For Harry and Will Wilson, this is the grand final they never expected to play together so they intend to put a true Brothers’ mark on Sunday.
Not for the first time, Brothers will feature brothers for the StoreLocal Hospital Cup decider against Wests at Ballymore.
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In the 1980s, Mark and Shane Nightingale were multiple premiership winners. Wallabies Paul and Jeff McLean shared titles in the 1970s and the brothers in arms tradition has extended to many more examples through the years.
In 2016, Taniela and Criff Tupou both played influential roles in Brothers’ most recent premiership celebration.
The prospect of No.8 Harry, 23, sharing the field with lock Will, 26, always seemed remote because of the age difference and their career trajectories.
“It’s going to be something very special. We never dreamed of it because it seemed so unlikely to ever happen,” said Harry, the Queensland Reds regular.
“We played a lot of front-yard footy growing up in our two metre by 10 metre space so that was quite physical.
“A few years ago, Will was playing thirds. I was newer to the grades and got the Queensland call-up.
“My older brother has just gone about his business and taught me the value of patience in life. He’s been playing some awesome footy this season in Premier grade and we get to start together in a grand final.”
Will, an engineer, is a few kilos lighter and a few centimetres shorter but still adds great value to the pack.
“Will has been immense this season. When he’s not playing in our team, our DNA is wrong. That just tells me whatever he brings it’s exactly what we need,” Brothers coach Brendan Gabbett said.
“It’s workrate, strong carries and just going hard in defence.”
For Will, playing with his brother through the team’s streak of five wins has given him a taste.
“We’re seeing the value of keeping the same core group. The addition of a few Super Rugby level players has just elevated the group,” Will said.
“To play with Harry in a grand final, especially at Ballymore, is unreal. I can’t wait.
“Everything is clicking at the right time of the year. We know what is ahead. Obviously, Wests won the premiership last year and we have to step up against a big pack that likes to rumble ahead.”
Gabbett is a barber and perhaps the only coach worldwide with a sharper haircut than anyone in his squad.
Harry Wilson (Reds), centre Hamish Stewart (Western Force) and in-form flyhalf Lawson Creighton (Reds) are giving Brothers a huge lift.
Equally, Wests have their own brotherly vein of class running through the side with the Vaihu siblings, fullback Glenn and winger David.
The pair were dynamic in the major semi-final win over Bond University with fullback Glenn making several incisive runs from the back and David’s finishing for three tries.
Rival clubs may moan about Wests harnessing a strong Melbourne Rebels connection but the fact is Glenn, 21, and David, 20, were playing Colts 1 at Wests in 2020.
“I probably can’t say who is my favourite,” Wests coach Elwee Prinsloo said with a grin.
“What they have brought back to Wests from their experiences in the professional environment has been a real benefit.
“Glenn is quite fiery in the way he likes to set standards and David’s skill level is crazy.”
For the women’s grand final at Ballymore on Sunday, Wallaroos winger Ivania Wong has been shifted to fullback by Sunnybank for the clash against premiers Bond University.
Sunnybank received early recognition of a fine season when livewire halfback Ana Afuie was named Selena Worsley Medallist as Player of the Year.
Bond’s 22-12 upset of the Dragons in the major semi-final has put Sunnybank on notice.
“Bond capitalised on our errors for two tries in the second half. They were clinical and have a deadly backline to utilise,” warned Sunnybank flanker Sam Lingman.
“In hindsight, that (loss) was good to have. It’s made us a bit humble and got us back on track for the grand final.
“Ana is a major game-driver for us, the heart of the team and we’re super proud of her winning the medal.”
Bond University back Rhian Stowers was unveiled as the Alec Evans Medal winner as the Hospital Cup Player of the Year in Premier Rugby at Wednesday’s grand final breakfast at the Queensland University of Technology’s Room Three Sixty.
Souths lock Jake Kurbatoff was named Under-20s Player of the Year. It is an award that often points to a big future with Wallabies Garrick Morgan, Nathan Sharpe and Mark Chisholm amongst the previous winners from the tight five.
