12 Sunshine Coast junior rugby union talents picked for Reds Emerging Cup
Sunshine Coast rugby union coaches have given their praise after 12 rising stars were named in the under-15 and under-16 South East Queensland teams for the Reds Emerging Cup.
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The Sunshine Coast has been proudly represented through rugby union once again with 12 rising stars selected in the under-15 and under-16 South East Queensland teams that will compete at the Emerging Reds Cup in September.
The players will take part in matches against Brisbane Grey, Brisbane White and Regional Queensland, across three days of play at Bulimba’s Riverside Junior Rugby Club from September 19-22.
Read below to find out what the players and coaches of both age divisions had to say following the selections.
UNDER 16s
A number of Sunshine Coast junior rugby union players were nominated by their coaches to take part in a series of trials that included high-intensity drills and match play at Ballymore.
In no particular order here are the five players selected for the Reds Emerging Cup South-East Queensland team with comments from the players and their coaches on why they are players to watch.
Blake Miller (Sunshine Coast Grammar School)
“I’m definitely looking forward now to the quality of footy that will be there, to play against some of the better players in Queensland and hopefully getting selected into the Reds team,” he said.
Sunshine Coast Grammar School’s head of rugby academy Troy Atkins said Miller was an exciting player to watch.
“Blake is a unique specimen actually, he is very fast, has great feet and can play anywhere from 13, wing and fullback,” he said.
“He really owns that outside centre channel when he jumps in there as he is a great defender and is another player that is really committed to the academy as I actually have trouble kicking him off the premises when he’s here from 6am to 6pm.
“He lives and breathes footy and definitely leads on the field by doing which the boys follow as well.”
Nate Hepi (Sunshine Coast Grammar School)
“It will be good to experience what the Queensland level is like and to be able to play against the best players in Brisbane that we don’t usually get the chance to play against is pretty exciting,” Hepi said.
Atkins said Hepi had improved immensely in recent months.
“Nate is a young and up and coming prop,” he said.
“He’s one of the strongest kids I’ve ever seen for his age group, he is a very physical young man and has spent a lot of time in the gym this year to develop his strength.
“He’s very good at the set piece, has a good game sense and could pretty much play anywhere in the front row.”
Jack Franks (Brothers Sunshine Coast)
“At the trials, the coaches were nice and helpful, telling you if you were doing anything wrong or where you could improve,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity at this next level do to better and go further with my game and with my skills.
“Just even coming back from the trials and going back into club footy you learn a lot more and become more equipped I suppose.”
Brothers junior colts coach Brad Williams said Franks was a standout forward on the Sunshine Coast.
“He plays in the second row, is a pretty enthusiastic rugby player and is certainly one of our better trainers,” Williams said.
“Jack and his parents are all very committed as he lives up Maleny way but travels to Brothers for training twice a week and then across the Coast on game day so it’s not easy for him and his parents but they do that very well.
“He’s got a really good work ethic, he’s one of our bigger players but he’s also very mobile and can get around the field really well.
“His fitness is great as he has a workrate similar to a flanker and his key trait is definitely at the breakdown too which is where he makes a big impact on the game.”
Fletcher Fairbanks (Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Maroochydore Swans)
“The trials were really enjoyable with a lot of quality skilled players there and there was a lot to learn as they all expressed a lot of talent,” he said.
“I’m mostly just looking forward to the experience and learning as much as I can at the next level to see how I can use the skills I pick up on to improve even more.”
Atkins said Fairbanks remained a keen learner,
“Fletcher is new to the program and new to the school but he really works hard in terms of his skills at number 10,” he said.
“He’s got a great kicking game, good catch-pass, is a solid defender and he does really surprise people with his abilities.
“He’s very quiet and unassuming but he really knows how to manage a game and again has a great work ethic and is a respectful young man.”
Zac Nicol (Sunshine Coast Grammar School)
“I enjoyed the trials as it was good to see and play against that competition that’s different to the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“To play alongside the boys from club and school was great too and it’s now exciting to go to that next level with a few of them.”
Atkins said Nicol produced plenty of flair and confidence on the field.
“Zac had a season of injury last year so he has worked incredibly hard with his rehab and his time in the gym,” he said.
“If you watch Zac play you’d straight away understand that the number 12 position is his position as he really owns it.
“He has incredible speed off the mark and is definitely one to watch.”
UNDER 15s
Sunshine Coast regional head coach Ian Persini said he was proud of his team's efforts at the under-15s Queensland Schools Rugby Union State Championships in Hervey Bay on July 21-24.
The boys team went into their third place playoff match against Met North with three wins and two losses before the two teams couldn’t be split and the match finished 5-5.
Seven Sunshine Coast players were further selected in the under-15 South-East Queensland squad as well as Sunshine Coast Brothers player Cooper Goodman who would represent Brisbane Grey as he attends Brisbane Boys College.
In no particular order here are the players selected for the Reds Emerging Cup with comments from the players and their coach on why they were standout performers.
Lincoln Payne (St John‘s College Nambour, Maroochydore Swans)
“It was a really competitive environment and everyone was being pushed to the best of their abilities so I really enjoyed it,” he said.
“Now I’m just ready to play my hardest, to work with my teammates and try as best as I can to impress at the next level.”
Regional head coach Ian Persini said Payne was a major point of difference in attack.
“Lincoln was a part of the front row that laid a strong platform for the team,” Persini said.
“His mobility around the field and strong ball carrying enabled our backs to have front foot ball.”
William Graham (St John’s College Nambour, Maroochydore Swans)
Persini said Graham was a key player throughout the tournament.
“Will had a strong carnival playing half back, he showed good communication skills and was a pivotal link between the backs and forwards,” Persini said.
“His ball delivery from the back of the scrums and rucks were strong and enabled the team to go forward.”
Brock Coombes (Immanuel Lutheran College, Brisbane Brothers Rugby Club and Maroochydore Swans)
“It was a high intensity the entire carnival and it was great to play alongside some highly skilled players too,” he said.
“I’m excited for the skill range at the next level and just seeing where it can take me or just to see how far I can go with my skill set and playing ability.”
Persini said Coombes was consistent in attack and defence.
“Brock is a strong ball runner and his strength made him hard to tackle in the outside backs,” Persini said.
“Brock is also strong in defence and made a number of tackles that stopped the opposition attack.”
Zane Glanville (Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Maroochydore Swans)
“The environment at the regional carnival was good, it was a good step up from playing club with more competition and a number of good players there,” he said.
“I reckon it will be good at this next level to see all the upcoming talent, see the future of rugby union I guess and to see how well all my friends and teammates go at these higher levels.”
Persini said Glanville was a major contributor to his team’s success.
“Zane played fly half and his calmness and communication with the players around him enabled our team to play the way we wanted to,” Persini said.
“He showed strong decision making skills and showed he could control the tempo of the game.
“Zane has a strong kicking game that enabled the team to play in good field position and build pressure on the opposition.”
Jarvis Wood (Chancellor State College, Maroochydore Swans)
“It was good, it was a hard competition and from our club team we had a large majority that made the Sunshine Coast team so it was good to still be able to play with my mates that I’ve been playing with for a few years,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to that harder competition, learning new things and meeting some new people which is everything I’m after really.”
Persini said Wood showed his strengths each time he ran the ball.
“Jarvis has a strong ability to make quick decisions in both attack and defence,” Persini said.
“He is another player who’s strength in contact made him had to tackle when running the ball in the centres.”
Nate Thompson (Siena Catholic College)
Persini said Thompson was a strong focal point on both sides of the ball.
“Nate played fullback and was a strong communicator in defence,” Persini said.
“His speed and decision making when injecting himself into the back line enabled a number of line breaks that led to a number of scoring opportunities.”
Kisega Sola (Tullawong State High School, Caboolture Snakes)
Persini said Sola led from the front with his powerful running game.
“Kisega is a very strong prop who was part the front row that provided a strong platform for the team to play off,” Persini said.
“He was a strong carrier of the ball into contact, his size and strength made him hard to tackle.”
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