16 Sunshine Coast Rugby Union players have been selected in the QLD Country Team
Some of the Coast’s best rugby union players have been snapped up for state honours following standout performances. SEE THE LIST
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The Sunshine Coast has been proudly represented once again through local sport, this time at a Queensland level through rugby union.
Sixteen of the Coast's best rugby union players have been selected in the Queensland Country team that is set to compete in Adelaide later this year.
There has been eight players selected in the U19s men's team and a further eight selected for the women's team.
We caught up with each player's club coach and asked them what made each player a step above the rest.
WOMEN'S TEAM
Noosa Dolphins Representatives
Laurence Epstein - Women's Assistant Coach
Tess Evans - Hooker/Utility Forward
After the success Evans has shown already at a club level, she is arguably one of the Coast's best women's players and Epstein said he takes pride in helping develop her skills.
"She is an amazing leader on and off the ball and leads from the front very well," Epstein said.
"She carries the ball really well, is a solid defender and has a huge engine so she just never stops."
Dillyn Blackburn - Second Row
Epstein said the skills and knowledge that Blackburn has shown over the past couple of years have been amazing to see.
"She is a very solid ball carrier and a really good defender," he said.
"Her biggest positive is her work and strength at the breakdown in both attack and defence."
Pearl Fitzgerald - Scrum Half
Has never been one of the biggest players on the field but Epstein said she sure is one of the toughest.
"A Coast young gun that has an extremely good pass and is tough as nails," he said.
"She constantly completes the little things to such a high degree which is exactly what you want from your number nine."
Naomi Tomlinson - Fly half
One of the best ball playing backs on the Sunshine Coast and Epstein said she's a well deserved Queensland Country player.
"She is the go-to ballplayer and is constantly controlling the backline extremely well," he said.
"Her skills with the ball are unmatched and she is a fierce competitor."
Imogen Mcleod - Inside Centre
Imogen, or 'Imy', has been playing Union on the Sunshine Coast for a while as she started out playing against the boys in the junior competition.
She's now another one of the Coast's best outside backs and Epstein says it's clear to see why she has been selected.
"Her defensive game for a back is one of the best and she matches that with solid spatial awareness and overall skill with the ball," he said.
University Barbarians Representatives
Orions Rees - Women's head coach
Megan Prinsloo - Flanker/Number 8
A player that plays with her heart on her sleeve, Rees said she is excited and ready for the next level.
"She is really focused and has that drive to perform well at the next level," he said.
"Her work at the breakdown and the way she is able to steal the ball from the opposition is another good skill of hers."
Kaitlan Woods - Scrum Half/Fly Half
Rees said she is a very skilful player and one that is able to control her backline with poise.
"She is a very clever player when she has the ball in her hands and she has a good rugby knowledge," he said.
"Her ability to decide which situation is going to have the best outcome for her team and her backline is an elite skill."
Caloundra Lighthouse Representatives
Dion Cassidy - Women's head coach
Krystal Johnston - Number 8
Cassidy said that the ability she has at club level is evident in many ways as to why she has been selected to represent Queensland Country.
"Her work ethic is better than anyone and her extreme fitness is a massive positive," he said.
"She is easily the hardest worker in our team and her work in and around the breakdown is another big reason to why I think she has been selected."
U19s MEN'S TEAM
Maroochydore Swans Representatives
Kaleb Talbot - Colts head coach
Charlie McGovern - Second Row
McGovern is seen as one of the Coast's loudest and biggest forwards and Talbot said he is one of his team's strongest leaders across the pitch.
"He's such a big talker and can run a set piece really well especially off of a lineout," he said.
"The skills he shows when he has the ball in his hands is really promising especially for a big second rower."
Ollie Baker - Prop
The form Baker has shown so far has seen him be rewarded with a few starts in the Maroochydore A-grade side and Talbot said it's easy to see why.
"His biggest positive is his strength and power, especially at a scrum," he said.
"He is a player who loves to tuck the ball under his arms and produce a solid carry."
Noosa Dolphins Representatives
Eric Smyth - Colts head coach
Leo Langbridge - Flanker
Langbridge is a player that has burst onto the rugby union scene in the last few years and that is recognised by his coach Eric Smyth.
"Leo has come a long way over the past three or so years," he said.
"His ability to ball play is a massive skill to have and it makes him an excellent back rower.
"His ability and knowledge at the lineout is another major positive he has."
Tyson Schefe - Inside/Outside Centre
After making the switch from rugby league Smyth said that Schefe has excelled his way into representative footy.
"The way he plays is super direct and it's what makes him a really good centre," he said.
"He always bends the defensive line when he carries the ball and defends fiercely."
Ben Roberts - Wing
Roberts has been a standout winger on the Sunshine Coast for the past few years and his coach Eric Smyth is in complete support of those statements.
"Ben is my pick of the wingers in the competition," he said.
"I think he has been the best for the past couple of years and he has really developed a smart ability to read plays and to finish as well.
"He is also really good at beating the last couple of defenders whether it be through kicking, stepping or fending them off to get across the tryline."
Kynan Ashton-Martin - Fullback
Ashton-Martin is a real spark in any backline and Smyth said it doesn't matter where he is on the field he will do everything he can to make something happen.
"He's a real X-factor sort of player," Smyth said.
"He can tear teams apart from 50,60,70 metres out if he gets the ball in any sort of broken play.
"He shines when he has the ball in his hands and can really punish teams off the back of that."
University Barbarians Representatives
John Williams - Reserve Grade assistant coach
Logan Pickering - Loose Forward
Pickering has been a recognised player all through his junior ranks and Williams said he is yet to show any signs of slowing down.
"He is someone that has a lot of good qualities and it's hard to pin it down to just one or two things that set him apart," Williams said.
"Whether it's at the breakdown, through scrummaging, lineout work, his overall versatility around the park, there isn't really a chink in his armour but ultimately it's his ability to read the game and use those skills to the best of his ability."
Josh Mostert - Scrumhalf
Another USC junior that Williams said continues to improve his game and skill level.
"He is a very strong minded player and will take on the physicality side of the game really well," he said.
"The small technicalities and knowledge of the game is recognised through his play style which also makes him a very coachable player."
Originally published as 16 Sunshine Coast Rugby Union players have been selected in the QLD Country Team
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