GPS Rugby 2020: TSS come from behind to keep their season alive

Southport sit equal-first on the GPS ladder with rivals Nudgee College as a season-defining match with undefeated BBC looms on Saturday.

A 60th minute try to prop Massimo De Lutiis sealed a come-from-behind victory for The Southport School’s First XV over Brisbane Grammar School in round three of the GPS rugby competition.

On a windy day in north Brisbane the Gold Coasters rallied from trailing 15-8 to win 20-15 with De Lutiis’ go-ahead score with 10 minutes to play.

It was precisely the tight fixture coach Mike Wallace expected, with the five-point winning margin the same as TSS’ last trip to Northgate in 2018.

Action from the GPS Rugby Union match between TSS and Toowoomba Grammar during their clash at Southport on the Gold Coast. Prop Massimo De Lutiis. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

Celebrations were tempered by another serious injury to a starting player, this time winger Jack Denson – the fifth player to befall that fate this season.

“That seems to be the nature of the 2020 rugby season at TSS,” the coach said.

“It’s just unfortunate, some sides have rotten luck with injuries and this year that’s us.

“The last time I had a season like this in my coaching career was back in 2003.

“We’re still hanging in there and finding ways to win games which is a sign of people with good intent.

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“We’ll continue to put out a First XV that represents TSS each week and the boys are doing their best to represent the jersey and the boys who aspire to wear it, and that’s all I can ask.”

Denson will join James Pere, Jye Grey, Jojo Fifita and Rabura Rabura in an injury ward that is testing the school’s depth.

With three wins from three games, depth at the school has risen to the challenges posed by Brisbane State High, Toowoomba Grammar and most recently Brisbane Grammar.

Winger Zac Strydom scored TSS’ opening try in the first half after absorbing pressure built by gusty conditions and a tenacious BGS side who knew how to use them.

Strydom’s strike on the left wing and a Syris Schmidt penalty goal saw TSS enter halftime behind 15-8.

Kaleb Ngamanu of TSS in action against Toowoomba Grammar during their GPS Rugby Union match at Southport on the Gold Coast. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

TSS tied the match up in the 46th minute when centre Kaleb Ngamanu beat two defenders to break into the backfield, handing off the try for winger Beau Arscott to score.

TSS broke the deadlock in the 60th with a pick and drive try to De Lutiis and refused to let Brisbane Grammar back into the game.

Southport sit equal-first on the GPS ladder with rivals Nudgee College as a season-defining match with undefeated BBC looms on Saturday.

Earlier

The Southport School must improvise, adapt and overcome in winds expected to peak at a gale force 40 knots when they take on Brisbane Grammar School at Northgate on Saturday.

The Brisbane school have won just 11 of 58 games since their fairytale 2012 premiership, the worst record in GPS rugby over that span.

In their favour, Grammar’s Northgate home ground is one of the competition’s most notoriously difficult to navigate with strong winds a constant factor.

An experienced First XV well-versed to life on a blustery Northgate pitch will pose a compelling challenge for a TSS outfit on the opposite end of the experience scale.

Just three starters from last year’s 78-0 belting on the Gold Coast will play in the return match for TSS.

“Our first challenge is that BGS are a lot more experienced than we are,” coach Mike Wallace said.

“Overcoming their experience and tenacity and desire to win is the first thing we have to address.

“It’s about being able to adapt on the run because the team who adapts better to the conditions is who comes out on top.

“Conditions are expected to be challenging – we’re talking 40 knots of straight westerly – but we’ve anticipated what that will look like and we’ve done things in training to help boys understand how to play with that wind.”

Former Reds coach Phil Mooney is the home school’s assistant to head coach Paul Warwick, a Heineken Cup-winning fullback for Munster who has returned home to Queensland.

Top level coaches are bringing the best out of the talent at their disposal, which includes junior Queensland rugby league representative players JT Manuofetoa and Kruz Rimene, who are attached to the Tweed Seagulls.

TSS backline ace Kaleb Ngamanu is well aware of the threats the No.8 and No.10 pose because he is also a member of the Seagulls Mal Meninga Cup Under-18s program.