Bull Sharks coach Mick Heenan has urged his men to “bite down in our mouthguards” and show some grit in the Brailsford-Brown Cup grudge match against UQ.
The Bull Sharks currently hold the Brailsford-Brown Cup but will face a resurgent UQ side that are fresh off a win over 2024 grand finalists Wests.
Bond v UQ at UQ
Premier Men
Last time we met
Rd 18, 2024. Draw 31-31 at UQ.
We beat them and drew with them last year to retain the Brailsford-Brown Cup. And because of the rivalry between the two clubs, they will be desperate to get the points this weekend.
The opposition
Norths put 70 points on the students in round two and then they came back and beat Wests. So that was a massive turnaround for them. They will be tough. They are a similar profile to us and play a similar game style so it will be who executes best on the day.
Shuffling the magnets
We hope to welcome our new scrum half, New Zealander Liam Daniela into the side for his first game for the Bull Sharks. He has been rehabilitating a calf injury.
The focus
I think we will have an advantage up front against UQ. I think our scrum can be a strength.
The challenge
For us, we can’t really be too bothered about the opposition yet and what they are going to bring. If we can just build pressure, which we haven’t been able to do on any team, we have enough talent to trouble any opposition.
The final word
The expression I’ve heard recently is “bite down in our mouth guard” which is about showing some grit and keep turning up. I look at the Brumbies v Reds game the other week. The Brumbies went out with a simple game plan, they embraced grinding away, and it was too much for the Reds to handle. We haven’t been prepared to do the same type of work.
With Mick Heenan
Colts 1
Last time we met
Rd 18, 2024. Bull Sharks won 38-31
We beat them in the last game to make the semis last year. We were both fighting for the last spot in the finals, so I’m sure they will be keen to get one over us.
The opposition
I think we find we generally have strengths in similar positions and play a similar style of rugby. That is why the recent games between us have been so close.
The danger man
Their captain Raife McKenzie is a very good player. We will have to keep a close eye on him.
Shuffling the magnets
Blaze Moana is strong player who has been called up to the Reds U20s. He’s one that’s coming through the ranks and we hoping to get him int the side at hooker.
The Focus
We must tidy up our ball security. It has been good but in tight games it can be the difference. We also need to tighten up our lineout, but to be fair we have had Lachie Smith playing out of position at hooker. He is doing a good job but doesn’t have that throwing experience. Blaze Moana will help us with that once he’s in the side.
Premier Women
Last time we met
Rd 18, 2024. Bull Sharks won 33-12
We entered that game in great form. We had been scoring heavily, and we kept it going right through the finals.
The opposition
I think we’ll find UQ are a much tougher proposition this time around. They have started the season well and are equal with us on the ladder with two wins and a loss.
One to watch
Taubasa Sasagawa is a new player from Japan who has joined the Bull Sharks. She debuted last round against Easts, and we’re excited to see how she progresses as she settles into Premier Rugby.
Shuffling the magnets
We are hoping premiership back Eva Doblo can push for selection after overcoming a finger injury that has kept her out of action until now.
The focus
We’ve been working hard on making sure we always have players supporting the ball carrier. We are hopeful this will be a feature of our performance this week.
With Lawrence Faifua