Two-year winning streak
Qld rugby union team finishes a second season undefeated

Hard to beat: The North Queensland Army Rugby Union team.

THE North Queensland Army Rugby Union (NQARU) team has completed the 2005 season without loss, continuing an incredible two-year winning streak.

NQARU Coach Sgt Damien Cahill said that during the past two years, the team’s victories have included some respected teams such as the Brolgas (Townsville’s representative side) and the Northern Australian Navy (NAN).

“It‘s not too far from reality to suggest that [this team] could be viewed as the strongest rugby union side in regional Queensland outside of Queensland Country,” he said.

His comments came after NQARU continued its undefeated surge in two annual representative games over three days, defeating James Cook University (JCU) 33-7 (Townsville), and NAN 20-8 (Cairns).

Sgt Cahill said the NQARU personnel were selected from units based north of Rockhampton, with the majority of players coming from Lavarack Barracks.

“And the JCU side is comprised of students who are drawn from all clubs throughout the Townsville and District Rugby Union (TDRU) competition, and the NAN is picked from officers and sailors posted anywhere in the tropics,” he said.

Game One - NQARU v JCU

More than 1000 spectators greeted the two sides as they ran onto the University field, where the NQARU, led by Cpl Gavin Whiteside started strongly by establishing a dominance in general forward play.

However, by midway through the first half the NQARU had incurred the wrath of the referee to the tune of 11 penalties to 1.

“Despite this lack of possession and field position, the NQARU were able to post a well worked try from open play through the work of LCpl Chey Bird and Cfn Zane Mitchell.”

A further try from each side left the half time score at 14-7.

The second half saw a far more open game, highlighted by two intercepts from vice-captain Cfn Zane Mitchell, which both led to tries.

NQARU best players were Tpr Jake Byrt (who was adjudged man of the match), Lt Matt Bunker and the skipper, Cpl Gavin Whiteside (CTC).

Game Two - NQARU v NAN

A very strong Navy side lay in ambush for NQARU as they arrived in Cairns, as Navy had flown in a number of their national squad, and viewed the game as an opportunity to prepare for next year’s interservice carnival.

Undeterred, NQARU came out firing, destroying the Navy scrum and establishing a dominance in the lineout (particularly through the work of Tpr Jake Byrt and LCpl Tim Glover).

Fine individual performances from newer members to the squad, including inside-centre Pte Jake Jonkers meant that there was no aspect of the game that NQARU weren’t on top of the NAN, eventually winning 20 – 8.

NQARU’s best players were Cfn Joe Rains and Spr Shaun Richardson.