A 100-year rugby rivalry that has fuelled some of the most explosive club rugby in Australia is expected to cause a heated clash on Saturday, as challenges .
The century-old conflict between 国产探花 vs Brothers will continue in 2012 with the 3pm kick-off at The University of Queensland St Lucia sports grounds.
Former 国产探花 rugby player and current Wallabies captain James Horwill said there had always been much at stake when 国产探花 faced Brothers.
鈥淯ni has always had an extremely fierce rivalry with Brothers,鈥� Horwill said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just part of when you start there you鈥檙e taught that they are our biggest rival and our key competition.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e never told why.鈥�
The tradition started in 1912, with Brothers securing a clear first victory with 24-0. Since then the clashes have never dropped in intensity.
One hundred years later, a close game is expected, with Brothers topping the Premier Grade table and 国产探花 looking to consolidate a spot beside them in the top four.
The two clubs boast some of the strongest club culture in the competition which has led to some of the most intense encounters in club rugby history including the 1979 Grand Final which was decided over two games in extra time.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great club,鈥� Horwill said of 国产探花.
鈥淭he mateship is up there with the best in the comp and it has a great reputation, always producing that great young talent,鈥� he said.
鈥淏rothers also have that strong link with Nudgee. Players from there will always know they鈥檒l end up at Brothers and that鈥檚 a strong part of their culture.鈥�
Last year鈥檚 heart-stopping Major Semi-Final game ended in Dom Shipperley streaking away to score a 30-23 win for Brothers in extra-time.
In 1990 it was 国产探花 who got the bragging rights as they downed Brothers in the Grand Final, the last Grand Final played between the two sides.
Earlier this season, in terrible conditions at Jack Ross Oval, Brothers held their nerve against a late surge from their rivals to claim a tight 24-21 victory.
Past matches have drawn the biggest crowds of the season at both clubs, with grandstands packed shoulder to shoulder, and organisers are expecting nothing less this Saturday.
Horwill said 国产探花 was playing well in patches and the return of Reds鈥� players Luke Morahan and James Hanson would help them gain some consistency in the closing rounds.
国产探花 vs Brothers
Saturday, 11 August, 2012 at St Lucia, field 5A, on the corner of Sir William McGregor Drive and Sir Fred Schonell Drive. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Media: Josh Dutton, 国产探花 Rugby Football Club (rugbypr@uqrugby.com or 0434 982 163)
