Queensland Rugby Union today announced that inside centre Duncan Paia’aua will captain Bond University Queensland Country for the second-straight year.
Paia’aua captained Queensland Country throughout the 2017 National Rugby Championship (NRC), and was named ‘Man of the Match’ in Country’s grand final win over the Canberra Vikings in the ACT last November.
Queensland Country head coach Rod Seib said: “Duncan has been a proven performer for Country over the last few seasons and led the side well in 2017.
“He’ll have an important role to play again this season and with the nucleus of last year’s squad still remaining, it made sense to keep some consistency and stability in the leadership roles.
“With another season of Super Rugby under his belt, Duncan will have a lot to offer the group and will be a good mentor for some of the younger players coming into their first season of NRC.”
Originally from Rockhampton in Central Queensland, Paia’aua first played Rugby as a junior at Emmaus College and Colts Rugby Club.
Having signed for the St.George Queensland Reds ahead of the 2015 Super Rugby season, Paia’aua made his first appearance for Queensland Country in their final match of the inaugural 2014 season against the Melbourne Rising at AAMI Park.
With a fourth season of Super Rugby under his belt, having amassed a total of 35 Queensland caps, Paia’aua is looking forward to leading Country throughout the 2019 campaign.
“It’s special to have the chance to captain Queensland Country again in 2018, I really enjoyed the responsibility last year,” Paia’aua said.
“Queensland Country has been an important part of my development, giving me the chance to play valuable minutes and test myself against quality opposition.
“Having grown up in Rockhampton, it’s a real privilege to pull on the Country jersey and represent my Country roots.
It will be special this year to travel north to Townsville and Mackay and get involved in the local Rugby communities.”
Joining Paia’aua in the leadership group will be vice-captains Liam Wright and Hamish Stewart.
Wright was a vice-captain during last year’s NRC season and led the side in their win over the Fijian Drua in Latoka. For Stewart, now having a full season of Super Rugby under his belt, he will be an important voice for Country on the field.
“Liam and Hamish are impressive young players who were important for Queensland Country last year and both now have a full year of Super Rugby under their belts,” Seib said.
“Liam has been tested as a captain within the Queensland U20s and captained the side in Fiji last year, while Hamish will be an important voice on the field for us directing the game from flyhalf.”
Queensland Country’s 2018 campaign begins with a grand final rematch against the Canberra Vikings in the nation’s capital, the match kicking off at 5:00pm AEST on Saturday, 1 September, at Viking Park.
