Queensland Premier Rugby Semi-Finals Preview
The Queensland Premier Rugby semi-finals kick off on Sunday as the best of the competition converge on Ballymore for back-to-back action.
The major semi-final kicks off at 3:05 pm with the University of Queensland set to face off against GPS. UQ won 15 of their 16 matches in 2017 and looked set to record a perfect season before the Gallopers knocked them off in Round 17. That result set the scene for a thriller at Ballymore on Sunday as both sides look to book their place in the grand final.
If you can’t make it out to Ballymore, this match will be live streamed via both Facebook LIVE and www.redsrugby.com.au.
At 5:05 pm, Sunnybank and Wests will go head-to-head in the minor semi-final. It’s knock-out footy at Ballymore as Wests make their first finals appearance in 10 years. The Dragons are experienced at this end of the season after knocking off Souths in last year’s minor. This match will also be live streamed, but make sure you get out to Ballymore to catch all the action.
Preview the weekend’s matches and gain further insight into the competition in the Queensland Premier Rugby Weekly digital program: http://bit.ly/QPRSemiFinals
To view the competition ladder, follow this link: http://bit.ly/PremGradeLadder
University of Queensland v GPS, Major Semi-Final, Ballymore Stadium, kick-off 3:05pm
The Queensland Premier Rugby major semifinal will see the Red Heavies and the Gallopers go head-to-head at Ballymore. University had a near-perfect 2017 campaign, that ended with their second-straight Horsley Cup after suffering just one loss out of 16 matches. Mick Heenan’s Heavies haven’t tasted Hospital Cup success since 2014 and will still be reeling from last year’s 31-28 Grand Final loss to Brothers. They hit the ground running in 2017 and looked certain to record a perfect season before GPS stopped them in their tracks at Yoku Road two weeks ago.
With Anthony Mathison taking the reins in 2017, GPS has risen after a couple of lean years to record 12 wins from their 16 outings. While UQ may have claimed the minor premiership, the fact is, GPS are the form side in the competition. Having not lost since Round 11, when they blew a massive lead to go down 31-29 to Norths, GPS will enter the finals series on a six-game winning streak.
GPS rested some of their weapons in the last round of the regular competition while UQ fielded a near full-strength side that was set on ironing out any kinks from Round 17. To avoid another major semifinal upset at Ballymore, UQ will focus on an improved set-piece performance because GPS pack will go hunting in tight. With the Gallopers first Hospital Cup since 1996 within arm’s reach and UQ eager to avenge last year’s finals slip up the stage is set for a thriller at Ballymore on Sunday afternoon.
University of Queensland: Pat Fepuleai, Campbell Wakely, Tony Cusack, Phil Potgieter, Sam Pim, Angus Scott-Young, Jack De Guingand, Jack Cornelsen, Moses Sorovi, James Dalgleish, Harry Parker, Alex Horan, Nathan Russell, Gareth Kalell, Jock Campbell
Head coach: Mick Heenan
GPS: Laione Mulikihaamea, Ryan Freney, Fred Burke, Radike Samo, Dan Gorman, Michael Richards, Waita Setu, Mitch King, Nick Frisby, AJ Alatimu, Eric Vasukicakau, Maaloga Konelio, Todd Winkley, Chris Kuridrani, Pat Nicholson
Head coach: Anthony Mathison
Sunnybank v Wests, Minor Semi-Final, Ballymore Stadium, kick-off 5:05 pm
In the minor semi-final, Sunnybank and Wests will wrestle for a place in next week’s preliminary final. It’s all too familiar for the Dragons who knocked off Souths in last year’s minor before falling short by one point to UQ in the preliminary. In 2017, they’ve shown patches of brilliance and won eight of their 16 outings. Under head coach Damon Virtue, Sunnybank clearly has an attacking mindset which sets the scene for an exciting match at Ballymore because Wests love to throw the ball around.
The Bulldogs are dangerous in broken play and enter this do-or-die clash with all the momentum after four-straight wins over Sunnybank, Bond University, Brothers, and Norths. Head Coach Pat Byron has steered Wests to their first finals appearance in 10 years and will have an entire club riding his side throughout this finals series.
While Sunnybank’s run into finals hasn’t been as smooth, they’ll be better for last week’s tight loss to Brothers. The Dragons are experienced at this end of the season and will know what is required to win on Sunday. Neither Wests or Sunnybank believe the regular season has much bearing on Sunday’s game despite the Bulldogs winning both encounters between the two. It’s knock-out footy on Sunday and whichever side lifts for the occasion will return to Ballymore next week.
Sunnybank: Franko Abdalla, Moli Sooaemalelagi, Feao Fotuaika, Josh Fenner, Nathan Den Hoedt, David Findlay-Henaway, Chazz Mahina, Jeffrey Faamausili, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Jake Strachan, Joey Fittock, Isaac Lucas, Henry Taefu, Ritchie Ah Chong, Junior Laloifi
Head coach: Damon Virtue
Wests: Misioka Timoteo, Cody Blackhurst, Ausetalia Vaiomanu, Connor Anderson, Spencer Walmsley, Jeremiah Lynch, Alec Fontalvo, Dillon Wihongi, Liam Dillon, Paul-Eti Slater, Ed Fidow, Larry Hermens, Lachlan Maranta, Filipo Daugunu, Byron Hutchinson
Head coach: Pat Byron
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