien 4 goals)

Key Player Battle: Noah Croudace (Eagles) vs Allan Lockwood (Bears)

Two members of the extended Vikings squad who missed out on selection at the final cut. Expect the two centres to lock horns in this one.

Noah Croudace has been lauded by Currumbin coach Matt Geyer for his tenacity and fearless approach to a one-on-one contest.

Even if size is against him, the young Eagle is constantly up in his opposite numbers face.

And against a Bears star with international experience to his name, Croudace will need to bring that same relentless approach.

Allan Lockwood comes with plenty of pedigree in the Burleigh line up, having represented Lebanon in 2019 and the Bears’ Queensland Cup side three times last year.

The 22-year-old will be hungry for a state league recall, particularly after Esan Marsters recall into the Titans side.

What this clash means for their seasons:Currumbin showed there was a grit about their defence that was simply lacking consistency when they shutout Tugun two weeks ago.

They were unable to back up that effort against a rampant Southport, and this week’s clash will be an even greater test.

Burleigh have scored the most points this season, averaging 34 per game, with a pair of Conor Carey hat-tricks putting the Bears centre atop of the tryscorers tally.

The Eagles will need to shut that attack down from the middle if they are to wrestle their way off the bottom of the ladder. From there they will need their attack to click.

While their defence is currently fourth in the competition, having conceded just 19 points a game, their inability to convert that defence into attack has cost them dearly.

The onus will fall on halves Nash Geyer and Scott Bunt to find a spark to work with.

For Burleigh, even their unbeaten start has failed to completely impress them, and coach Matt Foster will simply be hopeful of an 80 minute effort.

Aside from their dominant display against Helensvale in round four, every Bears outing has been marred by small passages where their brilliance in defence at the start of games drops off.

Against Ormeau, their 24-0 halftime lead was quickly cut back to 12 before regaining momentum.

With Southport looming and Mudgeeraba impressing against the top sides, Burleigh will need to put together a complete performance here ahead of contests against those top line opponents.

nick.wright@news.com.au