SURFERS Paradise, the glamour team of the Rugby Gold Coast City Finance Premier competition, begin their quest for back-to-back titles today with their season-opener against Simcorp Alleygators in Currumbin.
With seven first -teamers stepping up to Premier rugby, new co-coach Les Pierson -- here for a season from New Zealand -- is promising another season of high-achievement from the Kooga Cup pre-season winners.
"There are about 11 new players but that's not a big concern for us because there's a lot of quality coming through," said Pierson.
"The average age is 22 but that's fine. I have been very impressed with what I have seen so far. Losing so many players is actually a compliment to how many good players this club has produced. That will be an on-going process."
Excitement is the buzz word for Pierson who is promising to ditch the pragmatic and cautious approach which brought results last season but failed to attract more bums on seats to Albert Park.
Instead, he's promising an expansive gung-go brand aimed at bringing back the crowds to a stadium he graced as a player in his former life with Surfers.
"I want to reproduce the sort of fast-running, open, skilful rugby we played when I was here and for which Australia is known for.
"In some games last year it was on the dour side and the team tended to grind out results.
This year it will be about winning with a bit of panache. I want to see crowds of around 2000 at Albert Park again."
Despite being infused by a flush of youth, Pierson also has some wiser heads on board in the likes of returning Cyclones representative players Giovanni Militello, Nicky Hohara, Michael McDonald, Herbie Rankin, Phil Rebone and Sak Raymanomaya.
Griffith Uni Colleges Knights, who went winless last season, are hoping their 21st Anniversary will spark a new era in their opener against Helensvale Hogs in Benowa at 3.15pm.
New coach Scott Barnes said: "We've had a win and two draws in Kooga Cup, so we're hopeful of a turnaround."
In the other game the Bond Pirates take on the Nerang Bulls in what will be another very physical encounter at Pizzey Park at 3.15pm
PREMIER RUGBY
In Queensland Premier Rugby, City Finance Breakers coach John Boe has paid tribute to young guns Marshall Suckling and Mitch Francis ahead of today's crunch duel against Easts at Albert Park.
With an average age of barely 22, Boe's renovated side has been a revelation so far this season and could go top if they win and Norths slip up against fourth-placed Brothers.
``I've got to take my hat off to the youngsters like (winger) Marshall, he's only 18 and has been excellent for us in his first season since arriving from New Zealand,'' said Boe
``So too has (No.8) Mitch, who's come down from Cairns and made a huge impression in his first month.
Boe is also expecting his `old hands' like 23-year-olds Lloyd Johansson, Marshall Melroy and skipper Will Munsie to continue to provide the leadership qualities which he hopes will derail Easts.
Boe is delighted with the adventure and nous his team has shown in recent weeks but is wary of an Easts team with lofty ambitions of their own.
``We're playing the sort of game I want to see the backs are getting plenty of ball and scoring tries and the forwards are providing the platform,'' he said.
``This is a massive game for us. We could go top or we could slide to fifth, so it's a bit of a tightrope.''
``We always have close games against them and this probably won't be any different. There's no margin for error.
``I was happy with our approach last week against Wests. We scored five tries and played with a lot of flair.''
The clash with Easts also has symbolic importance with the Breakers defending the Batty Bremner Thomas Trophy they won last year.
The trophy is in memory of former coach John Bremner who led the Easts club for many years.
Boe will have to make do without rampant rookie prop Ben Daley, who has been called into Queensland and Reds calculations for today's Super 14 clash with the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium.
Fellow Australian under-20 selection bolter, Ben Tapuai, is also unavailable after a trip to the dentist to have two front teeth replaced and Caleb Brown has commitments elsewhere.
``We'll get by because we have depth. That's been our strength this season,'' added Boe.
David Lewis
