The University of Queensland will join Brothers in the Queensland Premier Rugby decider on Sunday after beating defending premiers GPS in their preliminary final in a Ballymore boilover.
Despite being beaten by Jeeps in both round matches this season, Uni ground to a one-point lead in the second term before running in three tries in the final 15 minutes when the Gallopers were reduced to 12 men.
The premiers seemed to have the upper hand when UQ captain James Dalgleish was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the 60th minute.
Despite being down a point, they opted against a penalty and paid the price, losing possession before having two players of their own - prop Emosi Tuqiri and halfback Nigel Genia - sent to the sin bin.
Having lost three props - Jethro Felimi, Ruan Smith and Jonah Pologa – to injury, with Tuqiri also in the bin, GPS were forced to go uncontested at the scrum which meant they had to drop a man and play with 12.
James Wood scored for the Red Heavies soon after and as the space opened in the final minutes, Clifton Setu scored his second try of the day, with Alex Horan putting the result beyond doubt in the 79th minute.
Despite the hectic finishing stages, Dalgleish said his side won the match in the first half after holding their own into a howling gale, taking a one-point lead to the break.
"That wind's probably got 20 points in it," Dalgleish said.
"It's just impossible to exit from the corners with that wind behind you."
The GPS-Uni rivalry has become the prime QPR contest in recent years with the teams meeting in several key games, including last year's grand final.
"We've played them so many times in the last couple of years that we've got a bit of a rivalry with them and there's the same blokes playing in that team, so you do enjoy going up against them," Dalgleish said.
"But in saying that, us against Brothers is also huge and they've got a pretty good following, so it should be pretty good next weekend."
Minor premiers Brothers secured their grand final place when they beat GPS in the major semi-final last week.
QUEENSLAND PREMIER RUGBY
Hospital Cup Preliminary final
University of Queensland 34
Tries: Setu 2, Oates, Wood, Horan; Cons: Dalgleish 2, Oates; Pens: Dalgleish
GPS 14
Tries: Gicquel, Nickel; Cons: Hegarty 2
SHUTE SHIELD
Wallabies prop Harry Johnson-Holmes was a standout for Sydney Uni in their 47-31 win over Manly on Saturday, helping the Students to book a place in the Shute Shield final four.
Johnson-Holmes scored a try for Uni in a side that also boasted Wallabies squad members Jake Gordon and Nick Phipps attempting to make an 11th-hour push for inclusion in Michael Cheika's World Cup squad.
Uni, Warringah and Eastwood sealed places in this weekend's semi-finals, with Norths scraping in as the highest-placed loser despite their 24-7 loss to the Rats on Saturday.
They will now play Sydney Uni in the second leg of the double-header at North Sydney Oval, attempting to upset the competition heavyweights.
Eastwood and Warringah will meet in the early match.
Easts did their best to cause an upset to force their way into the semis and led 14-12 after an outstanding try to Lalakai Foketi following some great lead-up work from Jack Maddocks.
But a pair of yellow cards - to Jack Turley and Jack Grant - let Eastwood back into the game and they were awarded a penalty try that sealed the result, handing Norths the lucky loser's position.
Finals Round 1
Sydney University 47 - Manly 31
Warringah 24 - Norths 7
Eastwood 24 - Eastern Suburbs 21
JOHN I DENT CUP
The Vikings have set up their chance at revenge after beating Uni-Norths in their preliminary final 34-31 despite scoring one less try.
The defending premiers pushed out to a 31-14 lead in the second half before the Owls hit back, scoring three tries in the dying stages to get within three points of their rivals.
Brumbies squad member Ryan Lonergan's boot proved the difference, the scrumhalf finishing with a haul of 14 points to help the Vikings set up a grand final rematch against the Royals this weekend.
Brumbies centre Irae Simone was among the Owls' best, scoring a try and booting three conversions.
The Vikings lost the major semi to the Royals in the opening week of finals but get their chance for revenge at Viking Park on Saturday.
Preliminary Final
Tuggeranong Vikings 34
Tries: Vunipola Fifita, Maika Ravouvou, Ryan Lonergan, Lachlan Lonergan; Cons: Ryan Lonergan 3; Pens: Ryan Lonergan
Uni--Norths Owls 31
Tries: Callum Frawley Richardson, Ben Love, Irae Simone, Lachlan Osborne, Hamish Dawson; Cons: Irae Simone 3
DEWAR SHIELD
Melbourne has reinforced its favouritism for the Dewar Shield after booking a grand final spot with a 12-0 win over Harlequins on Saturday.
Rebel and Junior Wallabies representative Esei Haangana scored for Melbourne, with Telea-Afa Faatau also crossing in the shutout.
Harlequins will face Box Hill in this weekend's preliminary final after they beat Melbourne Uni 28-15 in the minor semi-final.
Semi-finals
Melbourne 12 - Harlequins 0
Box Hill 28 - Melbourne Uni 15
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE
Southern Suburbs 12 - Burnside 24
Port Adelaide 36 - Onkaparinga 33
Elizabeth 57 - Barossa Rams 25
Old Collegians 27 - Brighton 27
Adelaide Uni 29 - Woodville 20
