Queensland Reds flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will make his debut for new club Wests in Saturday’s clash against Easts in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup.
The presence of the young playmaker adds a plot twist to what already shapes as one of the games of the season at Sylvan Road.
The Bulldogs are riding a four-game winning streak into this one against the undefeated Tigers, who are 9-0 after missing last year’s semi-finals.
McLaughlin-Phillips will play off the bench where the Bulldogs have a fleet of super subs because centre Isaac Henry and halfback Louis Werchon will also add impact when they come on.
“I’ve been down around the club but this will be fun playing for the first time and against the top team. That’s always good,” McLaughlin-Phillips said.
“From what I’ve seen, everyone in the Wests side is a footballer so I’m looking forward to it.”
Wests coach Elwee Prinsloo said the demise of the Bulldogs was grossly overstated after a clunky 1-4 start to the season.
“We had something like 19 debuts across the first five or six rounds so it was always going to take some time to find the cohesion and purpose we’ve seen over the past five weeks,” Prinsloo said.
“Even the four games we lost, were by four points or less.
“There are some good things happening. It’s hard to change so Moses (Sorovi), Edan (Zaupa) and James (Tofa) will start (at halfback, flyhalf and inside centre) with the Reds players on the bench.
“Moses has been the glue for us at halfback. He understands how we are trying to play. He’s been a good leader while our captain Pino (Maupese) has been outstanding.”
Prinsloo gave credit to the Tigers for their hot run.
“Some have said Easts are a wet weather team but I see a multi-dimensional team. They are undefeated for a reason so this match is something we are really excited about,” Prinsloo said.
The Tigers have found big answers at the right moments whether it’s been a Will Sankey intercept try to sink Brothers, a sideline conversion from Eli Pilz to get out of jail against Sunnybank or simply patience to play the weather to beat impatient Norths.
Souths will field a Super Rugby-standard backrow when they host GPS at Chipsy Wood Oval on Saturday.
Reds flanker Seru Uru will make his debut for a third Brisbane club when he joins Reds squad-mate John Bryant and Kohan Herbert in the backrow.
SEVENS, SUSHI AND SUCCESS FOR TAHLIA
When Tahlia Evans decided on taking the plunge into rugby from netball she never quite knew where it would take her.
You can put Japan on top of that list after her recent debut with Australia A at the annual Pirika Mosiri Sevens in Sapporo where Kiwi sevens stars Sarah Hirini and Jaz Felix-Hotham played for local Japanese clubs.
Beside fellow QAS Queensland Sevens squad members Ava Wereta, Carys Dallinger, Tahli Devine and Rhani Hagan, Evans enjoyed competing at the highest level of sevens she has yet encountered.
“Playing against the Kiwi girls who won the World Series showed just how high the level is you have to reach. It was really good to be able to benchmark against that,” Evans said.
“I’ve only been playing rugby for a year after 15 years in netball.
“It was good to feel well prepared and that all the coaching and training has improved the skills I need for the right moments.”
The Aussie girls finished third with skipper Wereta leading the team.
A devoted sushi lover before the trip, Evans is now hunting for a local ramen spot in Brisbane after a daily dish in Japan.
AIC RUGBY HITS CLIMAX
Marist College Ashgrove will be chasing a first solo AIC First XV premiership since 2019 when the duel with Padua College unfolds at Banyo on Saturday.
Both schools are riding high with 6-0 seasons and the draw has presented the perfect climax in the final round.
Marist shared a premiership in the Covid-shortened 2020 season but not since 2019 has the school won a solo premiership.
That 2019 team included former Queensland Red Floyd Aubrey as well as Nick Baker, Lachlan Howse and Campbell Moller, who all progressed to the GPS top grade side.
This year, backrower Sebastian Gardner has been outstanding while hooker Josh Heinrich has carried the name of Wallaby uncle Ted into his strong pack work.
The Marist boys play a free style of rugby. Flyhalf Joe Cervetto has eight tries for the season and finished off one started from behind his own tryline.
Standout lock Will Ross has been a dominant presence for Padua while three-year First XV flyhalf Damon Humphrys and his big left boot have guided the team all season.
It's Back to Banyo day for the Padua community so a crowd will be out in force.
