GPS Rugby 2020: TSS stun Nudgee with epic comeback win

The Southport School have overcome a 14-point second half deficit to stun rivals Nudgee College in the first trial match of the GPS Rugby season, 24-21.

The Southport School have overcome a 14-point second half deficit to stun rivals Nudgee College in the first trial match of the GPS Rugby season, 24-21.

Nudgee led by two converted tries with 10 minutes to play in a shortened 60 minute fixture.

An epic seven minute blitzkrieg yielded three tries to swing the match back to extend TSS’ undefeated streak to 679 days.

Centre Jojo Fifita’s late double, accompanied by a score to debutant winger Jack Denston, turned the tide to shock the home school in another worthy instalment of Queensland’s top schoolboy rivalry.

“It was your stock-standard Nudgee-TSS game,” Southport coach Mike Wallace said.

“The 150 people who were here probably got to see one of the better games of GPS rugby in in the last 20 years.

“These conditions were tough and Queensland kids don’t usually know how to deal with them but that was an outstanding game of rugby.

“We have some growing to do and we were naive in some areas but that’s what trials are for, you learn and move forward.

JoJo Fifita, The Southport School. TGS vs The Southport School, GPS rugby union. Saturday, 10th Aug, 2019.

“We have another trial next week to improve on some things we didn’t do well and continue to grow the things we did do well.”

It took 30 minutes for either side to break the deadlock in the first hitout of the season.

Rookie prop Carson Patu crossed for the first try of his First XV career from close-range after a bust by man of the match Fifita.

Nudgee’s fightback piled on three tries within 15 minutes, to prop Will Jones, scrumhalf Oscar Varrichio and flyhalf Ben Dalle Cort either side of the second break period.

Desperate defence from replacement winger Beau Arscott saved TSS from a knockout blow.

His critical tackle resulted in a 14-point swing when Jojo Fifita scooped up a loose ball to dash 80 metres untouched to keep his side in the game with 10 minutes to play.

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A yellow card to Nudgee’s winger from the ensuing kick-off left his wing unguarded for Jack Denston to run in a 40 metre blindside strike to bring TSS within two points.

Arscott swung into action again in the final minute, pouncing on a Caleb Ngamanu grubber kick and offloading to Fifita and support for the go-ahead score.

Fifita’s two tries turned the match but Denston’s impact, with a try and two try-saving tackles in the opening 30 minutes, were just as important.

Arscott’s injection off the bench and the tough tackling of hooker Harry Vousty deserve praise.

The Southport School open their GPS season on August 8 against Brisbane State High School in Brisbane.