Schoolboy talent pool in waiting for rugby sevens after Commonwealth Games blowout
Australia failed to medal in the men’s Commonwealth Games rugby sevens but these 38 schoolboys have the potential to lead the green and fold to a future podium finish. SEE THE LIST
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Australia has missed a medal in the Commonwealth Games Men’s Rugby Sevens tournament but there’s no need for alarm.
A review of the rugby talent pools in Queensland’s GPS, AIC and Colts 1 competitions has revealed there are plenty of emerging options in the countdown to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics as the country searches for a way to the podium.
See the list of schoolboy rugby talents who could lead Australia to future glory below.
Meet the 38 elite schoolboys
GPS
Ryan Shaw (Brisbane Grammar School)
Shaw is one of the sharpest flyhalves to come out of Brisbane Grammar in recent times.
The tricks up his sleeve, including a super offload, were on show against Gregory Terrace in Round 3 of the GPS First XV season.
His best trick of all - a super offload. He’d fit right in with that Fiji Sevens team.
Will Allen (Brisbane Grammar School)
Allen’s support play earns him a spot on the list. He just shows up, is joined by the hip with whoever is on the charge and pops up for scoring opportunities when it matters.
Wihan Kruger (Toowoomba Grammar School)
With his crafty kicks in general play, Kruger would be instrumentalin the sevens game.
He knows to plug corners and turn the opposition around when kicking for field position.
Dre Pakeho (Churchie)
Dre Pakeho would use his ball-carrying to rampage through the defense.
In a sport like sevens where there are plenty of one-on-one situations, Pakeho would come out on top almost every instance.
Just think of the likes of Samu Kerevi - big and powerful, while possessing a dynamic step and great balance.
Frankie Goldsbrough (Churchie)
Goldsbrough is a big mobile talent - he has good hands, is a try scorer and as a forward, he’d be great in sevens.
Mac Kelley (Churchie)
Three words come to mind when describing Mac Kelley - quick, competitive and strong. All are qualities which are invaluable in sevens.
Tory Bath (Nudgee College)
Fleet of foot is how to describe Bath.
He’s quick, elusive and has very good vision and n top of that, he has a good attacking kick with pace to burn.
Maddox Maclean (Nudgee College)
Maclean is sharp off the tee but the best is yet to come from the Nudgee centre with Sydney Roosters signed Robert Toia out for the season with a knee injury.
Jamie Alexander (Brisbane Boys’ College)
Alexander is a scrum half threat. He gets his teammates involved heavily, putting them into gaps with quick on-the-spot thinking.
Samson Tuqiri (Brisbane Boys’ College)
The son of dual international, Lote Tuqiri, Samson has wheels to burn.
He’s a fast mover with a deceiving step.
Xavier Rubens (Brisbane Boys’ College)
Where do you start with BBC’s golden boy Xavier Rubens?
With lightning speed, a strong fend and a powerful frame, Rubens would wreak plenty of havoc in sevens.
Chase Oates (Toowoomba Grammar School)
Oates’ best quality is reading the play in advance.
He’s had a couple of intercepts already this GPS rugby season and was Toowoomba’s man-of-the-match in Round 3.
Archie Xavier (Gregory Terrace)
Although the sevens field is no place for a specialist halfback, Archie Xavier, arguably the best halfback in the GPS competition, would give it a crack.
He could play a linking role in the middle of the field, he tackles well, is quick and has a superb kicking game, a valuable skill in sevens.
Toshi Butlin (Brisbane State High School)
Butlin has blistering pace and a sensational step, reminiscent of Corey Toole.
State High’s First XV winger would be one of the best for the game of sevens.
If Butlin has even a bit of room to move, you’ll see him burn up the middle, dancing his way around defenders.
Tuave and Siliva Leofa (Brisbane State High School)
Tuave and Siliva are a silky smooth backline double from State High and watching them connect is a must see.
They would excel in rugby sevens with their passes out in front and to the chest, kicking precision and crucial straightening up of the attack.
AIC
Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki (St Edmund’s College)
Ah-ki the sniping scrumhalf from Ipswich, who would be a menace in the sevens format.
He loves a blindside scoot and isn’t afraid to pick it up from the ruck, catch the opposition sleeping and spear away downfield and also has a quality passing game.
Kadin Pritchard (St Peters Lutheran College)
Pritchard is one of the most suited to sevens on this list.
His kicking game would add an extra dimension to the attack, while his kicking for goal would give any team a much-needed advantage.
Pritchard has a knowledge of the game not many youngsters have - he’s patient, decisive player who is great under the high ball, deadly when counter-attacking and an all-round force to be reckoned with.
Any team would be lucky to have him.
Larry Clark (Villanova College)
He’s certainly not the biggest on the field but he sure plays like it.
Clark puts his body on the line and you will see him making tackles against the biggest players and will be your man to make a try-saving tackle when you need it most.
On the other side of the ball, he’s a brilliant playmaker and has a real knack for the game and Villa are lucky to have him for two more years.
Joey Wilson (Villanova College)
Wilson was impressive at fullback during the AIC First XV season, returning the ball from the back is where he did the most damage.
He was Villanova’s unanimous MVP in 2022 and with his game sense, would have a profound impact on the sevens pitch.
Tom Howard (Marist College Ashgrove)
This youngster is special.
Tom, son of ex-Wallaby Pat and grandson of ex-wallaby Jake, had a cracking debut season in First XV rugby as a Year 10 student.
Ashgrove’s newly born star is a flyhalf but could play any position in the backline.
His versatility is one of many weapons in his arsenal along with his step, game knowledge and pass also a big part of his game.
COLTS 1
Floyd Aubrey (GPS)
Expect to see Aubrey in gold one way or another.
Anyone lucky enough to see the Murgon speedster in action in his time playing for the Marist College Ashgrove First XV would know why he is on this list.
Possessing one of the best steps the AIC competition has ever seen, the 19-year-old Aubrey would leave defenders in his wake with his dazzling footwork.
Hamish Muir (Norths)
Muir would dish out dominant performances in a sevens jersey.
Muir gave Floyd Aubrey a real run for his money as the best fullback in the 2020 AIC First XV season.
Muir is a superb talent, with an x-factor and has been one of Norths’ best this season.
Tim Ryan (Brothers)
Ryan rises to every occasion on the rugby field.
He’s had a breakout year this season in the Colts 1 competition and is a try scoring machine, with a mix of speed and aggression.
Ryan makes those effort plays with strong carries, strong kick chases and those one-percenters every coach loves.
Alex Robinson (Wests)
Standing at 201cm, Alex Robinson has a splash of former Wallaby Troy Coker about him.
Coker, who was Australia’s big mobile forward of sevens rugby in the late 80s and early 90s.
David Vaihu (Wests)
Vaihu is signed by the Melbourne Rebels and is a rookie on the rise.
It’s only a matter of time before he breaks through the ranks and earns regular minutes in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Louis Werchon (Brothers)
He was one of the best in Colts 1 last year, playing halfback.
He doesn’t play colts anymore because he’s too good - this Junior Wallaby is a gun.
Gus Godwin (Easts)
Godwin is a Villanova College Old Boy.
He’s like Tory Bath, quick and speedy down the wing and would be an easy fit for the sevens game.
Taj Annan (Easts)
Annan can play centre or fullback and is a visionary, who was a big piece of the BBC First XV team who earned premiership glory in 2020.
He’d be selected for his elite ball play and having been with the Queensland Reds training and developing this year, he is a talent to keep an eye on.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Souths)
Another BBC premiership player from 2020, who has dynamic pace and was a big part of Souths revival this year.
Joe Liddy (Easts)
Easts Tiger, Gregory Terrace Old Boy and Queensland Reds under-18 team captain Joe Liddy would be the man for the job.
TOP PICK: LUKAS RIPLEY(UQ)
Ripley was a superstar in the BBC First XV team of 2019, who is now with the Melbourne Rebels and reminded us how damaging he is with ball in hand when representing the Junior Wallabies.
Ripley is another exciting prospect in Australian rugby who would be suited to sevens.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Ben Mooney (Brisbane Grammar School)
Leandro Tupi (Souths)
An explosive and hard ball runners perfectly suited for sevens.
Syris Syrischmidt (Bond University)
A classy and quick flyhalf.
Ethyn Martin (Bond University)
He’s consistently one of Bond University’s best players each week, who has great vision and an even better pass.
Zac Hough (Wests)
A BBC First XV premiership winner, West Bulldog and Junior Wallaby Zac Hough has every right to be on this list.
Jack Condon (Brothers)
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