Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast v Easts

Stockland Park
3:00pm - 24/4/2010
Easts
20 Round 03 19

Former Wallaby Toutai Kefu made a brief return to rugby in Australia when he played the last eight minutes of the Sunshine Coast Stingrays' 20-19 win over Easts at Stockland Park in Round 3 of Queensland Premier Rugby.

The win returned the Stingrays to the top of the competition table.

Breaking the Stingrays defensive line within the first 20 seconds, it seemed as if Easts were going to be the dominant team.

However the Sunshine Coast bounced back, with a line break by vice captain Maurice Stone leading to a try by flanker Kingsley Laing.

The Tigers came back to lead the match but an exciting try in the dying minutes by Stingrays skipper Matt Blain had the home crowd on its feet.

Former Reds and Wallaby No 8, who had been sidelined by injury, came off the bench for the last eight minutes to help see his new club home.

Stingrays coach Glen Panoho said his team had played bravely and he was proud of the way they came back from last week's disappointing loss to University.

“It was a big turnaround from last week ...  but let’s remember not to get carried away," Panoho said.

“I think that it’s just a bit more composure from the players, and it’s nice to see. I think that last year we might have panicked and dropped our heads, but this year the boys are learning to win, and I was happy with today’s game."

Easts assistant coach, Karel Bos said he enjoyed watching a good, close match of rugby, but hinted that Easts may have underestimated their opposition.

“We managed to execute part of our game plan, but we just had too many unforced errors.

“It is such a competitive competition at the moment, a team really must know who you’re up against, otherwise you can be behind the eight ball all season,” he said.

Sunshine Coast 20 (K Lang, M Blain, T Puki tries M Stone pen, con) d Easts 19 (T White, A Toua tries T Walsh 3 pen)

Match report by Tom Williams

Event Details

Venue
Stockland Park
 
Kick off Time
3:00pm (Local) Saturday, 24 April 2010