Queensland Country hosts the NSW Country Eagles at Bond University on the Gold Coast today. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:00pm (AEST).
What would you do if your pack is 35kg heavier and your back five are an average of five centimetres taller?
Some might think the Eagles will want to ‘set-piece’ themselves to victory.
However, one of the contrarian telltales is the selection of Tala Gray.
He was handpicked by Michael Chieka from Biarritz Olympique to join the Waratahs.
This means the Eagles are going to attack, attack, attack!
Locks: 34-year old Roarer Cam Treloar will miss Kane Douglas who suffered a hamstring injury.
Ben Matwijow moves to lock from flank, whilst Waratah Stephen Hoiles makes his first start.
They will duel with 20 year old Sam Fattal and Gold Coaster comeback kid Cameron Bracewell, who broke his back in a game four years ago. It will be a massive home game for him.
Backs: Last week, the Eagles backs were fast and dangerous.
Ex-Queanbeyan Sam Windsor combined with Gray and the impressive Eagles backs. This includes 18-year-old Andrew Kellaway who recently broke the Junior World Cup try scoring record, and is hailed as “the next Kurtley Beale.”
He and Waratah Matt Carraro scored one try each. Fullback Patrick Dellit, the same weight as Wallaby Israel Folau, also caused some damage.
Today, they will be challenged by newly formed Queensland Country backline.
This was supposed to be lead by halves Ben Lucas and Scott Gale, who were the Reds pair in their last game of the season.
Due to an ankle surgery to Lucas, Easts’ Matt Brandon will step in as the playmaker.
One matchup that will have to wait is Tala Gray vs Lolo Fakaosilea.
Fakaosilea weighs as much a Scott Higginbotham and Kieran Read, and turned 19 years old two months ago. He was also announced as a new squad member for the Queensland Reds.
Front Row: The Eagles front row is 23kg heavier than Queensland Country, but they are also five centimetres taller on average.
Country will try to use their lower centre of gravity to overcome the Eagles in the scrum.
Captains: This game is captained by centres on both sides. Reds’ veteran (with 23 Wallaby caps) Anthony Fainga’a will face Waratah Matt Carraro.
Carraro and his men will probably take advantage of their one game experience to try to disrupt and overwhelm Queensland Country in their maiden game.
Whilst there has been a healthy dose of attack in the NRC, we have seen some weak defence.
Perhaps we can see some improvement during this game, something Ant Fainga’a is known for.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:00pm (AEST).
paul craggie
Guest
I agree Rugby Stu. I stopped going to sporting events full stop because of the deafening music and continuous promotions. Why do we copy everything the American Marketing gospel dictates ? Who said the culture cringe was dead ?
Working Class Rugger
Guest
I'm not slagging of the GC as a destination or a place to live but in terms of sporting endeavours it has a history of failure or under subscription. They just don't show up. Maybe there's so much to do that they just don't have time for watching sport. The point is it isn't a great sporting location. Which is odd considering all the Victorians that have moved there over the years.
RobC
Roar Guru
It looked like they didn't want to take the lineout drive. But missed
Zero Gain
Guest
Always so easy to jump on the band wagon and slag off at the Gold Coast, isn't it. Inner city types who basically live in a filthy sewer are the best at it too. I once had a friend who lived at Potts Point about 300 metres from Kings Cross tell me that there was too much crime on the GC!
RT
Guest
I was at the game yesterday and took a mate who doesn't follow rugby and would never normally go to the game. I thought QLD country, running into a strong wind in the first half looked lethargic and it didn't help that they didn't have Faiinga at hooker (wallaby call up), lost their starting lock before the game and had a new 1/2's partnership. They stepped it up in the second 1/2 but giving away a scrum penalty after putting NSWC under pressure for 15 minutes cruelled their chances. They'll get better though. I thought the setting was fantastic, although they ran out of beer at half time and had to send out for more (can there be any greater sin at a rugby game? There were free jumping castles for the kids and the crowd was really well behaved. So different to a league crowd. I even liked the music. Frankly I think it's a real pity there won't be another game at bond on a Saturday afternoon. I thought the rugby was high quality and the NSWC passing, especially in the backs was crisp and right out in front of the runner (something Darren Coleman is known for). Sure makes a difference when guys don't have to stop for a pass behind them or reach over their heads to catch.
RobC
Roar Guru
Yes it was, thanks Don. Saw an article later on it.
RobC
Roar Guru
My brother lives in GC. He wasn't aware
Eddard
Roar Guru
Pretty poor considering it was free entry. The Gold Coast must be the worst sporting city in Australia for attendance. It's Australia's Miami in quite a few different ways.
Don
Guest
The 2nd try scorer for Qld country was actually #4 Rubin Fuimaono. Cam Bracewell was a late withdrawal. Dan Gorman came onto the bench in the #19 jersey and was subbed on for #5 Sam Fattal at around the 35th minute. From twitter: Dan Gorman on for Sam Fattal, Gorman was a late inclusion to the team due to a injury to Cam Bracewell. https://twitter.com/QLDCountry_NRC/status/505589036652584961
Don
Guest
RobC, cheers for that breakdown. Much appreciated!
Working Class Rugger
Guest
I actually believe that. From the stream the two grand stands on that side were full from the looks of it and there were quite a number of people standing on either side.
Woodsman
Guest
Quick question, right on half time qld country kicked for goal from 45 out into the wind. Wasn't one of the new rules being able to take a lineout even if the hooter had gone? It looked like they were talking to the ref for ages before the kick.
Brett McKay
Expert
Josh Mann-Rea is due back anytime Jagman..
Brett McKay
Expert
Eddard, Qld Country told me 1200 was their estimate..
Rugby stu
Guest
I know that Bond are the main bankrollers but a game against one of the Sydney teams would be a better time to play at Bond than a country derby, its just plain logical to play to country teams with passionate fans (there were a number of them that had travelled a fair distance) in the bloody country. In Toowoomba this would have been great.
Rugby stu
Guest
Hard to say maybe a thousand or so it was free so it doesn't matter as much.
1. I rather enjoyed the music watching the livestream, better than what they play at Waratahs games 2. If they played anywhere but BOND this game wouldn't have been live streamed, you need really fast internet and no one has the funds to supply a 4g usb modem, thats why most of the Sydney games are not live streamed, The grounds have no internet.... Also Bond is the major sponsor of the QLD Country side 3. good point
Eddard
Roar Guru
What would you guess the attendance was?
Rugby stu
Guest
I was there, 3 points 1. Enough of the horrible music, it really kills the atmosphere 2. Play a non-country derby at Bond, play a country derby...In the freakin country. Bond is great an all but it is very bizarre being surrounded by the overdeveloped opulent of Bond for a country derby. 3. Queensland country were really good in parts I really liked there grafting muscled up the guts performance they needed to be be better out wide and smarter tactically between the City's backs and Country's forwards it looks good for the Reds.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Perth Spirit tomorrow :) They did look good though, though Qld Country seemed a metre slower in general play.