Category Archives: GPS Rugby

Brisbanerugby, GPS Rugby

Nudge, Nudge, Blink, Blink

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On a sultry August afternoon in Brisbane’s northern suburbs, at the Behemoth of Christian Brothers St Joseph’s Nudgee College, the Round 6 clash between the undefeated Nudgee and Brisbane State High took place. BSHS students cheered their 1st XV side as they made their way onto the hallowed Ross Oval, only to be drowned out by over 130 years of history as the boarders, in school uniform, bellowed in unison from the old boys’ stand. This was their turf.

The excitement and anticipation didn’t dissipate after the kick-off as these two GPS powerhouses went toe-to-toe from the outset. Nudgee dominated with wave after wave of attack, only for the students south of the River to thwart them. These were only boys, but they played like men, throwing their teenage bodies at each other like young bulls in a pen. The deadlock was broken in the 10th minute with a well-constructed snipe down the blindside to put the butcher-stripes in for their first 5-pointer.

The first try went to Nudgee College, giving them an early 7-nil lead.

The only government-run school in this premier GPS competition wasn’t about to let the Catholics have their way and forced their way back with two converted tries of their own. They held onto this 14-7 lead almost to the end of the first half, when Nudgee scored from a lineout to claw back the margin on the stroke of halftime to trail 14-12.

Nudgee managed to cross the line on the stroke of halftime to trail BSHS 14-12.

The second half was a masterclass by the Nudgee 1st XV, as they have done all season; they ran away with sustained attack, scoring a plethora of tries through controlled kicking by their five-eighth, Chilli Smith (son of the recently departed Brian Smith) and strong running from inside-centre Bond Bradley. BSHS Coach, Stevie Kefu, proved his boys were not walkovers and stayed in the fight to the death with late tries of their own, but with a 43rd Premiership beckoning, the greatest rugby nursery of all time held firm to win 41-26. Nudgee coach Andrew Scotney can be proud of his chargers, who have reached another level since their preseason tour to South Africa, where they toppled SA schools champions Grey College 29-26 in Johannesburg.

Another dominating performance by Nudgee to stay undefeated.
Brisbanerugby, GPS Rugby, Premier Rugby, Rugby Australia

Japan Produces Good Halfbacks

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I’m sure everyone remembers the infectious Brave Blossoms’ halfback Fumiaki Tanaka. The little general made his mark on Super Rugby for the Highlanders with his speed and crisp service from behind the ruck. He was not a university prospect, but joined the Panasonic Wild Knights in 2007, where he played alongside Tony Brown, who was instrumental in bringing him to the ‘Landers (Wikipedia). At 166cm and 72 kg, he’s one of the smallest players to play international rugby, but a very inspirational one.

In Brisbane, there’s a young 20-year-old student, Risa Hayashi, playing halfback for the UQ women’s team. A fiery young prospect making her mark on the competition. I caught up with her earlier in the season at Jeeps ‘ home ground at Yoku Road, Ashgrove. Originally born in Dubai, her mum is from Kanagawa, next to Tokyo, and her father is from Osaka. She has prospects of playing in Japan.

Hayashi is not a trailblazer, though, as that honour goes to Asako “Diji” Ono. Ono also played for UQ Women’s, then went on to represent the Reds and Wallaroos at halfback. Originally, coming to Australia as a young, naive 16-year-old student chasing her dream to play rugby, she now mentors other women to better themselves. Currently teaching at Churchie, where one of her Mathematics students, Rio Shimizu, is also from Japan and is a halfback for the 1st XV team.