The Bull Sharks Colts 1 side will make their return to the Queensland premier Rugby final this weekend.
Captain Charlie McCauley, winger Hunter Robinson and back rower Fergus Gillan are key players in coach Rico Gear's program.
We asked the three Bond University students what life was like playing under the All Blacks legend and how they felt about the challenge ahead.
What can you tell us about Rico Gear as a coach? How has it been working with him this season?
Fergus: “It has been great working with Rico this season, as he brings so much knowledge and experience to the group, due to him playing at the highest level of rugby in the past. Rico always manages to get the team on the same page and has a very calm attitude, which I believe helps this team that we have out a lot.”
Charlie: “Rico has been fantastic for me in the last two years of having him as the Colts 1 coach. He brings a wealth of experience to the group and has a very composed style of coaching. I have learned a lot as a player and a leader from Rico. His influence on the group has been a huge factor in our success this year.”
Hunter: “Knowing that Rico has played rugby at such a high level gives me trust in what he says. Specifically, for me, he played a lot of his rugby at wing which is the position that I've been playing this season, and he's always giving me really good insights into what I can do to improve playing at a position that he is so familiar with.”
Is the Bull Sharks Rugby program as good as you thought it would be?
Fergus: “I had high expectations coming into Bond’s rugby program and it has definitely lived up to those. The amazing facilities such as the gym and recovery baths out at the BIHS as well as the amazing coaching has really made the experience great.”
Charlie: “It’s fantastic. The facilities are second to none and the support from both the university and the rugby administration is fantastic. There is no other club I’d want to play for.”
Hunter: “Coming into this new rugby program this year I wasn't really sure what to expect. But it has been run pretty well, the training sessions are organised well and we have a really good gym coach and gym sessions as well as recovery sessions.”
What’s the belief like in the team heading into these finals?
Fergus: “The belief in this team is high heading into this finals series. Although we have worked hard for it, we all know that this opportunity is one we have been given and we are not going to take it for granted.”
Charlie: “The belief is really high. All the boys are really keen for the occasion, and I can tell that there is a lot of confidence in the group. With a lot of them having their first taste of finals footy, there is naturally some nerves, but we’ve had some great sessions this week and are well prepared.”
Hunter: “I think as a group of boys we have a really big belief that we can go all the way and hopefully win the finals. I think we all trust each other out on the field, and we all get along really well which will go a long way in getting these results.”
Do you have any team superstitions that play out before each game?
Fergus: “Not anything I can think off.”
Charlie: “Before games, Harry Bell gets someone to do a dog bark and then everyone joins in. It’s a bit of fun before we run out and gets us energised before the games. How did Harry come up with it? Who would know.”
Hunter: “I don't think we have any crazy superstitions but we just really like to get the energy up before the game, we know we've done all the preparation we need to do, on the day it's all about which team shows up with the most energy.”
How are you enjoying this season?
Hunter: “I am enjoying this season as we have a great group of guys in the Colts program, and this season I've had a lot of fun while also playing some really high-level rugby.”
Charlie: “It’s actually been a pretty tough season, with a lot of players battling prolonged injuries. It has been a big challenge to keep all our boys on the field. I think that’s why we are so excited for this finals opportunity. It’s good to know that we’ve been able to overcome the adversity and make a finals appearance.”
Hunter: “I'm really enjoying the season. The team is a great group of boys who all get along really well and I think we've all been improving constantly as individuals and as a team which is really exciting.”
Which players do you think will make their mark in these finals?
Fergus: “I think a player who has been one of our best all season, Sam Howarth our 9, will continue his great form and make a mark in these finals. He has been instrumental for us in both attack and defence, and he is also a great leader.”
Charlie: “The boys in the front row Nikotimo Mateiwai, Ollie Barret and Harry Bell will be huge for us. We get huge dominance from their scrum wins and it takes the pressure off our backs. Our outside backs especially Hunter Robinson and Ieuan Cornelius will be key, both have great speed to show and have been assets all season.”
Hunter: “In the backs I think Callum Simpson and Blake Raymond have been really good throughout the whole season and I'm sure that they will continue this form into the finals. And the forwards, our front row of Harry Bell, Nikotimo Mateiwai and Ollie Barrett have been super dominant in the scrums throughout the year. In super close, tough games being able to win set piece will make a big impact.”