Top players to watch in the 2022 Sunshine Coast senior schools rugby union

Sunshine Coast senior school rugby union coaches have revealed their aims for the season and named their players to watch in 2022. See the full list.

From fierce forwards to electric outside backs this year's Sunshine Coast Secondary Schools Rugby Union competition has certainly showcased plenty of rising stars.

With the opening rounds in the books a number of senior students have made their presence felt in the under-18 First XV competitions.

Coaches from across the region have revealed their aim for the season and named which players will be key reasons for their team’s success.

All schools were contacted before the time of publishing.

Sunshine Beach State High School

Season aim: “We’re a state school mixing it up with the private boys, and loving it,” Luke Robertson said.

“A rag-tag hand full of union, rugby league, Aussie rules, football players and some surfers who haven’t played the game in years or not at all.

“Expectations aren’t high, except our own as the 2021 season was the first senior boys rugby union team we’d had for some time and it was a breakout season for us.

“We made the semis but more importantly the whole school got behind us and the same thing is building this season.”

Key Players:

Josh Kendall

“Josh is young but he’s got it all as a super skilful fly-half that runs, kicks and tackles with style, class and massive heart,” Robertson said.

“He’s a keen Noosa Dolphin that lives for rugby and without his persistent enthusiasm we wouldn’t have got a team together at all this season.

“He’s a name you’ll be hearing more of in the future.”

Ockert Visser

“A prince of rugby, this boy is everything you want in a loose forward,” Robertson said.

“He’s strong, fast, aggressive and plays smart footy.

“It’s a hell of a combo and all the boys love playing with him so he’ll definitely go on to big things in rugby.”

Luka Mita

“Luka is our fullback rock,” Robertson said.

“He catches everything and returns the ball like he can’t wait to get it back to where it belongs.

“He’s already a beast and he just keeps getting bigger and better so a player to watch for sure.”

Cody Leitch

“He’s no giant but our captain Cody’s body weight is 90% heart and the other 10% pure rugby brain,” Robertson said.

“He knows the game better than anyone and plays every game to the hilt.

“Big or small, fast or slow, Cody will fight you for every possession.”

Good Shepherd Lutheran College

Season aim: “With a mostly under-16 side, the aim will be to develop as a team in a challenging competition,” said head coach Matt George.

Key players: “Speed around the park will be crucial for us,” he said.

“The Auckland brothers, James (utility back) and Nik (flanker) will be important players as will Sam Lambert (flanker) who thrives on turnovers.

“Tobi Korybutiak will also be an important figure in the front row.”

Ones to watch: “Theodore Shenfield is new to the game but has shown encouraging signs as a lock,” he said.

“He enjoys getting physical and won’t shy away from the battle.

“Rhys Pepper had a strong season last year and we are looking forward to seeing his game grow in the backs.

North Lakes State College

Season aim: “The key goal for the season was to get back into the top four of division one,” said Sean Purvis.

“With a totally new group of players this may be a tough task, but the passion and determination of the group is fantastic and will hopefully lead to some good results throughout the season.”

Key Players:

Jesse Bender

“Jesse is only in Year 10 at NLSC but brings a lot of skill, speed and rugby smarts to the side as a fullback,” Purvis said.

“He has developed his rugby union ability through 7s and is now looking to excel in the 15-a-side game.”

Zander Esterhuizen

“Zander brings a steadiness to the side due to his ability to control the game at halfback and flyhalf,” Purvis said.

“He can snipe from behind the ruck or pass a bullet to the hard running forwards and backline.”

One to watch: Sam Brown

“Sam brings great leadership and calmness to the side through his relationship with the players as vice-captain,” Purvis said.

“He can play at halfback and on the wing and will have a great season as he has been improving each and every training session.”

Sunshine Coast Grammar School

Season aim: “We’ve lost a lot of players from last year, which happens at schoolboy level, so we’re at a bit of a rebuilding stage and focused on bringing through these younger players,” head coach Hosea Gear said.

“We’re still looking to compete but for me it’s about focusing on development and challenging them to ensure they’re continuing to grow not only as players but as young men.”

Key players:

Finn Prass

Sunshine Coast Grammar School student Finn Prass. Photo Patrick Woods.

“Finn has gone from strength to strength these past few seasons and his skill level controlling the backline is arguably some of the best in Queensland for his age,” Gear said.

“There’s still more to come from Finn and we’re expecting big things this year.”

Prass is coming off a highly successful 2021 after being selected in the under-18 Australian A merit side and the under-16 Queensland Maroon team.

Luke Aiken

Sunshine Coast Grammar School student Luke Aiken. Photo Patrick Woods.

“Luke was our halfback last year and will fill that same role again this year and still has another year to go with us which is very exciting,” Gear said.

“He’s very calm and collected at the ruck and works really well with Finn so it will be interesting to see how he develops alongside our other flyhalfs.”

Aiken was also a part of the Queensland Maroon under-16 rugby union team in 2021.

One to watch: Sam Human

“Sam was the captain of the under-15s last year and will look to carry over his already dynamic game to the first 15,” Gear said.

“He has really good leadership qualities, is very hard working and turns up with a good attitude every single training session.”

St Teresa’s Catholic College

Season aim: “Half our squad are new to rugby, but are keen learners,” head coach Jourdan Linthorne said.

“We are hoping that we can keep ourselves in the mix for finals contention as the season progresses with the aim of having an established structure.”

Key Players:

Jack Murray 

“Jack is the team’s momentum,” Linthorne said.

“He is a gigantic young man playing in the forwards, but offering the skills and abilities of a fly-half.

“His eagerness for contact is unparalleled and the combination of skill, aggression and size makes him a frightening individual to line up against.

“If Jack gets the ball, expect to see the team 10m to 20m past the advantage line.”

Zac Mallac 

“Fondly referred to as ‘tic-tac’ due to his size, Zac is an intellectual predator on a rugby field,” Linthorne said.

“He is a chop-tackle enthusiast, ball-hawk and line break specialist.

“Playing flanker, Zac is a true opportunist that picks his moments to terrorise opposition breakdowns and seeks out tip passes to keep defences on the back foot.

“Always keep an eye on where Zac is on the field as chaos will soon follow.”

Ones to watch:

Flynn Charman

“Flynn’s enthusiasm for the team’s success is obvious as he enjoys being out in the trenches with the boys,” Linthorne said.

“Flynn is a very skilful backline player, who as a Year 11 student is working on refining his game as a fly-half.

“He’s always been a well sized and talented player but his capacity to take on new concepts and work on micro-skills is really starting to push his game.

“He is being thrown new mental challenges in his structural understanding, game-sense and leadership each and every week and he will threaten defences from all angles at the back end of the season.”

Mack Frey and Louie Griffen

“Both Mack and Louie are under-16 boys that have boldly put up their hands to help support the under-18 squad through dispensation,” Linthorne said.

“Playing against older opposition is always a mental obstacle, but these young men have shown they have both the head and heart to hold their own.

“They are very talented ball distributors and while they play and read the game differently, it offers us great change of pace options at scrum half.

“The program is very much looking forward to working with these two fine young men over the next three seasons and we are hopeful that this season is huge confidence boost to their development.”

St John’s College

Season aim: “This year’s goal is to continue to build on the SJC Rugby Culture that the past players and coaches of our first 15 have built,” Brendan Macaulay said.

“We have a young squad this year, many quite new to rugby union, so our focus is on developing these players while at the same time giving our Year 12 students the farewell they deserve,” he said.

Key Players:

Lachlan Back

“Lachy is an absolute workhorse for our team and plays as a second rower or flanker,” Macaulay said.

“He takes control of our lineouts and gives 100 per cent to every training and game that he is involved in.

“Lachy is a fearless leader and a fierce competitor.”

Jack Goudge

“Jack is a highly skilled and dynamic rugby player and is also the co-captain of the team.,” Macaulay said.

“He has the role of leading our young backline around the paddock this year at fly-half and there is no doubt he will excel in the playmaking role in 2022.”

Jeb Moore

“This is Jeb’s first year in the first 15 and so far he has done nothing but impress at the number eight position,” Macaulay said.

“Jeb loves the contact in both attack and defence and is a pivotal aspect of our team’s go-forward each game.

“Jeb is a versatile player who may pop up in our backline from time to time throughout the season.”

Ones to watch:

Tyler Beardmore

“Tyler has only recently joined the SJC rugby community but is a very intelligent and well-skilled rugby player,” Macaulay said.

“He knows his role in the team and plays this role to a high-level game after game, getting better and better with each game.

“Tyler is also extremely versatile as a player and can be trusted in most positions within the backline.”

Harley Cushan

“Being relatively new to rugby, Harley has made a huge impact in the front row and gained selection in the Sunshine Coast under-18 schoolboys side,” Macaulay said.

“He is a hard ball runner, strong defender, and loves a contested scrum.”

Matthew Flinders Anglican College

Season aim: “Our expectation is to just keep improving each game and to then see where our performances take us,” head coach John Papahatzis said.

“We have about 12 of our starting 15 as Year 12 students which is good so we want to make the finals and then go from there.

“I don’t like singling out individuals and I’ve only had them this year so we’re looking at everybody playing their role in their certain position and contributing to the team as a whole.”

Siena Catholic College

Season aim: “Key aim is of course, like all teams, is to make the grand final and win the premiership,” Luke Parnemann said.

“We have several new players to key positions this year, so focusing on strengthening these combinations and executing in key moments will be fundamental to us being competitive.”

Key Players:

Zac Sinclair

“Zac has come into his own as a loose forward this year,” Parnemann said.

“He is a strong and effective ball runner and has a great work rate.”

Riley Collins

“Riley was solid at fullback in 2021 and his move to halfback this year will bring him closer to the action,” Parnemann said.

“ His experience and communication will be vital in executing our game plan.”

Billy Koina

“Billy has moved to flyhalf for 2022 as he is a skilful and experienced player,” Parnemann said.

“The coaching staff and players are looking forward to seeing what he can make happen.”

One to watch: Lachlan Beath

“Lachlan will be a standout as a loose forward for us this season,” Parnemann said.

“His speed and rugby knowledge are impressive and he has a great work rate, both in attack and defence.

“He’s an exceptional leader who inspires the players around him to do the same.”