TAS First XV rugby 2025: Team of the Season revealed
The TAS First XV rugby team of the season can be revealed after St Columban’s powered to its third-straight premiership. See which schoolboys sizzled in 2025 here.
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The TAS First XV rugby premiership race has been run and won by St Columban’s College who brought up its third successive title.
After losing to Ormiston College in the 2022 grand final, STC have not lost a First XV game in three seasons and their dominance this year is reflected in the annual team of the season.
Of the 25-man team, 10 STC players have been picked after running in a whopping 266 points in an unbeaten six-game campaign.
The final placings were: STC (6-0, 24pts), Canterbury College (5-1, 21pts), Ormiston College (4-2, 18pts), St Paul’s School (2-4, 12pts), WestMAC (2-4, 12pts), John Paul College (2-4, 12pts) and CHAC (0-6, 6pts).
TAS RUGBY TEAM OF THE YEAR
1. Ashton Snell (Ormiston)
Snell, a prop who fed the Ormiston lineout with distinction, also gave the impression he could play flanker with ease.
A loosehead in a hooker’s build, Snell was arguably Ormiston’s best over the ball with his jackling ability second-to-none when he got the chance to let rip.
The Redbacks captain was quick to get his hands dirty whenever an opponent made a foray into the 22m, Snell often one of the first on the scene getting over the ball and repelling them.
A great leader who was like a hooker, prop and flanker bound into one.
2. James Iva (Canterbury)
James Iva followed in the footsteps of his sister Madisen-Jade who was a schoolgirl sporting wonder at Canterbury who played netball, rugby and league at a high level.
As the season progressed, raw talent Iva grew into his role as a hooker because coming through the ranks he was a backrower.
Iva ended up being a sure thing with his lineout throws and he partnered his effectiveness in the set piece with light footwork and aggression in the contact areas.
A third flanker, Iva made the hooking position his own after it was made up for grabs in pre-season.
3. Hamish Hutchinson (St Columban’s)
The loosehead prop was a good player and even better captain.
Early last year Hutchinson suffered a serious knee injury and he was determined to get back and give his team a boost.
The inspiring skipper was often seen in the school gym every morning, working hard to rehabilitate his knee.
He well and truly made up for lost time, Hutchinson performing well each week before taking out the school’s First XV MVP award.
It was a just reward for a bloke who got the job done at prop despite hooker being his preferred position.
4. Max Newton (Canterbury)
Newton was a “follow me” type of leader for Canterbury, someone who led with his actions.
He was in anything and everything, at the forefront of Canterbury’s charge when he could be.
Newton missed key games against St Columban’s (South Coast trial) and Ormiston (shoulder injury) but in the four he did play he did enough to earn a place in this company.
5. Charlie Gardiner (CHAC)
A versatile forward who has the ability to play positions four through to eight, Gardiner gave his all as captain and led from the front.
Regularly making the most carries in a game, Gardiner was a great lineout jumper that made lineout time a strength for CHAC.
Gardiner’s grand campaign is evident in his selection in the inaugural TAS squad set to compete at the Australian Schools Rugby Championships this July on the Sunshine Coast.
He played No. 8 but to get him into the team he has been named at lock, a position he is best suited to.
6. Leo Price (John Paul College)
The JPC flanker knew no bounds.
If he could have been cloned, he would’ve been. That is how much work he got through in a 70 minute game of rugby and coach Josh Kron would’ve loved having two Price’s out there.
The fierce flanker hit the breakdowns with ferocity, defended like he had a chip on his shoulder and was just reliable week-in-week-out.
He led the charge for JPC.
7. Ma’afu Takai (Canterbury)
The Canterbury leader was dynamite in everything he did.
A flanker who played inside centre, Takai took no prisoners with his uncompromising defence and attack.
The Year 12 was a rock in the midfield who challenged breakdowns hard and often to ensure Canterbury finished the season in second place.
8. Uri Torkington (St Columban’s)
Torkington played both No. 8 and outside centre and did a cracking job regardless of what jersey number was on his back.
A second rower in last year’s team, the aggressive Torkington had sharp footwork, quick feet and a hunger to run the ball.
Those traits created a cocktail of success.
9. Luke Harvey (St Columban’s)
Harvey offered the best of both worlds because in the past he had played as a tight-five forward but when his team needed a halfback he was quick to learn from the best in coach Mosiah Christian.
Someone who got better with every experience in a new position, Harvey pushed himself and ended up being one of his team’s most consistent players.
Quick to the ruck and physical at the breakdown, the lock turned scrumhalf was not afraid to get his hands dirty and look after the ball with a vicious clean out.
10. Charley Ogden (St Columban’s)
Just all-round impressive this season, Ogden started the first three matches at fullback before implementing a vastly-improved kicking game when installed at flyhalf for the final three.
A key piece of the premiership puzzle, Ogden had a booming boot which complimented his playmaking ability and off the cuff running game that saw him create some stunning chip-and-chase tries.
Had vision in attack and the strength and skill to make things happen.
11. Dom Filipo (St Columban’s)
The competition’s elite winger.
Filipo turned it on to score countless tries in 2025 and, even if he only played half a match, his presence was felt.
Scintillating at his best, Filipo seemed to have a telepathic connection with his brother Akeli, the class No. 12 of the competition.
12. Akeli Filipo (St Columban’s)
A serious talent who let rip almost every game to give his side an edge.
Filipo was quiet off the field but on the field he was almost a different person because he came to life and was able to do almost anything.
A versatile rugby league junior who has played fullback, five-eighth and hooker, Filipo can also cover flyhalf and outside centre in rugby.
But he was at his best at inside centre, a position coach Christian thinks he would thrive in if he pursued the 15-a-side code.
Filipo had skill, IQ, soft hands and a certain physicality which meant he was never out of the game for long.
13. Eduard Welgemoed (Ormiston)
Ormiston’s go-to guy in a crises, Welgemoed took on the responsibility of two players meshed into one as a No. 13 strike weapon.
The team’s leading tryscorer with seven, Welgemoed was simply the best.
Just give him the ball and watch him go. He does things others cannot.
14. Josh Forsyth (St Columban’s)
Forsyth played all six games and had the ability to play positions 10 through to 15 if needed.
A talented basketballer, Forsyth used his background on the hardwood to reel in high kicks and get up above his opponent to take catches.
However Forsyth made his presence felt most on defence when he made big contact.
15. Angus Toovey (St Paul’s)
The Pumas fullback had a season to remember and he will be a great addition to any club rugby team in 2026.
The scorer of 50 points across the season, No. 15 Toovey was the reason his team was able to stay in contests.
He continually brought the ball back with vim and vigour and was a genuine threat whenever he had the ball with room to rove.
Originally coach Andrew Thomas would have been worried that the void left by former schoolboy star Liam Payne but was not going to be filled but it was indeed by the terrific Toovey.
RESERVES
16. Luke Gilbert (Ormiston)
Gilbert was a top gun with his leg drive, discipline and power.
A prop or hooker, the flexible Gilbert gave his side an all-or-nothing effort every round and you get the impressive his unrelenting attitude was contagious.
17. Charlie Pickering (WestMAC)
The WestMAC prop was a workhorse from round 1 to seven and everywhere in between.
His powerful carries got WestMAC over the gain line often and in defence he maintained a high standard to be the first at the breakdown and pilfering the ball.
He had a standout year which followed an impressive 2024 season as well.
18. Harry Dean (St Columban’s)
Dean’s physicality and improved fitness was a big positive in a superb campaign by STC.
His team plays a fast, up-tempo game and tighthead Dean did well to get around the park for 70 minutes of all six games.
He played them without rest and did so while making jolting tackles, not chop tackles.
He was elite.
19. Jack Reynolds (St Columban’s)
Reynolds was the bedrock on which the STC lineout was built and without him the side would not have enjoyed all the clean lineout ball they thrived off.
A top notch lineout caller and jumper, Reynolds was ultra-important and played all six games from start to finish.
20. Jack Brown (St Columban’s)
Brown brought the muscle to STC’s premiership pursuit and he came up trumps.
A physical presence who broke tackles with ease, Brown scored plenty of tries for his troubles and was one of the hardest to bring down in the entire competition.
In defence the tireless backrower maintained the rage to put ballrunners on their backs, attack the breakdown and then do it all again.
A surprise packet player for coach Christian, Brown started the school season with a bang when he tackled everything that moved in a trial against Sunshine Coast Grammar and his standards never wained.
21. Joseph Schmalkuchen (WestMAC)
The tall Schmalkuchen dominated his space in the lineouts and in defence also had his way at times too.
Away from lineout time he was also worth his weight in gold, constantly providing front foot ball with his carries and punishing ballrunners with stoic defence.
22. Charlie McIntosh (St Paul’s)
McIntosh was a pillar of strength in defence from the first whistle of the season to the last.
Arguably St Paul’s best defender, McIntosh surely set his peers and younger players in the school a great example of good tackling technique and good sportsmanship.
He was the type of player who made a timely tackle when his team needed it.
A big presence.
23. Khalis Southon (Canterbury)
The Year 10 scrumhalf was the competition’s youngest in his position and extremely well rounded, albeit the box-kicking game is a work in progress.
The Canterbury rookie got around the park in a flash before releasing quick and accurate ball from the ruck base.
His scheming running game was best seen against Ormiston in round 7 when, with a darting run, he landed the matchwinning blow.
He is small but packs a punch in defence and played like he had a chip on his shoulder this year.
24. Lebron Tusitala (Canterbury)
Tusitala was fun to watch and someone who contributed greatly towards Canterbury’s successful season.
He was a natural who possessed a mix bag that helped Canterbury topple Ormiston in the final round.
Indeed he could run, pass and kick at a very high level.
25. Samson Noffke (WestMAC)
Noffke was a weapon at fullback, flyhalf and even centre at times. He stood out with his vision, unpredictability and turn of foot.
An added bonus was his booming right boot that wreaked havoc on the regular.
Noffke is just a sportsman through and through. He can score runs with the best of them as a top-order batsman and that coordination served him well this season in key positions for WestMAC.
THE FANTASTIC NINE WHO ONLY JUST MISSED OUT
Elijah Barron (John Paul College)
Barron brought the goods in a challenging season for JPC.
He was safe under the high ball and at the peak of his powers with the ball in hand and with a little wriggle room.
He worked hard tracking the opponent’s attack and moving from sideline to sideline to try have it all covered.
Joel McLaughlin (St Columban’s)
The STC forward utility was an unsung hero in his team’s run to three straight premierships.
A flanker who channeled his best as a hooker, McLaughlin did what he needed to do for the cause and he outdid himself.
A great scrummager, McLaughlin “killed it” according to coach Mosiah Christian.
Oli Rauchle (St Paul’s)
The Pumas were unlucky not to have their captain courageous for more games but in the matches he did play, Rauchle made a palpable difference.
An inside centre of considerable size, Rauchle played well but led even better.
The 66th captain at St Paul’s, Rauchle led from the front in a young team that displayed plenty of intensity and passion.
Harry McDowell (WestMAC)
McDowwell’s snappy service was an underrated aspect in a good WestMAC season.
His quick and clean service was to die for and his ability to manage field position with smart tactical kicking showed his class.
Will Greenwood (CHAC)
Greenwood started the season as a backrower but when injury struck, the tackle-busting utility found a home in the centres.
The makeshift centre consistency broke tackles punching through the midfield and post-contact metres were almost always a by-product when the ball found his capable hands.
He just found a way through and is going to again in 2026 when he returns a year older and wiser.
Roux Basson (Ormiston)
The Ormiston ace was sizzling and perfectly suited to the wing position because he had the speed and finesse to finish backline shifts.
Possessing genuine pace, Basson left a blazing trail in his wake when he scored tries this season and when the ball shifted to his wing, teammates had faith he’d score, stay in the field of play or manovre past a defender or two.
Peter Elliot (CHAC)
The attacking maestro gave CHAC another dimension from the ruck when he took matters into his own hands and chose to run.
He was also top notch in his core role of running the attack, all the while keeping defenders on their toes with his scheming running game.
Elliot was also daring in defence. He did not shirk his defensive responsibilities, often saving tries on the CHAC tryline to show he’s more than happy to put his body on the line.
Ashton Gills (Ormiston)
The flyhalf-fullback utility was wonderful for Ormiston.
At his best Gills was a game-changer, someone his teammates relied on to create in attack and man up in defence.
He did both those things with distinction as one of the competition’s premier No. 10s.
Rohan Mendis-Galpin (Canterbury)
Mendis-Galpin was the glue of Canterbury’s tight five, a big improver who gathered confidence and skill as the season progressed.
The determinated front-rower garnished his best ever season at Canterbury by scoring a handful of tries in a season where he “came into his own” according to coach Josh Afu.
FUTURES WATCH
+ Keep a watch on rock-solid St Columban’s midfielder Oliver Sampson.
+ Nimble Canterbury College backrower Illanois Southon.
+ Emerging John Paul College trio Jack Crameri (hooker), Rocco Boulter (centre) and Daniel Holdway (prop).
+ Tom Smith. The Ormiston No. 9 was simply superb.
+ An exciting Canterbury trio featuring fullback Keoni Brown, his second-row forward Sitaleki Tafa and hooker Bentley Horne.
+ Ormiston trojan worker Angus Plastow. His season was hindered by injury but he is a revered player who would’ve added plenty in more ways than one for the Redbacks.
Originally published as TAS First XV rugby 2025: Team of the Season revealed
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