Club rugby: Colts 1, women’s best 26 X-factor players this season
Club rugby: The Colts 1, women’s best 26 X-factor Players of the Season revealed ahead of Saturday’s semi-finals.
North
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Old foes will clash in the colts 1 and women’s semi-finals on Saturday in a bumper series of matches.
In colts 1 traditional rivals will be featured when Easts play Wests at Sylvan Road (Sci-Fleet Stadium) while minor premiers Brothers take on UQ in a clash (Ashgrove).
And in women’s semi-final action, Sunnybank play Bond (Sylvan Road, Sci-Fleet Stadium) while GPS host Easts (Ashgrove).
The www.couriermail.com.au will continue its coverage and report on the matches.
So who are the X-Factor players who helped these teams into the semi-finals, but also provided hours of enjoyment from the other teams across the season?
THE X-FACTOR PLAYERS OF 2022
Norths
Hamish Muir
A Villanova College old boy, Muir on the counter has hurt many teams this season with his running and left foot boot. He was also stunning on the counter attack and could score tries, and set them up, from a long way out.
Leo Langbridge
According to his coach Dan Ritchie, Langbridge has been a here, there and everywhere man. “He has literally been everywhere on the field, is highly skilled, has a high work rate and is brilliant in broken play,’’ Ritchie said.
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MOST IMPROVED COLTS, WOMEN’S PLAYERS OF 2022
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Sunnybank
Senio Puluga
He played back row and had a free licence to read where to play and decide how he wants to impact a scenario due to his high rugby IQ.
“Again another strong ball carrier who likes to dominate with his tackling,’’ said his coach Brendan Underwood.
Bond
Ethyn Martin
For the second successive season the fullback or outside centre has been one of the most dynamic players in the competition who is always a threat.
GPS
Stuart Tualima
The blindside flanker is both dynamic and skilful but has barely scratched the surface of his potential. He is a player of the future.
University of Queensland
Charlie Wigan
The prop from the Darling Downs is a very talented player capable of performing in both the tight and the wider channels as a prop.
Wigan has developed his lineout throwing to be among the most accurate in the competition and is a genuine try scoring threat.
Ben McMahon
Other x-factor players in the side would be fullback Ben McMahon, a third year colts in his first year of fullback.
He has found himself comfortable with the extra space and is a genuine threat on the counter-attack.
Ethan McFarland
A damaging ball runner who can create something out of nothing. He has all the skills and has the rare ability to break the game open.
Wests
Lebron Naea
According to Wests coach Rob Roiri, Lebron is “the best centre I have seen at this age level in a very long time’’. “He is athletic and has a skill set that makes him a triple threat.’’
RELATED LINKS
GPS FIRST XV RUGBY – ROUND 6 RESULTS HERE
GPS FIRST XV RUGBY – PHOTO GALLERY OF THE SEASON -so far
GPS FIRST XV RUGBY: OUR BEST 22 PLAYERS FROM ROUND 5
Will Johnson
The Darling Downs schoolboys has plenty of speed to burn, but when you add this to his worth ethic and his rugby IQ, he can be in places other people cannot.
Easts
Gus Godwin
The former Villanova First XV player has started in almost every game for the Tigers this season. He is not a big man, but he can motor and is super dangerous from broken play or on the counter attack.
Brothers
Tim Ryan
The St Patrick’s College old boy was the surprise packet of the AIC season in 2021 and he has continued that dynamic form for the premiership pace setters as an outside centre and occasional winger. “He has turned into one of the most exciting players in Colts 1 this year. Every time he gets the ball something happens,’’ said his coach Greg Beaver.
Souths
Towering No. 8 or blindside flanker John Bryant and five-eight-fullback utility Harry McLaughlin Phillips were x-factor players of the highest order at Souths alongside Kullen Pamatatau. Bryant could turn momentum with his courage and leadership carrying the ball, while McLaughlin Phillips could score a try from 30m out, or create one with ease.
WOMEN
GPS
Heleina Young
The new Fijian flyer can create something out of nothing on the flip of a dime with her pace and strong running. It is her first season playing 15s and she is making massive strides.
Tessa Vaogo
Vaogo is a hard running ex-Queensland player able to change the tide of a game with her powerful runs from the back of the scrum and always has an eye for the tryline. She always adds impact.
Sarah Lewis
Lewis has been pivotal in GPS’ success after having her debut season with the Reds.
Her crisp passing from halfback has given the forwards direction while she has also grown her own game.
Her ability to use her box kick has been outstanding and often helps swap momentum.
Norths
Jaaya Trapman
Trapman is an extremely dynamic ball runner, is physical and tough in defence. She also has silky hands and an offloading ability.
“She can played backrow or inside centre with early impact and is just so hard to tackle,’’’ coach Clarke praised.
Bond
Dianne Waight
Waight has been arguably the find of the season for the Bullsharks and would be close to the top of the try scoring stat’s alongside athletics training partner Heleina Young from GPS.
And this is her first year at the level.
Skyla Adams
The youngest Reds Super W player this season, Adams has been in fine attacking form for the Bullsharks and since her return from injury she has helped spark BOnd’s attack alongside her Reds teammate Melanie Wilks.
Easts
Loretta Lealiifano
Fly-half Loretta Lealiifano demonstrates her wealth of knowledge and experience, along with her impressive skills week in, week out.
She has a way of spotting opportunities and has an ability to move players to an area of the field to make the most of those opportunities.
As a natural leader, she displays a rare talent and has developed her knowledge to not only better her team, but the whole Premier Women’s Rugby competition
Souths
Ellie Draper
The current Reds fullback, she has excellent footwork and game understanding and can break a game open and create chances from absolutely nothing. Opposition teams have been double teaming her and she still manages to consistent; y perform at a high level and provide the spark that the side sometimes needs.
Wests
Alana Elisaia
Alana may be one of the Bulldogs smallest players, but she always plays above her weight.
Note: Wests women’s most improved player who missed out last story was Emma Stockwell.
For a 16-17 year old, she has proven that she will be a player to watch in the future. She just keeps getting better every week.
University
Greta Gowan
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