Clinton Schifcofske, a former Queensland Origin player and current Queensland Reds Super 14 fullback, was on hand to present the players with their Maroon jerseys at a special function at Griffith University’s Mt Gravatt campus on Monday night.
The former Canberra Raiders star and Griffith University student offered the team a few words of encouragement.
He spoke about the need for “unity” and urged the players to enjoy the match, which is a curtain raiser to the annual NSWRL City-Country clash.
The interstate match will also double as a selection trial for an Australian Students side to compete in the 2008 Universities Rugby League World Cup in Brisbane from July 4-16.
Queensland Universities coach Paul Srama is ecstatic with the quality throughout the squad, declaring the 2008 line-up the strongest in his three-year coaching tenure.
"The team is a good blend of youth and experience, with a large number of players having already experienced representative football at various levels,” Srama said.
“The coaching staff are keen to work with such a strong squad knowing the majority of players have had FOGS Cup experience, a handful having played Queensland Cup and the remainder involved in some form of representative football at either junior or senior level."
The team will be captained by experienced forward Matt Ross, a former Easts, Tweed and Wynnum Seagulls Qld Cup player.
Townsville’s Jonathan Crawley, a two-time Australian Universities representative, has been appointed vice captain.
Both players are pictured above with Clinton Schifcofske.
Photo courtesy of Grandstand Images.
Queensland Universities Team
1. Matt Church (North Point Institute of Tafe)
2. Michael Comerford (Central Queensland University)
3. Jonathan Crawley (vc) (James Cook University)
4. Jamie Richters (Griffith University)
5. Dean Bannerman (Queensland University of Technology)
6. Brogan Gibson (Griffith University)
7. Robert Peters (University of Southern Queensland)
8. Matt Ross (ACU National)
9. Brenton Stonier (Central Queensland University)
10. Dennis Conlon (Queensland University of Technology)
11. Eugene Seddon (University of Southern Queensland)
12. Martin Cordwell (Queensland University of Technology)
13. Jonathan Fraser (Griffith University)
14. Justin Volker (Queensland University of Technology)
15. Matt Francis (Gold Coast Institute of Tafe)
16. Alan Kemp (Griffith University)
17. Scott Bamford (Central Queensland University)
18. Nuku Hifo (Bond University)
Coach: Paul Srama
Asst Coach: Grant Stephenson
Manager: John Earle
Trainer: Greg Kelly
Trainer: Alex Stuart
