ANTONY STEWART
September 14th, 2009
UNIVERSITY coach Apenisa Rabai says Illiesa Tuibuca is a shining example of why the Boars roared to Townsville and District Rugby Union glory on Saturday. Barnstorming No. 8 Tuibuca was advised not to play after breaking ribs in the preliminary final, but he was determined to take his place in the grand final.
Not only did he last the full 80 minutes at Hugh St, he claimed man-of-the-match honours as University beat Teachers West 21-14 to win the premiership.
Captain Richard Hardy also defied doctor's orders and played with a shoulder injury.
It was those gutsy efforts, combined with a perceived poor display from the referee, that helped galvanise University towards drought-breaking success, according to Rabai.
''I'm really proud. They really did very well. I was talking to some of the spectators and they could just see they played from the heart,'' he said.
''When we were defending on the line (the spectators) could see that they were giving their heart, giving it their all to win the game ... it was a good, hard game.''
The Boars also had to overcome being reduced to 14 players for foul play three times during the contest and Teachers West being awarded a controversial penalty try.
It left Rabai incensed and he took unusual action, approaching the officials at halftime. Despite coming back from 14-5 down from there, winning the second half 16-0, he said he was considering making an official complaint to the referees' association.
But it could not take away from their achievement, which marked University's first premiership since 1995 and the perfect send-off for departing back Terry Poole.
Just four years ago University finished last, while in 2007 they came second-last.
Rabai said he hoped Uni's win, which came after a fourth-place finish on the ladder - ironically as did the 1995 team - would inspire the TDRU's other lesser lights.
''It's good for the Townsville Rugby Union, because every year it is either Brothers or Teachers and Burdekin (that win the premiership),'' he said.
''You hardly ever see (North Ward) Old Boys or Ross River or University, so it's good and hopefully it will encourage other clubs - what we did this year, they can do it too.''
Brothers took out the reserve grade title, proving far too strong for North Ward.
Teachers West claimed the under-19 premiership with a 41-26 victory over Burdekin.
