Nerang’s ‘Maori Rugby’ power pushes Surfers to the brink

Surfers Paradise Dolphins pulled off a rugby miracle to stun Nerang Bulls with a last-gasp, final play backline strike to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Delouise Hoeter in action during the Intrust Super Cup match between Wynnum Manly Seagulls and PNG Hunters. (Photo: Wynnum Manly Seagulls / Patrick Kearney)

Surfers Paradise Dolphins pulled off a rugby miracle to stun Nerang Bulls with a last-gasp, final play backline strike to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Dolphins trailed 17-20 on home turf when time expired before a desperate passage of play yielded a contender for try of the year.

Centre Delouise Hoeter’s individual effort from 50 metres out, leaving a trail of beaten defenders in his wake, saved his team’s undefeated start to the season in a thrilling conclusion to the match.

While his playing group celebrated, coach Rangi Joseph admitted he was disappointed that underdogs Nerang couldn’t hold on at the end.

Delouise Hoeter in action during the Intrust Super Cup match between Wynnum Manly Seagulls and PNG Hunters. (Photo: Wynnum Manly Seagulls / Patrick Kearney)

“We didn’t deserve to win that game at all,” the Dolphins coach said.

“We needed a shake-up, which they did give us, but I don’t think our boys took the game seriously.

“Nerang played awesome – their style reminded me of Maori rugby from New Zealand, hard, gritty, play what’s in front of you.

“They played with heart and a lot of soul and they taught us a lesson.

“One of our players pulled a rabbit out of the hat at the end but by a long shot Nerang deserved to win.

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“The truth is I’m disappointed they didn’t.”

Hoeter’s matchwinner was bittersweet for Joseph because his individual effort risked papering over the cracks exposed in his Dolphins line-up by the plucky Bulls.

The Dolphins concentration waxed and waned throughout the match while some forwards looked completely lost on the field, the coach said.

He vowed his players would be in for the toughest training session of their season when they returned to the club on Tuesday night.

Surfers Paradise Captain Jeff Williams during the Gold Coast Rugby Union Captains media call for the 2020 Rugby launch at Burleigh Heads. Photo Scott Powick Newscorp

New recruit Geoff Williams will not be joining them after an accidental kick to the head sent him to the hospital with bleeding on the brain in the second half.

The prop spent the remainder of the weekend in hospital while Joseph babysat his daughter.

Williams will take a mandatory two-week stand-down while he recovers from his concussion.

At Helensvale, Coomera Crushers took another step in the right direction despite a close loss to their reigning champion hosts.

The Crushers led the Hogs 8-7 at halftime but couldn’t land the knockout blow.

Palm Beach Currumbin defeated Bond Pirates 24-14 while Griffith Uni College Knights accounted for Gold Coast Eagles 59-17.