Stuart McLennan
The NSW Universities conceded their disciplined Queensland rivals were too strong on the day powering to a 22-6 win at North Sydney Oval last week.
After working hard to recruit the right players this year, NSW coach Peter Palmer summed up the result by saying “sometimes in footy you come up against a team that is just better than you and that's what happened today.”
NSW captain Tom Fisher said: “We moved away from the process we discussed and started to make things up and you can't do that against a strong side.”
With QLD pressuring the NSW line for a number of tackles, backrower Zane Ford crashed over in the 13th minute for the Maroons to open the scoring.
Ford doubled up in the 19th minute on the right edge to open up a 10-0 lead. Queensland prop Joseph Shannon barged over in the 35th minute for a converted try to take the score to 16-0 at the break.
NSW came back after half-time determined to make amends in the second half however they found themselves defending in their red zone for long periods.
Queensland centre Billy Tonkin found space out wide to race through for another Maroons try in the 51st minute to make it 22-0 with the conversion.
NSW halfback Harrison Geraghty was rewarded for his hard work and determination late in the match, pushing through a number of tackles to get over the line. Josh Rizk converted the try.
There was some consolation for the NSW team after the match with six players named in the Australian Universities squad. They are: Tom Fisher, Josh Rizk, Jackson Shade, Harrison Geraghty, Tom Baker, Ben Williamson and Will Golden.
QLD 22 (Ford 2, Shannon, Tonkin tries. Speed 3 goals) NSW 6 (Geraghty try, Rizk goal)
