Bond Rugby Club’s honour roll is due for an update after Wilson Blyth and Joey Fittock became the latest Bull Sharks to be capped for Queensland.
The duo came off the bench in the Reds’ 55-30 victory over Saitama Wild Knights in the inaugural Queensland-Saitama Shield match at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.
Bull Sharks lock Angus Blyth - Wilson’s brother - captained the Reds in the first game between the two clubs since 1991.
Bond rugby coach Grant Anderson said the experience would have given the pair great confidence and should also serve as an inspiration to their Bull Sharks teammates at what can be achieved with hard work.
“They will get a lot of confidence from that, and I think they will go into next year with the belief they are certainly not out of place at that level,” he said.
“It can also have a positive effect across the group because it just goes to show that with the program we have here, if you work hard enough and perform well you will get the opportunity.’’
Anderson said Blyth had transformed himself over the past two seasons into a physical presence at club level and now had the game to play at the higher level.
“He looked at home in that environment, his set piece at line out was good and he defended really well,” he said.
“He has worked hard on his physicality the past two seasons, and it is really starting to show.’’
Fittock played twenty minutes on the wing and although he did not receive many attacking opportunities, Anderson said he had defended strongly.
“Joey has kept working on his game, putting his name up there with consistent form and it is a reward for his persistence that he finally gets a Reds cap,” he said.
Queensland Reds 55
Tries: Matt Faessler 2, Kalani Thomas 2, Suliasi Vunivalu 2, Harry Wilson 2, Sam Wallis
Conversions: Isaac Henry 5
Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights 30
Tries: Kyohei Yamazawa 2, Akira Takeyama 2
Conversions: Kyohei Yamazawa 2
Penalties: Kyohei Yamazawa 2