GPS First XV Rugby 2021: Players to Watch, season draw

GPS First XV Rugby 2021 Players to Watch, full season draw here.

Churchie’s shock trial victory over First XV rugby champions Brisbane Boys College has emphasised anything was possible as team’s prepare for the start of the season on Saturday.

So who will be some of the Players to Watch in 2021?

The www.couriermail.com.au will report on the season each Saturday early evening.

IPSWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Braydon O’Sullivan

A second year First XV scrum half who will captain the side after a consistent 2020 season. Coach Michael Abbott said he was a “strong leader’’ who had represented Queensland under 15 and under 16 teams.

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Nathaniel Fox (vice-captain - No. 8)

Fox is IGS’s forward pack leader. Coming from the mid north coast of NSW, he has come through the NSW Country Rugby pathways before moving to Queensland. This is his second season in the Firsts.

Malique Douthat-Sjoberg

A third year First XV centre or winger who has been a big part of IGS’s 2019 and 2020 campaigns. Malique has been involved in the under 18 Reds Academy after coming through the Queensland under 15 junior Gold Cup and Queensland 16 programs.

Sebastian Sialau for TGS.

TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Charlie Wigan

A prop, Wigan will skipper the TGS boys. He is coming off a successful state carnival which saw him named in the Queensland under 18 white team.

Sebastian Sialau

An eye-catching five-eighth with skill to burn, he is the TGS vice-captain. The Rebels have him in their under 18 system.

Joe Currie

Currie is an outstanding centre talent who has been named vice-captain. A third season First XV player, he was recently signed with North Queensland Cowboys.

Syris Schmidt of TSS runs with the ball against BBC during their GPS Rugby clash. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL

Syris Schmidt

Schmidt has the honour of being the TSS Captain of Rugby and the vice-captain of the First XV. A third season First XV No. 10 with exceptional skills, he is calm under pressure and measured in his decision making. “Syris is skilful, intelligent and articulate. He has a professional attitude to preparation and is a genuine leader within the wider school community,’’ said his coach Mike Wallace.

Kaleb Ngamanu

The captain of the First XV, Kaleb is also in his third year in the First XV. A centre, he provides punch and go forward in the TSS backline with his aggressive ball carrying and distribution. “Kaleb is an outstanding captain who understands the game and communicates well with both his teammates and match officials,’’ coach Mike Wallace said. “Kaleb is also highly thought of within the school community and is extremely popular among his peers.’’

Kaleb Ngamanu of TSS. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Campbell Watchirs and Sieg Mackellar

Watchirs as captain and Mackellar as vice-captain are both returning from last year’s First XV. A centre, Watchirs was recently selected in the Queensland under 18 side. A boarder from Inverell, Watchirs was “just the sort of captain we need’’ according to coach Phil Mooney. “He is extremely mature, sets a great example on and off the field, is active and well respected throughout our whole school community. He certainly exemplifies our school motto ‘Nil Sine Labore’ – nothing without hard work.’’

Mackellar plays backrow and like Watchirs, he is also hard working. “He is a mobile backrower – strong over the ball with a high work rate,’’ Mooney noted.

BBC's Taj AnnanImage/Josh Woning)

BRISBANE BOYS COLLEGE

Taj Anna

A third season First XV player, Annan is a gifted playmaker who was No. 15 in last season’s historic premiership winning side, but who could end up at No. 12 for the season opener. Annan is such a talented sportsman that he is also an outstanding First XI batsman.

Lington Ieli

Ieli is one for the little black books. A backrower who has now developed into a prop where his mobility and good ball carrying adds a dimension to the BBC game.

Ollie Milne

A young veteran, Milne was a lock in last season’s premiership winning team. He is a workhorse who leads by his actions.

BBC's Zac Hough pictured in action during Brisbane Boys' College vs Ipswich Grammar School rugby at BBC, Brisbane 17th of August 2019. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

Zac Hough

An open side flanker, Hough is one of the best players in the competition. He is tough, never gives up on any plays and is always a chance of winning ball back for his side - even if it is against the odds.

Daniel Maiava Nudgee College celebrates scoring a try (AAP Image/Darren England)

ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE

Daniel Maiava

A third season First XV player, Maiava is fitter and faster than previous years. He is a mobile lock who has impressed in trial games.

Rocco Gollings playing club rugby on the Gold Coast last season. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

Rocco Gollings

A year 10 student, the under 16 outside back has been close to Nudgee’s best in all of their trials. Director of rugby Sean Graham describes him as “robust in both attack and defence who works hard off the ball’’. He is also a great support player.

ST JOSEPH’S GREGORY TERRACE

Joe Liddy

Liddy is a tall, athletic flanker who will skipper the famous Red and Black side. He is in the Queensland Reds under 18 Academy after making an impression on talent scouts.

BRISBANE STATE HIGH SCHOOL

Bailey Trew

A brilliant young outside back from Logan, Trew is sure to make an impressiion in GPS rugby playing for Brisbane State High School.

ANGLICAN CHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Churchie 1st XV will be under a new head coach Ryan Schultz, who joins the school from his previous roles at Brothers and Gregory Terrace.

“The attitude and effort from the group has been fantastic, the boys have worked very hard during the offseason, and we look forward to seeing results of that hard work on display during the GPS competition,” a college spokesperson said.

“We have a solid forward pack this year, with a good balance of experience and athleticism.” The side will be led by Max Craig at hooker who is in his third season of 1st XV rugby. “Max has been an outstanding player, team member and leader this year.

“He is a quality player, but it has been his leadership and influence off the park that has really driven the group.”

“We have some really exciting backs this year with a good balance of pace out wide and skill and experience in the halves.

“With some quality ball and a bit of time and space, we have the ingredients to trouble some of the top backlines.”

SEASON DRAW

ROUND 1

BBC v TGS

TSS v BGS

BSHS v Nudgee

IGS v Terrace

Churchie (bye)

ROUND 2

Churchie v TSS

Nudgee v BBC

BGS v IGS

Terrace v BSHS

TGS bye

ROUND 3

TGS v Nudgee

IGS v Churchie

BBC v Terrace

BSHS v BGS

TSS bye

ROUND 4

TSS v IGS

Terrace v TGS

Churchie v BSHS

BGS v BBC

Nudgee bye

ROUND 5

Nudgee v Terrace

BSHS v TSS

TGS v BGS

BBC v Churchie

IGS bye

ROUND 6

IGS v BSHS

BGS v Nudgee

TSS v BBC

Churchie v TGS

Terrace bye

ROUND 7

Terrace v BGSS

BBC v IGS

Nudgee v Churchie

TGS v TSS

BSHS bye

ROUND 8

BSHS v BBC

Churchie v Terrace

IGS v TGS

TSS v Nudgee

GBS bye

ROUND 9

BGS v Churchie

TGS v BSHS

Terrace v TSS

Nudgee v Ipswich

BBC bye