After posting an unanswered 28 points in the first half against reigning champions Past Brothers last Saturday before the match was abandoned due to an unseasonal electrical storm, the sky could be the limit for the rampant Waves Tigers this weekend.
They meet cellar dwellers Easts Magpies in Round 10 of the Bundaberg Broadcasters A Grade Premiership at Salter Oval at 3pm Saturday.
The Magpies’ horror season hit rock bottom with a 66-10 mauling by Wests Panthers last week, with electrifying centre Bruce Ikamanu bagging four tries.
They have won just one game so far in 2024, and they have been pummelled by the Tigers in their two earlier clashes this season, 64-4 on April 27, and 34-4 on June 1.
Waves rolled out another exciting new signing in coach Antonio Kaufusi’s 21-year-old nephew and Kingaroy Red Ants product Jack Garrod, who had spent the past two seasons with Penrith Panthers in Jersey Flegg.
Garrod joined Gold Coast Titans for a train-and-trial in the pre-season and he did well for them in an NRL trial match against Dolphins in February.
He didn't pick up a contract, but started this season with Ipswich Jets in Hostplus Cup, only to quit rugby league after six games to pursue his boxing career.
The flashy redhead jumped at Kaufusi’s request for him to join them, and his class was on show against the Brethren despite being new to the side.
But it was game-breaking winger Mitchell Clayton and in-form centre Jensen Deamer who led the charge with twin doubles.
Kaufusi will miss the game as he will be travelling back from the Confraternity Shield schoolboy carnival in Townsville with Shalom College, with reserve and under 18 coaches Shaun Hobson and Otto Tuima to take the reins.
But the master coach said while they will miss young gun Noah Law and interchange dynamo Harry Kuorikoski, they will welcome back high-class five-eighth Zeke Monckton after he missed last week after failing a HIA the previous week, and one of their best of the past three seasons, Cody Maughan for his first game of the year.
Kaufusi said they cannot be complacent, but he has backed his team to continue their juggernaut.
“Our focus is on Easts, and the boys have learnt their lessons from the past few seasons and know they have to turn up week in week out and keep improving,” Kaufusi said.
Meanwhile, the stakes are high in the earlier 1.15pm showdown between joint-second placed Brothers and Wallaroos, after 'Roos had to battle hard to defeat a brave Hervey Bay Seagulls 30-16 at home in Maryborough on Saturday.
Brothers have had to dig deep to down 'Roos in both their duels to date, coming from behind to get the chocolates 26-18 at Salter Oval, and 24-16 in the heritage city, and they will be keen to bounce back from their capitulation to Waves and maintain a psychological advantage over them in a match, which is shaping as an early qualifying final preview with six rounds to go.
The Seagulls host the Panthers at Stafford Park at 5pm and while they are always a greater force at home, Wests will be favoured again after downing them 34-18 also at the Bay on April 27, and 52-4 at headquarters last time.
