UQ out to extend Uni 7s lead in Adelaide

The University of Queensland is aiming to extend its competition lead at this weekend’s third Aon Uni 7s Series round in Adelaide (12-13 October).

UQ leads second-placed Griffith University by four points following its silver medal at last month’s second event at Bond University on the Gold Coast.

Team UQ will be without vice-captain Mackenzie Sadler for the remainder of the season after she suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Physiotherapy student Katie Muscat will also miss the round due to an ongoing hand injury.

Utility Terri-Anne Egan will make her first appearance in the series after being named in UQ’s 12-player squad.

UQ coach Reg Tayler said his team was confident of continuing its strong form despite the injuries.

“It is always good to go away and play somewhere different where we have had a good record,” Tayler said.

“Conditions are expected to be a bit colder which will be a bit more comfortable for the team than the past two rounds.

“This is a good opportunity for us, if we play well, to extend our lead on the top of the series table.”

Shanae Ciesiolka, UQ’s leading try scorer in Round 2, says the side was yet to hit its peak.

“We are looking to continue to build on what we have been working on in the first two rounds and keep doing all the one-percenters right,” Ciesiolka said.

“We are trying to focus on us, and worry about the wins of losses of the other teams in the competition.

“I am looking forward to playing against Adelaide at their home ground.

“They were really strong in the last round and I think they will be hard to beat again.”

Team UQ will play University of Technology Sydney (9:40am), Bond University (2pm), and University of New England (3:40pm) on Saturday, with University of Canberra (10am) and finals to follow on Sunday.

All matches will be streamed live via Rugby.com.au.

2019 Aon Uni 7s Series – Team UQ (Round 3)

Lori Cramer (captain)
Jannicke Ijdens (vice-captain)
Shenae Ciesiolka
Terri-Anne Egan
Georgia Hannaway
Pleuni Kievit
Amelia Kuk
Hagiga (Haj) Mosby
Isabella Nasser
Kaitlin Shave
Sidney Taylor
Melita Hicks

Series Standings

1) The University of Queensland (38 points)
2) Griffith University (34 points)
3) The University of Sydney (30 points)
4) University of Technology Sydney (26 points)
5) The University of Adelaide (24 points)
6) University of Canberra (24 points)
7) Bond University (14 points)
8) The University of Melbourne (14 points)
9) The University of Western Australia (8 points)
10) University of New England (8 points)

2019 Aon Uni 7s Series- Fixtures

Round 3 – The University of Adelaide, Adelaide (12-13 October)
Round 4 – University of Canberra, Canberra (26-27 October)

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