USC Barbarians rugby union side close the curtains on unbelievable a-grade win streak

The three time Sunshine Coast A-grade rugby union champions have finally suffered their first loss in more than 690 days after stringing together one of the regions best undefeated streaks.

USC Barbadian A-grade captain Luke Kimber and head coach Brad Tronc. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The USC Barbarians A-grade side has finally suffered its first loss in more than 690 days after years of Sunshine Coast ‘dominance’.

Head coach Brad Tronc helped guide his team to an unbeaten 25 game streak spanning from round 13 of the 2022 season until round 6 of 2024.

In that time the men in green recorded back-to-back premierships, taking their overall total to three straight, as well as 966 points scored and just 325 conceded.

The incredible record came to a close over the weekend with the Barbarians going down to the Noosa Dolphins 41-26.

Tronc said he had enjoyed looking back on his side’s undefeated run.

“Noosa played well and we didn’t, so a loss had to come at some stage and it was a red hot Dolphins side that got us,” he said.

“The streak isn’t something that we’ve focused on, it was a different feeling waking up on Sunday but it was also nice to reflect.”

University Barbarians celebrate winning the 2023 Sunshine Coast A-grade final.

Since joining the club in 2019, Tronc has recorded 81 games, 66 wins, one draw, 14 losses, three minor premierships and three premierships.

He said despite the untouchable success, keeping the players grounded was a challenge.

“The message from me and our coaching staff every week has been showing them we’ve still got so much improvement in us and we still haven't reached our peak,” he said.

“We’re learning every week to become a better footy side but also better people because one of our key pillars is it’s more than just rugby.

“I think that key pillar really drives our culture because you like your wins but that’s not all we want to be judged on.”

USC Barbarians player Charlie McGovern in action. Picture: Nicole Anne Photography.

Tronc said he still felt his side had the talent to go for their fourth straight A-grade title.

“It’s a good opportunity now to see how we respond and bounce back as we still feel we have a side that can push all the way until the end.”

“This is the tightest the competition has been in a while and without sounding cocky I’d like to think we’ve set a standard for a while that some other clubs have been aspiring to.

“That’s reflected in the calibre of players coming to the region which then strengthens the competition and makes it a strong, healthy rivalry.”

Dolphins captain Levi Shaw said the home win was a major confidence boost for his side.

“It was a pretty amazing feeling to win at home against the top team and there’s plenty of belief now that we can do it, which is good,” he said.

“It’s been a very refreshing season so far, Jim (McKay) obviously comes from a very high level which helps a lot especially because it’s such a close competition this year.”

Originally published as USC Barbarians rugby union side close the curtains on unbelievable a-grade win streak