Queensland Reds Super Ten players glimpsed so far in their Under 16s and Under 19s teams playing in the Super Rugby tournament
Which 10 Queensland Reds young guns have caught the eye so far in the Super Rugby under 16s and under 19s competition? All is revealed here.
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The Queensland Reds Under 16s and Under 19s teams are chasing redemption this Sunday at Sunnybank Rugby Club when they confront the Rebels, after suffering losses against dominant New South Wales sides on the weekend.
Both teams are one-from-two to begin their Super Rugby Pacific U16 and U19 tournament campaigns and will be eager to bounce back when they host the Melbourne outfits in round 4, with every game a must-win from now in order to make the grand final.
Ahead of Sunday’s games, we reflect on a promising start by the Queenslanders by shining a light on ten players who have turned heads so far in the competition.
See below the Super Ten who could swing Sunday’s games in their side’s favour.
SUPER TEN
Oliver Nasser (Under 16s)
The Gregory Terrace No. 8 made his first start of the tournament against New South Wales at the weekend and was a wrecking ball.
Linebreaks, tackle busts, you name it – Nasser produced it.
Trent Picot (Under 16s)
The athletic Picot was a strong performer on Sunday with his pilfering at the breakdown a stand out.
From Brisbane State High, Picot picked apart his rivals during the GPS season with his jacking and against the ‘Tahs that’s what we saw despite a comprehensive showing from the boys in blue.
He scored the Reds second and final try with a pile driving heave from close range and on that occasion, his powerful leg drive was on show.
He has been very impressive.
Berakah Tuifaasisina (Under 16s)
The overwhelming Ipswich State High School prop has been elite either as a starter or off the bench so far.
Strong through the hips and built low to the ground, Tuifaasisina has shown a turn of speed to go with his good footwork and powerful scrummaging.
He is an Ipswich Jets Cyril Connell Challenge rep player and bolsters a strong front row trio consisting of TSS loose-head Kingsley Uys and King’s Christian College hooker Keido Goulding.
Myles Rosemond (Under 16s)
Ignatius Park College winger Myles Rosemond has been a thrill-a-minute performer for the Queenslanders whose pace and ability to finish has compliments the team very well.
A player who seems to get quicker and quicker the more he winds up, Rosemond has surprised no one with his form in this tournament after an Emerging Reds Cup of dreams where he was simply fantastic.
Finn Mackay (Under 16s)
Playing under premiership winning St Laurence’s College coach Welmar Du Plessis, Laurie’s Year 11 fly half Mackay has been able to spread his wings – and excel.
Wearing white headgear, the tallish Mackay has given the Reds an edge with his accurate kicking which is, at times, jaw dropping.
After playing Melbourne Rebels under 16s last year and winning the AIC rugby premiership with St Laurence’s, Mackay edged out quality competition in Sam McGahan (Terrace) and hasn’t looked back.
But don’t get it twisted, Mackay can do more than just kick.
Bennett Armistead and Ed Kasprowicz (Under 16s)
Nudgee had Tom Hansson and Eamon Mahoney in the No. 5 jersey alongside Kasprowicz throughout Nudgee’s premiership season this year and in 2024 they will be in safe hands with Bennett Armistead.
He and the towering Kasprowicz were lineout kings on Sunday, one of the few bright spots for the Queenslanders in a tough game against their interstate rivals.
Pat Sowerby (Under 19s)
The Somerset College old boy is a genius in the classroom and a whiz on the footy field.
From Colts 3 to Colts 1 and now the Reds under 19s, Bachelor of Advanced Business UQ student Sowerby has been on a trajectory and has kept turning heads in the Super Rugby under 19s competition.
He has been consistently good, rarely makes errors, wins ball at the breakdowns and has a high work rate on the paddock and of course when studying.
Will McCulloch (Under 19s)
The Reds fullback has looked polished in the first two games, the Padua alumni benefiting from playing Hosptial Cup rugby for the Eagles and sharpening his skills in the Tier One Academy at Ballymore.
He has looked quick as ever, but with more power and strength in contact where he has been able to make valuable post contact metres.
The Reds already have Mac Grealy, Floyd Aubrey and Tim Ryan in similar positions but McCulloch is equally as promising and will spark healthy competition within the playing group.
Ryley Bierton (Under 19s)
Winger Bierton has brought his club form which saw his Souths Colts 1 side surge to the grand final after being the best team in the home and away season.
Bierton is one of those players who is clutch, a player who can produce when it matters and a player who seems to pop up at just the right time.
He did that when he scored a crucial intercept try in the Reds comeback win over the Force in round 2 and he threatened to score again against the ‘Tahs on the weekend.
Alex Kerr (Under 19s)
The Easts lock does the little things right, is always there for a tackle or hit-up and has been a lineout maestro.
He has had a ripping season playing Easts colts 1, Reds under 18s and 19s and has been consistent as they come.
Footnote: These are by no means the best players in the team, they are just a handful of strong performers who have caught the eye so far in the competition.
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