Scott Wisemantel recalls Japan upset of South Africa at 2015 Rugby World Cup for Bond colts

BOND University’s colts reserves have had a timely pep talk from a man who knows all about rugby upsets ahead of their grand final against Brothers on Saturday morning.

BOND University’s colts reserves have had a timely pep talk from a man who knows all about rugby upsets ahead of their grand final against Brothers on Saturday morning.

Scott Wisemantel, who was part of the coaching staff that oversaw Japan’s incredible defeat of South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, headed along to the Bullsharks’ final training session on Thursday night to provide some words of inspiration.

Wisemantel bases himself in the Northern Rivers region when he is not coaching overseas – most recently being England’s attack coach.

“He came in and spoke to the boys about when Japan beat South Africa, the underdogs taking on the giants, that kind of theme,” said Bond coach Will Cotterill.

It’s a relevant theme given that Cotterill’s side scraped into finals in fourth place while Brothers have been beaten just once all year and secured direct entry to the 10.35am decider at Ballymore by steamrolling University of Queensland 71-5 in the major semi-final a fortnight ago.

Bond University's John Nucifora. Picture: Supplied

“It would be a dream come true, to sneak into fourth spot and win the trophy at the end of it,” said Cotterill, whose squad has many players still with another two years left in the under-19 division.

The side have been led by Keahn Tipu since the midway point of the season, when flyhalf John Nucifora – the younger brother of Bond premier grader Harry – bumped initial captain Mitch Currie to the bench.

“He has got a really mature head on his shoulders and a lot of natural football ability and he has still got another year of colts next year,” Cotterill said of Tipu.

Bond’s top graders presented their young clubmates with their grand final jerseys on Thursday night.

The Queensland Premier Rugby final will be contested on Sunday between UQ and GPS.