Stuart McLennan
NSW Universities were unable to repeat their success of last year, going down 28-12 to Queensland in warm conditions at CBus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast at the weekend.
In a bruising encounter both teams had opportunities to score in the first half, but it was experienced NSW centre Josh Rizk who broke the deadlock in the 27th minute.
After a lengthy run by backrower Zac Clarke that had NSW on the front foot, Rizk found space in the middle to dart over for a try to take his side into the break leading 6-0.
The second stanza didn’t start well for the NSW students after Queensland in the 45th minute when they crashed over from dummy half to even the scores.
A number of NSW errors saw the Uni Maroons score three more tries in succession before Clarke got one back for the Uni Blues, when he barged over in the 74th minute to narrow the game a little (22-12).
A late Queensland try in the corner sealed victory for the home side.
After the match coach Peter Palmer pointed to the number of mistakes that let NSW down.
“We made way too many errors,” he said.
“You can have all the game models in place but if you don’t hold the ball on tackle one and two you aren’t going to give yourself any opportunity to win a game.”
The disappointment of the loss was somewhat softened by having six NSW players selected in the Australian Universities merit team.
The NSW players selected are pictured above (Left to Right): Josh Rizk (Western Sydney University), Jay Kirk (TAFE NSW – Wollongong), Zak Clarke (Australian College of Physical Education), Chase Chapman (Western Sydney University), Harrison Leadbitter (University of Canberra), and Nic Lenaz (Macquarie University). Photo: Supplied by Australian Universities Rugby League.
