Sunshine Coast Grammar, Noosa Dolphins and Maroochydore Swans rugby union talents picked for Queensland honours
These young rugby union talents are making the most of their breakout years snapping up spots in hotly contested Queensland representative sides. See who made the cut.
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Five junior Sunshine Coast rugby union stars are looking to follow in the footsteps of the region’s best after snapping up spots in Queensland Reds representative teams.
The players from Sunshine Coast Grammar, Noosa Dolphins and the Maroochydore Swans were selected after their efforts representing South East Queensland at the at the Emerging Reds Cup and the under 19 Queensland Country tour.
The Reds under 15s team will play the NSW Waratahs and be joined in the off-season by a Reds Academy Development Squad for training and skill development.
The under 16s and under 19s squads will play in a new national competition against junior sides representing the ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Western Force and the Melbourne Rebels.
Matches will be played from October 9 to November 13 in Brisbane, Canberra and Western Australia.
It comes after Sunshine Coast Grammar Students Finn Prass, Luke Aiken and Joe Wikaira represented the Queensland Reds under-18 Academy team on September 20 and 25.
See what the players had to say about their exciting selections.
UNDER 19s
Matt Brice (Noosa Dolphins)
Dolphins reserve player Matt Brice was the only person outside of the Brisbane premier grade competition to be selected in the under 19s.
“I am really proud of my efforts, I work very hard in all my training sessions and put 110 per cent into all my games,” he said.
“I am trying to soak up as much information from the high level coaches while also playing alongside the best 19-year-olds in Queensland.”
Brice welcomed the transition from halfback to fullback.
“When I was younger playing at the Noosa Dolphins I was the smallest in the team so I was positioned at halfback but as there has never been a 6ft 5 halfback I had to transition to a new position being fullback,” he said.
“Playing fullback is very similar to halfback with directing traffic, my kicking game has really improved over the last couple years, I enjoy returning high balls and have the time to play what’s in front of me.”
Former Sunshine Coast players Willem Johnstone, Harry Grant, Tanna Wilson and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips have also been named for the squad.
UNDER 16s
Zac Nicol (Sunshine Coast Grammar)
Nicol, who predominantly plays in the centres, said he was proud of his recent performances.
“I’m very excited to get selected for the Queensland under 16s, to play against other Australian states and I’m really looking forward to the challenges ahead,” he said.
Nicol said he was hoping to improve his overall game and looked forward to sharing the field with his Grammar teammate Blake Miller.
“It is very exciting to be playing with Blake as we have been playing alongside and against each since we were about 12-years-old.
“I look forward to representing my family, enjoying the challenges and experiences ahead, and to just have fun.”
Blake Miller (Sunshine Coast Grammar)
“I’m very proud to make this team and very grateful to be where I’m at,” Miller said.
“This was my ultimate goal coming into this season and I am very humbled to achieve this.
“Thank you to the coaching staff here at Grammar for teaching me and guiding me to be the best I can be and helping me to develop my skills to be selected in this team.”
Miller said he was excited for the challenges ahead.
“I can’t wait to be guided by these high level coaches which will teach me how to be a better player both on and off the field,” he said.
“I’m hoping to develop my skills as a footy player and become a better athlete and teammate.”
UNDER 15s
William Graham (Maroochydore Swans)
The crafty halfback said he was excited for the upcoming matches and training sessions.
“I’m very proud of myself, it still doesn’t feel real that I have made this side so I’m excited to show my skills,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to being coached by high level coaches that will improve my skills and help my rugby journey in the future.
“I’m very grateful to the coaches from club, school and rep that have allowed and guided me to be able to make this team.”
Graham said it would be a great experience to share the field with his club teammate Brock Coombes.
“It’s surreal to be playing with Brock, we’ve played together and known each other at Maroochydore since we were nine-years-old and it’s very exciting to be now playing with him in the under 15 Queensland Reds team,” he said.
Brock Coombes (Maroochydore Swans, Brisbane Brothers Rugby Club)
“I’m definitely proud of myself and I’ve come a long way since last year, going from playing club rugby to now making the Queensland side is definitely something I’m grateful for,” he said.
“I’ve put in the work and it’s starting to show but I’m still going to keep working as hard as possible, making this team doesn’t change anything.”
Coombes, who plays as an outside back, said he would welcome any improvement to his game.
“I’m hoping to grow my connections with some high level coaches and teammates from all over Queensland, and to learn more about my position,” he said.
“Running out playing for the Queensland squad with some of the boys I’ve played club with for years is going to be a great experience.”
Former Sunshine Coast Brothers players Cooper Goodman and Clay Andrews were selected in the development squad.
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