Finn Prass, Luke Aiken and Joe Wikaira selected in Queensland Reds U18 team
Three Sunshine Coast Grammar School students are another step closer to their Super Rugby dream after being selected in the Queensland Reds under-18 Academy team.
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Three tight-knit Sunshine Coast rugby union talents are continuing to impress selectors at the elite level after being named in the Queensland Reds under-18 Academy team that will travel to Canberra on September 19, 2022.
The trio are hopeful their firmly forged friendship will put them in good stead to impress when given their chance.
Sunshine Coast Grammar Students Finn Prass, Luke Aiken and Joe Wikaira will take on the ACT Brumbies on September 20 and the New South Wales Waratahs on September 25 with the hope of being selected in the under-18s Australian team.
All three standout Sunshine Coast Grammar students were also chosen in the Queensland U16 Maroon team in 2021.
It comes after 12 other Sunshine Coast under-15 and under-16 talents were picked in the South East Queensland teams to compete at the emerging Reds Cup from September 19-22.
Read below to find out what the players had to say following their selections.
Finn Prass
The flair-filled fly half said he was excited for the coming matches.
“I am humbled to be given the opportunity and grateful to the coaches and teammates from SCGS Rugby Academy, the Queensland Reds Academy and Brisbane Brothers Rugby Club who have helped me grow both on and off the field, over the past few years,” he said.
“Playing against the best players in the country is extremely exciting, as we have the opportunity to challenge ourselves at this level.
“Also, just to really absorb the experience and take it all in, as it’s another great learning and development opportunity.”
Prass was again looking to impress at the state level after he was selected in the under-18 Australian A merit side in 2021, despite being only 16.
He said he hoped to further his skills.
“I hope to continue to learn as much as I can, being surrounded by high level coaches and players really gives us the best environment to improve our game,” he said.
Luke Aiken
Aiken, who plays as a halfback, said he thanked the efforts of his coaches and teammates for helping him reach the Queensland level.
“The travelling is both nerve-racking and exciting as this opposition is the best I have ever versed so I look forward to testing my skills and learning more in these big games,” he said.
“I look forward to getting the little one percenters out of these training sessions and being further exposed to high class coaches.”
The Grammar trio had played school and club rugby together since under-12s and Aiken said it was another high level experience they were eager to share.
“It's always easy playing alongside the boys and a great experience for the three of us,” he said.
Joe Wikaira
Winger and pace specialist Wikaira said he would welcome any further improvement to his game.
“I’m very proud of myself, I’ve been working hard since the last block just trying to work on the smaller skills to help with my overall game.
“I’m hoping to gain knowledge in areas that I’m not the best in, just listening and trying to absorb all the information that I am given so I can put it into my game.”
Wikaira and Prass also took out the Queensland Premier Rugby Colts 2 premiership with Brothers Rugby Club on September 17 with a 32-26 win over UQ.
Wikaria said he was looking forward to taking the field alongside his classmates once again.
“It’s awesome I love playing with Luke and Finn, we’ve done it for a long time, we are basically brothers at this point,” he said.
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