The Brailsford-Brown Cup is back on the line this weekend as the Bull Sharks prepare for a high-stakes showdown against University of Queensland.
UQ currently hold the trophy — and after a narrow 12-10 loss in their last meeting, Bond are hungry to win it back.
It shapes as a classic university battle across all grades at The Canal.
The Colts 1 squad face their toughest test yet against the ladder leaders, while the Premier Women will look to settle the score after UQ executed Bond’s own blueprint to perfection last time around.
Expect open rugby, fierce contests, and a clear focus from Bond’s coaching staff on discipline, maul defence, and kicking accuracy.
Bull Sharks v UQ
Premier Men
Last time we met
Bull Sharks lost 12-10
We led at half time, but the opposition scored a couple of tries in a five-minute burst when we had a player in the bin. But we had three or four opportunities at the back end of the game to ice it and we just couldn't do it.
The opposition
They have changed their team a lot. I think there might be three players in the team who played last time we met. They have gotten a little bit bigger, but they still play a similar style.
The challenge
I expect it to be a pretty open game with a lot of tries scored. So, we have to try and shut down their routes to tries. You have to limit their counter attacking opportunities.
Shuffling the magnets
The Reds play the Lions on Wednesday, so we won’t get any of our Super Rugby players back unfortunately. But our second grade are in great form, they started poorly but have won a few in a row so we will be looking to give an opportunity to a few players from that squad who we think can help us.
The focus
They are a good mauling team, so you have to limit those opportunities. Our maul defence is something we have improved on over the season.
With Mick Heenan
Colts 1
Last time we met
Bull Sharks won 26-22
We played really well in the first half and scored just after half time to be up 26-5. We were totally dominating them and then we let them back in the game. They got momentum and we started doing things that were a little bit off the cuff. Our kicking was poor, decision making was poor, and they scored on full-time to come within four points.
The opposition
UQ are on top of the table, but they have had a couple of losses recently. They know how to score tries. They have bene beating teams by lots of points. So, by far this would be our toughest game this weekend. It is exciting.
The challenge
They like to play phases, they look after the ball, so we have to deny them those opportunities.
Shuffling the magnets
Mason King got a red card and has served three weeks, so hopefully he is back this week. He is a bit of a weapon at centre, in attack and defence. He is physical and strong and we are keen to get him back in because he is a key to our backline stability.
The focus
You have to take away UQ’s counter attack ability. We either kick the ball off the park or we put it short and put pressure on at the breakdown. Their full back is very good and they like numbers back, so we've got to be very accurate with our kicking. We found that out the hard way last time, when we kicked long and it wasn’t accurate, they cut us up.
The work to do
We’ve probably got the strongest kicking game in the competition between Sam Howarth, Callum Simpson and Jackson Jury. We will be doing a lot of work around how can we best utilise those skills to put the pressure on the opposition.
Premier Women
Last time we met
Bull Sharks lost 26-15
The Bull Sharks made a lot of mistakes that day. But the facts are that UQ were very good, and revealed a new game style modelled on the Bull Sharks’ 2022- 2024 premiership three-peat. They simply executed it better.
The opposition
UQ sit in the top 3 of a congested ladder, which reflects the challenge posed for this weekend.
The challenge
The two teams are very similar, so whoever maintains their composure and discipline and is able to execute their game plan and win the key moments, will give themselves every chance of securing vital competition points.
Shuffling the magnets
Lucy Dinnen and Abby Smith are both unavailable this weekend which leaves a gap in our back row. The strength of the Bull Sharks over several seasons is the “next one up” mentality which should ensures there is a seamless transition and it is business as usual in the engine room.
The focus
Our discipline has been a focal point this week and outside observers noticed a real 'edge' to our Tuesday night session.
The final word
It is a defining game in a season that resembles a straight out sprint. Every match counts. We know that we still have some improvement in us and that starts with our discipline. The coaches have issued a few challenges to the playing group and we are looking forward to seeing how they respond to those challenges.
With Setu Naseri