Tuesday 18th March

Gold Coast Junior Gold Cup sides again shared the spoils in their round 4 clashes with Brisbane Orange at Logan Rugby Club last Sunday. Needing to secure a win to stay alive in the competition, the Gold Coast U15’s posted a 29-19 victory to move to third place with three wins and a loss. Tries to Lone Tietie, Daniel Burns and Jedd Percival and a double to fullback Josh Walker blew Brisbane Orange away with two conversions to Noah Lolesio sealing the win. Head Coach Adrian Blundell was happy with the win away from home but admitted similar patterns are emerging in each match. ‘We are capable of playing flawless Rugby then drop into patches of mistake ridden play. We scored three tries in 10 minutes and then basically fell asleep and allowed Orange back into the match,’ said a frustrated Blundell. Gold Coast currently sit behind Brisbane Yellow and Western Australia but will win Pool D if they can record a big victory over North Coast with a bonus point this weekend. Brisbane Yellow will also need to lose to Brisbane Orange, so points differential may also come into play. In the U17’s late changes disrupted Gold Coast’s preparation but the team created ample try scoring opportunities in their 21-5 loss. The result was extremely disheartening as the coaching staff saw many line breaks fail to finish with points. Going into the match without quality players in Nic White, Jamison Quirk, Brendan Harris, Sifa Lord & Navar Herbert really tested the depth of the Gold Coast squad but the players responded to the challenge. Head Coach Garrick Morgan again praised his side for their efforts but cursed the player’s lack of concentration and execution at crucial stages. “We were no doubt the better team in most facets but failed to capitalise on line breaks. As we fatigued we went away from our plan and failed to build necessary pressure on Orange,’ added Morgan. David Feliuai scored the lone try for Gold Coast who again proved they have the talent to match it with the best U17 teams across the country. Unfortunately Gold Coast have missed the chance of making the playoffs but will be fired up for a good performance against North Coast at Griffith University Colleges this weekend.

Murray Archibald

Tuesday 11th March

GOLD COAST SHARE SPOILS WITH WA IN JGC ROUND 4

Gold Coast Junior Gold Cup sides shared the spoils in their Round 4 matches against Western Australia at Surfers Paradise on Saturday night with two outstanding matches keeping spectators enthralled. The Gold Coast U15’s secured a last gasp 12-6 victory when replacement flanker Ryan Briggs pounced on a charge down kick to score under the posts with only minutes remaining. The score had been 6-5 to Western Australia for most of the second half but good field position and persistent pressure resulted in the match winner. The match was an outstanding exhibition of youth Rugby at its best with Western Australia defending everything Gold Coast could throw at them. The game was in the balance from the outset and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed the free flowing style employed by both sides. Head Coach Adrian Blundell was a relieved man after the nail biter and praised his players for their full 60 minute commitment. “WA were a quality side but full credit to our guys, they never gave up and deserved their victory,’ said Blundell. Winger Koen Dovey opened the scoring for Gold Coast with a magnificent try with centre Noah Lolesio contributing a conversion. Lolesio was outstanding for the home side with great support from front rower Phrancis Sula-Siaosi. In the U17’s Gold Coast were confronted by the competition favourites and pushed their opponent’s right to the wire in a physical encounter. Once again the match was evenly contested with Gold Coast down 5-0 at halftime before a penalty goal and late try to WA pushed the match beyond reach. A brilliant individual effort from halfback Hayden Sargeant brought the scores to 15-5 but it was all too late for Gold Coast who will rue the sending off of Jonah Haas late in the first half when they were starting to get on top in all facets. Gold Coast Head Coach Garrick Morgan was again proud of his troop’s performance. “The WA pack was very physical but our boys took them on and until we lost a player, were definitely on top,’ said Morgan. Morgan also praised the efforts of his backline, especially David Feliuai, Tipene Mavoa and Joseph Bax in midfield. Gold Coast sit midfield in both age competitions with two matches remaining and it seems unlikely they will make the playoffs. They take on Brisbane Yellow in Logan this weekend before their final Junior Gold match at Colleges on Sunday 23rd March.

Monday 3rd March

GOLD COAST TO TAKE ON BEST OF WEST IN JUNIOR GOLD CUP

Round three of the Junior Gold Cup competition heads to Surfers Paradise Rugby Club on Saturday night as the U15’s & 17’s prepare to take on Western Australia as the locals continue their charge for a semi final berth. The U15’s are fresh off a fantastic 32-5 victory over Central QLD at Helensvale a fortnight ago and will look to continue their positive style of play against our west coast visitors. Coach Adrian Blundell hopes his charges will continue their attacking style of play which resulted in six tries in their last outing. “If we can present quality ball we have the potential to play an exciting brand of Rugby. With our set pieces improving, our forwards are growing in confidence and really set a platform for the backs to play from against Central QLD,’ said Blundell. Noah Lolesio has been a standout in midfield and will again control that area of the game in both attack and defence. He has been well supported by Egan Siggs who has shouldered the brunt of the work up front in the first two outings. The Gold Coast U17’s, currently on top of Pool D, need more application in all facets from the Central QLD match to play to their potential. Coach Garrick Morgan didn’t over-react to the close 8-3 win but admitted ill discipline isn’t helping. ‘Central QLD were a good side but our lack of attention to the basics kept them in the contest. Western Australia will take any opportunity we give them so we need to be mentally switched on,’ he added. Gold Coast will welcome the return of backrowers Jamison Quirk and Chase Perkins who returns from a head injury suffered in the trials. The squad will look to Navar Herbert and captain Nick White for inspiration as they take on an unknown quantity in Western Australia. The visitors have a brutal campaign to overcome so injuries could be a telling factor. Western Australia play five matches in six games as they kick off their east coast tour against Central QLD in Rockhampton on Wednesday night. They back up two days later against Brisbane Orange before consecutive matches against Gold Coast and North Coast. Their final match is against Brisbane Yellow on Tuesday. Matches kick off at Surfers Paradise Rugby Club on Saturday at 6pm with the U15’s and 7.30pm with the U17’s.

Murray Archibald

Monday 24th February

A good crowd of approximately 400 saw Gold Coast Junior Gold U15 & 17 squads bounce back from mixed first round results to record two excellent victories against Central QLD at Helensvale on Friday evening. The U15’s set the tone for the night with a comprehensive 32-5 victory that included six tries with Josh Walker again crossing the stripe for his third try in two matches. Other tries went to Peni Kacimaiwai, Lone Tietie, Xavier Toia, Noah Lolesio and Ashley Marsh. U15 Head Coach Adrian Blundell was pleased with the turnaround and the commitment from his team. ‘It was a totally different team attitude tonight and that reflected on the scoreboard. Our scrum was much better which provided quality ball for some entertaining attack,” he added. The U17’s struggled against a very committed Central QLD and despite at one stage looking likely of recording an easy win, limped home 8-3. Zac Newton posted the first try after excellent ball retention but ill discipline and a mountain of penalties kept the visitors in touch at halftime 5-3. Joseph Bax slotted a penalty goal early in the second stanza but failure to take advantage of a strong breeze to gain field position again kept the visitors in the match. Gold Coast Head Coach Garrick Morgan was pleased with the win but concerned at the lapses in concentration at key moments. “It is a work in progress but we need to be more disciplined at the tackle contest. We created plenty of opportunities and to not capitalise on them was disappointing,; said Morgan. Gold Coast have a week off before they take on Western Australia at Surfers Paradise on Saturday 8th March. Murray Archibald

Thursday 20th February

Gold Coast take on Central QLD at Helensvale in the second round of the Junior Gold Cup competition this Friday night and desperately need two victories to keep their hopes of a semi final playoff on track. Central QLD are yet to contest a match in the competition and will be fresh as they embark on a three game road trip to play NSW North Coast on Sunday and then Brisbane Yellow on Tuesday. Gold Coast U17’s are struggling to shake injuries with vice captain Jamison Quirk in doubt with a shoulder injury. The squad had a solid defensive hitout on Tuesday and look prepared to put in a solid performance. The U15 squad are determined to make up for their disappointing first round loss to Brisbane Yellow and trained impressively during the week. A more effective scrum and disciplined display with ball in hand should build confidence and a much improved performance is expected. No doubt playing in front of a parochial home crowd will inspire the boys to their first Junior Gold wins.

Monday 17th February

‘Gold Coast kicked of their Junior Gold Cup campaign with mixed results against Brisbane Yellow last weekend with the U17 snatching a last ditch 17-17 draw and the U15’s going down 27-19. The U17 boys had the honour of playing the very first match of the first Junior Gold competition and surprised their more fancied rivals with tenacious defence and unlimited spirit. Despite a lack of possession, Gold Coast kept bouncing back and had a conversion attempt after the bell to secure a deserved victory. Navar Herbert and David Feliuai were standouts for Gold Coast who now turn their attention to a second round clash with Central QLD. The U15 match followed a similar pattern with the lead changing hands on several occasions. However Gold Coast were the own worst enemies and eventually poor ball control and lack of field position caught up. Payne Haas and Josh Walker were Gold Coasts best performers. Both teams training focus will be on set pieces as both struggled to secure quality possession from scrums and lineouts.”

Match Report. Murray Archibald

Gold Coast Junior Gold Cup squads contested trials at Surfers Paradise yesterday in with the U15’s defeating Darling Downs 35-10 and the U17’s drawing 15-15 with Bond Rugby Colts. Some entertaining Rugby was played and provided the Junior Gold coaches an opportunity to fine tune areas in preparation for the round 1 matches against Brisbane Yellow with the u17 squad playing Friday Feb 14, 5.30pm KO at Ballymore. The u15 squad will play Sunday Feb 16, 1pm KO at Ballymore. Come and support your team

Monday December 2, 2013

1. Training – last training session will be Thursday 19th December. JGC training recommences on Monday 13th January at TSS from 4-5.30pm for both U15 & U17 squads

1. Player Levy – The ARU JGC Player Levy of $660 is due. The following dates and instalment amounts are :

• Friday 20th December - $200

• Friday 24th January - $260

• Friday 7th February - $200

The ARU JGC bank account details will be available soon.

1. Life Skills Session – The ARU’s Michael Jeh will be presenting a life skills including social networking and privacy at TSS on Thursday 30th January from 6 – 8pm following S & C training. This is a compulsory session for all Gold Coast JGC players.

1. GCDRU Clubs support – all GCDRU Rugby clubs have been asked to support JGC players from their club with a contribution toward their player levies. Players and parents are advised to consult their club Presidents to discuss this initiative.

1. Hosting JGC Matches – Gold Coast will be contesting three home matches in the JGC competition in 2014. GCDRU is seeking expressions of interest from local Rugby clubs in hosting these fixtures. Please contact GCDRU Rugby Manager Heath Claydon if your club is interested in hosting a fixture.

4th November, 2013

The u15 and u17 Gold Coast JGC trials were held at Bond University, Sunday 3rd November. 

24 October 2013

The trials for the U15 age group will commence on Sunday the 3rd of November at 2pm and will conclude at 5pm.

The trials will be held at Bond University.

Please ensure you check the latest web updates for any notices regarding the trials.

24 October 2013

The trials for the U17 age group will commence on Sunday the 3rd of November at 4:30pm and will conclude at 7:30pm.

The trials will be held at Bond University.

Please ensure you check the latest web updates for any notices regarding the trials.