Bond University Queensland Country side named for NRC semi-final

Bond University Queensland Country head coach Rod Seib has named his side for their National Rugby Championship (NRC) semi-final clash with the Western Force, which will be played at Bond University Rugby Club this Sunday, kick-off at 2:00pm AEST. 

From the match-day 23 that ran out against NSW Country in Tamworth last weekend, Seib has named a relatively unchanged line-up, only shuffling his frontrow to account for the loss of hooker Alex Casey, who will miss the match through injury. 

Easts prop Kirwan Sanday will earn his first start of the 2018 season at tight-head, seeing James Slipper shift to loose-head. 

In the reserves, Souths prop Jake Simeon has been recalled to the side while regular loose-head Richie Asiata, who returned to play late in the second half against NSW Country at hooker after both Efi Ma’afu and Casey suffered injuries, has been named as cover for Ma’afu.

Inside centre and captain Duncan Paia’aua has also been given the all clear ahead of the match, after leaving the game against the NSW Country during the first half under concussion protocol. 

Sunday’s match will be Country’s second straight home semi-final, having last year accounted for the Fijian Drua in Toowoomba to earn their place in the 2017 grand final. 

Country faced the Western Force at Bond back in Round 4, suffering a narrow 42-40 loss which saw both sides cross for six-tries-a-piece. With a potential grand final spot on the line, another close match can be expected. 

“Sunday’s match provides a tough challenge for our side,” said Seib. 

“The Force are a good team and are deserving of their place in the final. The last time we played them at Bond they tested our side and narrowly handed us one of two losses for the season. The team took a lot of learnings from that match. 

“We’ve been lucky since then to welcome back some experience to the side with Chris Feauai-Sautia returning from injury and Caleb Timu from Wallabies duties. We’ve also been able to keep a lot of consistency in our squad throughout the season which has greatly assisted with combinations and cohesion. 

“After losses to the Force and Brisbane City, the team knew if we were to put ourselves in a position to host a home semi-final we needed to secure bonus point wins over the Sydney Rays and NSW Country in our final two matches. 

“The group came through and delivered and they’ve now got an opportunity this weekend to potentially push through to their second consecutive grand final. It’s going to be a great clash with the Force and I would encourage the Gold Coast Rugby community to come out and show their support.” 

Queensland Country will play the Western Force in their semi-final clash at 2:00pm on Sunday afternoon at Bond University Rugby Football Club, tickets will be $5.00 available at the gate with children under-12 free. The match will be broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports CH503.

Queensland Country side to face NSW Country:  
 
1. James Slipper – Bond University/Gold Coast
2. Effi Ma’afu - Wests
3. Kirwan Sanday - Easts
4. Harry Hockings – Reds/University of Queensland – Bowen
5. Angus Blyth – Reds/Bond University – Gold Coast
6. Angus Scott-Young – Reds/University of Queensland 
7. Tom Kibble - GPS
8. Caleb Timu – Reds/Souths 
9. James Tuttle – Reds/GPS 
10. Hamish Stewart – Reds/Bond University – Pittsworth
11. Chris Feauai-Sautia – Souths 
12. Duncan Paia’aua – Reds/Norths - Rockhampton
13. Jordan Petaia - Reds/Wests
14. Filipo Daugunu - Reds/Wests 
15. Jock Campbell - University of Queensland – Gold Coast
 
Reserves
16. Richie Asiata - Easts
17. Harry Hoopert - Reds/Brothers – Jondaryn
18. Jake Simeon – Souths 
19. Rob Puli’uvea – Wests 
20. Harry Wilson – Brothers
21. Tate McDermott – Reds/University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast
22. Tom Lucas – Sunnybank/Rockhampton 
23. Patrick James - Brothers