GCDRU Livestream: Helensvale Hogs v Griffith Uni Colleges Knights
Watch the replay of the GCDRU grand final rematch between the Helensvale Hogs and Griffith Uni Colleges Knights.
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THE Griffith Uni Colleges Knights have claimed bragging rights in the 2019 Gold Coast District Rugby Union Grand Final REMATCH after defeating the Helensvale Hogs 45-10 on Saturday afternoon.
It’s been 13 months since the infamous high tackle that sent Helensvale Hogs captain Hayden McCaa to hospital and inspired a comeback of epic proportions as the Hogs chased down a 24-7 second-half deficit to stun favourites Griffith Uni Colleges.
Flagged by many as the rugby clash of the season following a controversial round one washout and the aforementioned, fiery 2019 grand final, it was the Griffith Uni Colleges Knights who proved too strong when the sides met for the first time since last year’s decider.
Griffith Uni Colleges Knights had the running early and carved out a 12-3 half time lead before ending with 45-10.
EARLIER :
It was the “cheap shot” that turned the 2019 Grand Final and ignited the Gold Coast’s hottest sporting rivalry.
It’s been 13 months since the infamous high tackle that sent Helensvale Hogs captain Hayden McCaa to hospital and inspired a comeback of epic proportions as the Hogs chased down a 24-7 second-half deficit to stun favourites Griffith Uni Colleges.
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Far from dampening the flames, the COVID-19 delay and a controversial round one washout have only heightened the anticipation for the most keenly awaited Gold Coast rugby clash of the season.
On Saturday the Helensvale Hogs will meet Griffith Uni Colleges Knights for the first time since the 2019 Grand Final.
“The rivalry has definitely grown in the last 12 months,” Helensvale captain and team firebrand Scott Stokes said.
“Our skipper going off when we were down 24-7 kickstarted us into playing rugby.
“It definitely turned the game in our favour.
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“The boys stood up and decided we weren’t going to take a backward step to them again.”
The script is familiar for Helensvale as they meet the undefeated Knights again but the lessons from last year ring loud in their memory.
“They looked good all of last year as well,” Stokes said.
“We’ll be going out there to stop this clean sweep they’re talking about.
“We’re not going out there to lose.
“For 80 minutes they don’t like us and for 80 minutes we don’t like them – once we cross the line it’s all on.”
Knights prop Lesi Tawake said none of the five finals campaigns he had played with Knights had ever hurt so deeply.
Avoiding that feeling in 2020 has driven Tawake’s teammates to reach new heights on the field.
“It’s been a year in the making so the boys are looking forward to it,” he said.
“We bring our A game to every team when we play but Hogs is special.”
The Gold Coast Bulletin will broadcast Helensvale Hogs v Griffith Uni Colleges Knights on goldcoastbulletin.com.au LIVE from 3.15pm.
This story will host the livestream.
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