UQ captain returns for crucial Uni 7s round

The University of Queensland is determined to consolidate its place on top of the ladder when Round 4 of the Aon Uni 7s Series heads to Bond University on the Gold Coast (6-7 October).

With two tournaments remaining in the 2018 season, UQ is tied for the lead with Macquarie University and Griffith University, with each team having won a round of the series. 

UQ claimed a silver medal at its home event a fortnight ago after losing to Griffith 28-7 in the final.

Coach Reg Tayler said his side has worked on strategies to address the key issues which have seen it fall short in recent tournaments.

“The critical things for us are those key moments in the big games,” he said.

“In the gold medal match at UQ, we had a yellow card, turned over a lot of ball, and we gave away a lot of penalties.

“We’ll be looking to rectify that, and make sure that for a hundred percent of this Bond tournament we’re going to be right in defence.”

UQ has received a boost with the return of Holland international Jannicke lJdens and Hagiga (Haj) Mosby.

Gemma Hauck has also been named in a 12-player squad following the late omission of Erica Fowler due to an ankle injury. 

“Having Haj and Yo-Yo (lJdens) back in the squad really bolsters our threats across the field in attack,” Tayler said.

“Gemma also has a lot of raw athletic ability – she’s just got to get to know the game at this level,” said Tayler.

“The whole team is working hard to take ownership of our defence, so we’re solid all the time.”

UQ captain lJdens said she is raring to take the field after missing the team’s home tournament due to injury.

“I’m excited and I have fresh legs so I’m ready for lots of minutes,” she said.

“On paper we still have the best team, but we have to play like that as well.

“The girls played a really good tournament (in Brisbane) but we lost the final.

It was just a couple of small mistakes – easy mistakes.

“If we can execute our game-plan, then I’m really confident we can go at least to the final and hopefully get a win.

All Aon Uni 7s Series matches will be streamed live via rugby.com.au, and UniSport Australia’s Facebook page.

The University of Queensland – Aon Uni7s Series team (Round 3):

Marioulla Belessis (vc) (Bachelor of Education – Primary)

Shenae Ciesiolka

Georgia Hannaway

Gemma Hauck

Samantha Hopkin

Jannicke lJdens (c)

Grace Kaihau

Pleuni Kievit

Hagiga (Haj) Mosby

Katie Muscat (Bachelor of Physiotherapy – Honours)

Mackenzie Sadler (vc)

Bodil Van Wijnbergen

2018 Aon Uni 7s Series – Round 2 Results

Series Standings

1) The University of Queensland (54 points)

2) Macquarie University (54)

3) Griffith University (54)

4) University of Canberra (36)

5) The University of Sydney (32)

6) Bond University (24)

7) University of New England (24)

8) University of Tasmania (24)

9) The University of Adelaide (22)

10) The University of Melbourne (6)

Series Fixtures

Round 4 – Bond University, Gold Coast (October 6-7)

Round 5 – The University of Adelaide, Adelaide (October 20-21)

Media: Jamie Mitchell, UQ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752; Reg Tayler, UQ Rugby Football Club, regtayler@uqrugbyclub.com, 0407 302 911.