Adam Gauder will notch 100 caps for Bond
By Jordan Hughes
Reinvigorated after the bye, the Bond University Bull Sharks are ready to hit the ground running as the business end of the season fast approaches. Â
Bond are back at The Canal this weekend as they take on the Sunnybank Dragons for a crucial round 11 match up.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
Back in round two it was Bond who were too strong, coming away 31-7 victors. However in recent weeks the Dragons have had a strong resurgence in form, defeating the defending premiers UQ before narrowly going down to Brothers by one point. Their gritty two-point win over Easts Tigers last weekend is proof they should not be underestimated. Â
THE LADDER:
Bond currently sit fourth on the Hospital Cup ladder with five wins, closely trailing UQ with Brothers and Wests sitting at the top with six wins each. A victory over the seventh placed Sunnybank is critical to cementing Bonds place in the top four. A defeat could push the Bull Sharks out of the pointy end of the ladder.
WHERE WILL IT BE WON?:
Coach Grant Anderson was disappointed with the result against Easts in round nine, but his side took plenty of learnings from the loss.
“Mentally we didn’t prepare well enough for the game and lacked desire in defence but going into halftime we were right in the match heading into that second half,” said Anderson.
Like Bond, Sunnybank is a strong attacking team and can make you pay from anywhere across with the field. Anderson is confident his players have done their homework.
“The Dragons are vastly improved, and we know if you allow them to play on the front foot, they can score plenty of points.
“They have class players across the field, Tom Lucas directs them very well and they have some dangerous back-rowers who are a real threat at the breakdown,” said Anderson.
The Bull Sharks understand they need to be consistent across the full 80 minutes especially in attack and show patience when building phases.
“If we can really challenge Sunnybank’s set piece and get good go forward up the middle, there will be plenty of opportunities out wide for our outside backs.”
TEAM NEWS:
Bond will be bolstered this week with Queensland Reds player and John Eales scholarship holder Angus Blyth returning for the side. Fellow Bond Super Rugby players Alex Mafi and Zane Nongoor are only a few weeks away from returning.
Tyler Campbell will start in the flyhalf jersey with English recruit Dan Lancaster heading back overseas to take up a new contract with the Ealing Trailfinders.
“Dan has been great for us and provided real value in the 10 jersey,” Anderson said.
“Tyler will step into flyhalf this week having played a lot of 10 in his time and he demands a really high standard. I expect him to play with plenty of confidence.”
AROUND THE CLUB:
In other grades, Adam Gauder will celebrate his 100th match for the club, Gauder has been part of Bond University rugby since the club’s inception in 2014 and is one of only a handful of players to represent every grade in the club. Adam is a Bachelor of Business graduate from Bond University.
Catch Bond's first grade team kicking off at 3:05pm at The Canal followed by the Premier women starting at 5pm.