Check out all the action from Round 1 with our weekly wrap of RUSA results including player and coach interviews.
A 79th minute intercept try sealed Old Collegians’ dream start to 2023 while Burnside, Elizabeth & Souths also impressed in the opening weekend of Premier Grade action.
Tristan Coetzer was the hero for Old Colls against Brighton, crushing the reigning champs with an 80m runaway effort before Kurt McKinley iced the conversion and bagged a ruck turnover to seal a remarkable 27-25 win in overtime.
“I was really happy that we stayed in the fight for the full 80,” Old Colls coach Alex Rokobaro said post-game.
“In games gone by, we’ve been in a similar position and Brighton’s pressure and ability to pull away has seen on the losing side but we managed to stay in touch.
“We did get pretty lucky in the end but it wouldn’t have happened without us staying in the fight and that’s what most pleasing for me as coach.”
Highlights | Old Collegians vs BrightonFull Recap from the Premier Grade match between Old Collegians Rugby Club and Brighton Rugby Union Football Club FULL MATCH REPLAY: https://www.spacequakesports.com/broadcasts/rusa2023g01
Posted by Rugby Union South Australia on Saturday, April 15, 2023
Coetzer's intercept capped a thrilling battle for the Bob Burgess Cup that saw Brighton dominate large patches with tries to Aaron Coleman and Pita Nakarawa building an early Tigers lead.
A rolling maul try in the 39th minute saw Old Colls close the gap but the Tigers quickly restored their buffer after oranges when Rhys Fishwick barged over from a 45th minute tap move.
McKinley’s jinking run to score from an attacking lineout elated the home crowd midway through the half, though few would’ve dreamed of victory when Nathan McPherson’s penalty goal reset the 10-point buffer late in the piece.
It took a moment of magic from halfback Thomas Merrin to snipe over in the 75th minute and Brighton’s own moment of madness to push a pass at the death as Coetzer snatched victory from the Tigers' jaws.
“It’ll be a really big occasion when we next play Brighton, I’m sure they won’t forget this game,” Rokobaro said.
Round 1 Premier Men's Results
Southern Suburbs 65 def Adelaide Uni 7
Port Adelaide 3 def by Elizabeth 26
Burnside 53 def Onkaparinga 17
Old Collegians 27 def Brighton 25
Woodville BYE
“It’s obviously great to get this win but it’s still Round 1 so we’re not getting too excited.
“Coming in as a first-year coach, obviously there’s a lot to learn and things I’m trying to pull in from my playing days to build our platform but the club’s been really supportive and we’ve got a good base so far after a strong pre-season.”
Brighton will be out for revenge in Round 2’s grand final rematch and Anzac Cup clash with Burnside, who opened their 2023 account with a 53-17 win over Onkaparinga.
Fraser Green, Bailey Loftus and Nichel Lam Sam scored doubles while centre Keanu Eliepa impressed as Burnside ran in 9 tries to the Devils’ 3 at Parkinson Oval.
“It’s a good start for us, things were pretty scrappy at times with the usual Round 1 cobwebs but I’m happy with the result,” Burnside coach TJ Neru Maualaivao said.
Round 1 Women's Results
Burnside 47 def Onkaparinga 8
Southern Suburbs 51 def Adelaide Uni 12
Barossa Rams 7 def by Woodville 67
“We’ll be working on our unforced errors – think those hurt us a little and got in the way against Onkas – but it was great to have Keanu back after his year over with Manly Marlins.
“We’re definitely looking forward to this weekend and facing Brighton, they’ll want to turn around from Old Colls and they’ll probably feel hard done by with that result so we’re expecting a tough game on Saturday.”
In the other Premier Grade fixtures, Souths scored 10 tries in a 65-7 drubbing of Adelaide Uni at AA Bailey while Elizabeth’s defence was a standout against Port, the Knights prevailing 26-3 at Riverside Oval.
Reigning women’s premiers Souths also enjoyed home success against the students, running out 51-12 victors, while a Caitlin Stanley hat-trick and Zahn Anthony’s four-try haul spearheaded big wins for Burnside and Woodville respectively.
In Reserve Grade, Barossa Rams opened their season with an 18-5 home win over Woodville before Brighton's depth shone across three victories in Reserves and Third (Brighton Black and Brighton Gold).
