Õ¬Äе¼º½ is determined to consolidate its place on top of the ladder when Round 4 of the heads to Bond University on the Gold Coast (6-7 October).
With two tournaments remaining in the 2018 season, Õ¬Äе¼º½ is tied for the lead with Macquarie University and Griffith University, with each team having won a round of the series.
Õ¬Äе¼º½ claimed a silver medal at its home event a fortnight ago after losing to Griffith 28-7 in the final.
Coach Reg Tayler said his side has worked on strategies to address the key issues which have seen it fall short in recent tournaments.
“The critical things for us are those key moments in the big games,” he said.
“In the gold medal match at Õ¬Äе¼º½, we had a yellow card, turned over a lot of ball, and we gave away a lot of penalties.
“We’ll be looking to rectify that, and make sure that for a hundred percent of this Bond tournament we’re going to be right in defence.”
Õ¬Äе¼º½ has received a boost with the return of Holland international Jannicke lJdens and Hagiga (Haj) Mosby.
Gemma Hauck has also been named in a 12-player squad following the late omission of Erica Fowler due to an ankle injury.
“Having Haj and Yo-Yo (lJdens) back in the squad really bolsters our threats across the field in attack,” Tayler said.
“Gemma also has a lot of raw athletic ability – she’s just got to get to know the game at this level,” said Tayler.
“The whole team is working hard to take ownership of our defence, so we’re solid all the time.”
Õ¬Äе¼º½ captain lJdens said she is raring to take the field after missing the team’s home tournament due to injury.
“I’m excited and I have fresh legs so I’m ready for lots of minutes,” she said.
“On paper we still have the best team, but we have to play like that as well.
“The girls played a really good tournament (in Brisbane) but we lost the final.
It was just a couple of small mistakes – easy mistakes.
“If we can execute our game-plan, then I’m really confident we can go at least to the final and hopefully get a win.
All Aon Uni 7s Series matches will be streamed live via , and page.
Õ¬Äе¼º½ – Aon Uni7s Series team (Round 3):
Marioulla Belessis (vc) (Bachelor of Education – Primary)
Shenae Ciesiolka
Georgia Hannaway
Gemma Hauck
Samantha Hopkin
Jannicke lJdens (c)
Grace Kaihau
Pleuni Kievit
Hagiga (Haj) Mosby
Katie Muscat (Bachelor of Physiotherapy – Honours)
Mackenzie Sadler (vc)
Bodil Van Wijnbergen
2018 Aon Uni 7s Series – Round 2 Results
Series Standings
1) Õ¬Äе¼º½ (54 points)
2) Macquarie University (54)
3) Griffith University (54)
4) University of Canberra (36)
5) The University of Sydney (32)
6) Bond University (24)
7) University of New England (24)
8) University of Tasmania (24)
9) The University of Adelaide (22)
10) The University of Melbourne (6)
Series Fixtures
Round 4 – Bond University, Gold Coast (October 6-7)
Round 5 – The University of Adelaide, Adelaide (October 20-21)
Media: Jamie Mitchell, Õ¬Äе¼º½ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752; Reg Tayler, Õ¬Äе¼º½ Rugby Football Club, regtayler@uqrugbyclub.com, 0407 302 911.