Post Match RNRL Chairman Cdr Sean Heaton MBE commented on the result
‘I have no words to say how proud I am of this group of players. Professional, dedicated and loyal to the core. We came here to show that we are the best sports team in Royal Navy, and on ANZAC weekend we did not disappoint.’

This result is the culmination of a year’s hard work away from the pitch by Cdr Sean Heaton, Cdr Mat Gee and of course team Manager Jase Steele to get RNRL to Australia for the first time in ten years. On the field in only his 2nd year in the head Coach role Darren Bamford has produced a winning team built on the all-conquering Inter Services squad of the past two years with some exciting young players moving up from the Academy. On the field Skipper Ben Taylor aided by Brodie Lee Butler have driven and inspired the players throughout the three games to bring the tour to the best possible climax

Coach Bamford had watched the Tridents game at the weekend when they went down to the NSW Fire and Rescue service so was very aware of their strengths. To counter any threat they may pose he put out a big robust and mobile starting 13 to get the upper hand early doors. This tactic worked probably better than expected the Brothers racing to an early lead scoring at over a point a minute. A brace for Dave Brown either side of one for James Teixeira, plus 3 conversions for Rhys Joel put the Brothers well on top. This dominance in midfield was highlighted soon after, 2nd row Brodie Lee Butler cut through the RAN defence to set up Charlie Mattison for the Brothers 4th score, 0:22 after barely 20 minutes. The pace of the game did slow a little allowing the RAN some field position but resolute defence by the Brothers kept them at bay. The final scores of the half went to the RN Fijian flyers, first up Kini Dakuliga finished of a fantastic move from a penalty restart on the RN right, then it was opposite winger Tu Roko Kurusasa beating the cover for a stroll over the line. Both these tries were converted brilliantly from the touchline by scrum half Rhys Joel. That was it for the first half, a totally dominant 35 minutes for the Brothers to put them well and truly in the driving seat.

The second half began brightly for the RAN, getting good field position aided by a knock on almost on the RN line they looked to claw back some points however a ‘coach killer’ knock on at the scrum returned the ball to the RN. From their own line the Brothers made the almost 60 metres in two tackles before conceding a penalty for crossing broke up the move. RAN advanced back into RN territory and a deft kick went straight to the hands of the Tridents, a pass out to Jed Fatches saw the hosts in for what turned out to be their only score of the match. The try was converted to make the score 6:34 with 25 mins left. The next score came from an Aussie offside as they tried to secure a loose ball. Joel put the Brothers back into RAN territory and the midfield onslaught continued, Dave Brown once gain leading by example. Held up short this time Brown managed the off load to Jack Basher who took the defence with him, touching down to the left of the posts. Another straight forward two pointer for Rhys Joel moving the Brothers out to a 40 point lead. The final try of the game went to stand off Jack Bartlett, Rhys Joel put a cross field kick into the RAN 20 m line, the Aussie defence could not take the ball and it fell to Kurusasa who made ground before being tackled. Bartlett took the ball at 1st receiver and split the tired looking Aussies defence to twist over the line, Joel ever reliable pushed over the conversion and that was it the Brothers were over 50 points. That was to be the final scoring action with a resounding 6:52 victory to the Brothers.
Man of the match went to Dave Brown for his efforts in midfield and his brace of tries.

There was little time to celebrate as the Brothers joined their Aussie counterparts to line the pitch for the entrance to the pitch of the Manly and Paramatta teams for the ceremony of remembrance to mark AZAC day.

For the record our hosts the Sea Eagles secured a 32:18 win over the Parramatta Eels putting them up to 3rd place in the NRL standings