Hospital Challenge Cup Preview | Sunnybank

Wed, Mar 11, 2020, 10:30 AM
Reds Media Unit
by Reds Media Unit
Sione Fukofuka has taken on the role of head coach at Sunnybank for 2020. Photo: QRU Media/Brendan Hertel.
Sione Fukofuka has taken on the role of head coach at Sunnybank for 2020. Photo: QRU Media/Brendan Hertel.

After a tough 2019, let's check in with Sunnybank to see how the side is tracking ahead of the 2020 season under new head coach Sione Fukofuka.

2019 WRAP

2019 was a difficult year for Sunnybank, with the side winning just four games to finish their campaign in eighth spot overall.

The season wasn’t without positives however, after the Bankers swooped in to claim the Bunter Bowl in the final round of the season with a win over Bond University.

2020 has brought change to Oldmac Oval, with former Easts assistant coach Sione Fukofuka taking on the role of head coach for the Dragons.

Renowned for his technical capabilities and strong Rugby IQ, Fukofuka will bring experience and direction to the side as they aim to pull themselves up from the bottom half of the ladder.

A number of new recruits have joined Fukofuka at the club, including former Souths and Queensland U20s prop Franko Abdalla.

Also in the front row will be Reds prop Dave Feao, who provided immediate impact on his return to Sunnybank midway through ast year, although he will be sidelined with injury for the opening rounds of the season.

The club has also recruited young winger Puni Ioane, the nephew of Queensland cult hero Digby, from Melbourne to bolster their outside back stocks.

Outside centre Josh Walker has taken up an opportunity to play Sevens in Russia and will be unavailable for the Bankers alongside experienced prop Moli Sooamalelagi who has moved to Sydney.

Playmakers Hayden Sargeant and Tom Lucas again loom as crucial players for the side, while a number of rising stars will be gunning for a Premier Grade berth after impressing throughout pre-season.

THE INSIDE WORD

“It’s a really good group of boys at Sunnybank, the facilities are fantastic and we’ve got a tight-knit coaching group which has come together.

“The results reflected their season last year, they struggled a bit early and then had a bit of a change midway through the season and became a lot more competitive.

“As an opposition coach and then as a coach coming in, I had a look at a few things they did well and some things that we wanted to try and focus on improving.

“I thought they finished really well, which was a testament to the group after a pretty long year.

“I don’t think it’s a surprise to say that we’ve worked reasonably hard at our conditioning and at our ability to compete for 80-minutes, regardless of what club you’re at, if you can be in the fight in the last 10-minutes of a Premier Grade game then you’re in with a chance of getting a result, so that’s been one of our major focuses in terms of work ethic.

“We want to compete in all of our games and give ourselves a chance. We had a camp two weeks ago, and we’re really focused on targeting our home games and getting results in those to repay the faith of the club.

“It’s 50% of the season, so if you can pick up your home games, you’re well on your way to that top five or six.”

  -       Sione Fukofuka

PLAYER TO WATCH

Zac Shepherd

After a frustrating 2019 filled with injury, Sunnybank second rower Zac Shepherd will be back on the paddock this season and looking to make an impact. Mobile and athletic, Shepherd has all the makings of a top lock and with player turnover aplenty at Oldmac, Shepherd will need to step up and help lead the side this year. The Brisbane State High School product has impressed plenty throughout pre-season and will look to take that momentum onto the field for the Bankers.

KEY RECRUITS

Franko Abdalla – Souths
Johnson Ioane – Auckland
Charles Makasini – Auckland
Jezzy Ioane – Easts
Puni Ioane – Melbourne
Martin Koorts – Brothers

KEY LOSSES

Moli Sooamalelagi – Sydney
Josh Walker – Russia
Will Feeney – Canada
Tim Sippel – Canada
Ahmu Tuimalealiifano – Sydney

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