AIC First XV rugby: Players to Watch this season
The powerhouse AIC First XV schoolboy rugby union competition will start this weekend featuring four exciting match-ups. We reveal 30 young gun players who will be worth keeping an eye on when the action gets under way.
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The powerhouse AIC First XV schoolboy rugby union competition will start on Saturday featuring four exciting match-ups.
In round 1 action Villanova College take on Marist College Ashgrove (Andrew Slack Oval), St Edmund’s confront St Peters (Tivoli Sports Complex), Iona butt horns with St Laurence’s College (Davine Oval), while St Patrick’s College clash with Padua College (Curlew Pk).
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Last year we saw Laurie’s go back-to-back with their second consecutive outright premiership, a resurgent Eddie’s side challenging them 18-13 in an enthralling decider.
So, who will be the Players to Watch this season?
Here we reveal 30 of the competition’s brightest young guns gearing up for a big campaign.
Footnote: The www.couriermail.com.au will be reporting on the competition each Saturday evening.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
IONA
JACK LEO
A natural leader, Leo will captain the team from No. 8 this season.
Leo is a tireless worker who is equally at home at open side flanker, bringing extra mobility to the back of Iona’s scrum.
He has formed a strong back row partnership in the pre-season with developing year 11 flankers Adam Kelly and Ned Dore while playing for the Wynnum Bugs across the BJRU Under 18s Lightning Series and with Iona at the recent Ballymore Cup.
RELATED LINKS
THE BEST MOMENTS OF SEASON 2022
MEETING ST PETERS’ FULLBACK PHENOM
HOPO LEOTA
Leota is a tight-head prop in the Taniela Tupou mould – big, mobile and hard running.
Leota will be the rock for the Iona scrum and, following a stint at Christ’s College in Christchurch and gaining representative honours with the Crusaders youth teams, he returns to Iona as a more rounded and experienced player.
WILL LANE
Lane played at lock for Wynnum Seagulls Mal Meninga Cup team but will likely find himself in the centres for Iona’s AIC campaign. A hard runner and rugged defender, Lane will lead the Iona backline and is anticipated to form an exciting centre partnership with Campbell Rolfe.
ST LAURENCE’S
BEN DAVIS
Davis, the Laurie’s No. 8 this year, will run their lineouts with great aerial skills.
Along with being their lineout rock, David is a great ball carrier with footwork not many 195cm Year 11 giants have.
Having played every game as a Year 10 last year, the technically superb Davis has been given vice-captain honours by coach Welmar Du Plessis.
RYLAN LOCK
Loose-head prop Rylan Lock will be Laurie’s skipper this year.
His game is based on work rate, and as a front rower he leads by example with his effort around the park.
He makes metres and even more tackles, leading his team through his actions.
The Year 12, who made the Met East representative team this year, was a consistent performer in 2022.
FINN MACKAY
A Year 11 Mackay played for the Melbourne Rebels Under 16 team last year, Mackay is a great fly half with a crafty all-round game.
Having started at Laurie’s in Year 5, Mackay has now come back to Brisbane after living in Melbourne for four years.
He has got a sharp kicking game and is not afraid to take the line on.
One for the little black book in 2023 and 2024.
MARIST COLLEGE ASHGROVE
RILEY CANAVAN
At open side flanker, Canavan, a fierce competitor, has a huge aerobic base.
He is defensively strong in the tackle and a consistent threat on the ball.
JASPER BARRY
With his older brother Tasman now out of school after playing two years in the Firsts, it is Year 11 Barry’s time to shine with his big frame and strong ball-carrying in the forward pack.
The Queensland Reds under 16 representative creates quick ball through strength and footwork.
A league junior, Barry is continuing to learn the game and improving his tight play.
TOM HOWARD
Howard, son of decorated Ashgrove old boy, Wallaby Pat Howard, is a second-year player in Year 11.
In 2022, he had an uncanny ability to beat defenders in close spaces, presenting himself as a consistent threat who is always close to the action.
Later in the year he represented the Queensland Reds under 16s in the National Championships.
JUDE KNAPP
From the famous Marist Ashgrove Knapp family comes Jude Knapp who is someone Richard Graham will be very pleased to have in the backline.
A player who can shift positions comfortably, whether it be at fly half, fullback or on the wing — Knapp’s versatility will be a strength for Ashgrove,
He understands the game very well and uses it to create pressure.
RELATED LINKS
AIC SCHOOLBOYS EARN QUEENSLAND REDS UNDER 18 SELECTION
GET TO KNOW ASHGROVE’S JASPER BARRY AND TOM HOWARD
RUGBY SCHOOLBOYS TO WATCH IN 2023
ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE
VICE LATU
A returning 1st XV player, Latu was the leader of the pack last season and his team’s best forward in 2022.
Indeed St Peters will miss Barney Radel but they’ll be happy to have the towering Latu back as captain, leading from the front.
DOM MORTON
Morton brings experience money can’t buy to the team. He is a third season First XV player, an elusive back whose quick feet will create attacking opportunities.
He can sizzle on the wing.
ETHAN RAMSAY
Ramsay is from a famous swimming family — his dad and his sister have swum for the Australian Dolphins — and while he is also excellent in the pool, he is an athletic back rower
in the Reds Academy.
Making his debut in the First XV, Ramsay will provide go forward for a team looking to have a repeat of last year’s success.
ST EDMUND’S
TAFITO FALANIKO AH-KI
Ah-Ki will captain the First XV in his third and final season.
The scrum half is quick, has vision and is exciting to watch in both attack and defence.
The kiwi born No. 9 will look to build on a superb 2022 season.
BEN PULLER
Puller joins the First XV squad in 2023 building on from an exciting 2022 season.
He is electric at the back and has all the attributes needed from a fullback.
Eddies’ supporters should be excited about this bloke, who has the ability to make great strides this year.
JACK GLEESON
Another third year player, Gleeson is the no nonsense linchpin of the squad.
An excellent leader, Gleeson is everything that epitomises the St Edmund’s rugby program.
PADUA COLLEGE
BROCK POWELL
Powell, a Queensland under age representative, will prove a great captain and leader for Padua.
He is strong on the ball and with his excellent leadership on and off the field, Padua will be in safe hands.
MITCH ROGERS
Returning for yet another year in the Firsts (third season), Rogers will be Padua’s main man.
Coming into round 1, Rogers is in the form of his life having steered Redcliffe to their first Meninga Cup Premiership in over 10 years.
Himself and Bukowski (see below) were the best No. 9’s in that competition and Padua will need his skills and never-ending engine if they want to challenge for the premiership.
ISAAC BOAL
Keep an eye on this one. Boal, a skilled outside back with a kicking game which can turn the tide of a match.
MITCH STUDLEY
Second year halfback in the firsts.
A second year First XV halfback, Mitch Studley will offer crisp delivery from the ruck, organisation and a running game which is only getting better and better.
JAMES MASON
Coming off a foot injury, Mason is set to have a big year in the lock position.
He is a natural leader whose work ethic encourages those around him.
TOM CHAPMAN
Returning for his second year of First XV action, Chapman will be used anywhere he is needed in the outside backs.
He has speed to burn and if he finds space he will be hard to track down.
VILLANOVA COLLEGE
CAMERON BUKOWSKI
An all around sportsman who earlier this year scored a First XI century playing cricket before shining for Wynnum Manly in the Meninga Cup, Bukowski will play inside centre
The team captain, he returns after first representing Villa as a year 10 student in 2021 and will be a strong defender and dynamic attack player.
He was just named in the Queensland Under 18 Emerging Origin Squad.
JACKSON MOLONEY
Another gun sportsman, the No. 8 returns for his second season of First XV rugby.
The cerebral assassin around the park, Moloney’s rugby IQ makes him a threat both at set pieces in the lineout and in the scrum.
LARRY CLARK
Money can’t buy the experience he gained last season. Clark returns for his second season of First XV rugby and will be the Rock of Gibraltar in defence and a composed conductor of attack as a No. 10.
Indeed he has beefed up over the off season, having played Firsts Footy and Firsts Cricket in term 1.
ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE
MANAAKI BATEMAN
St Paddies’ will be in good hands come set piece time. They have Bateman, a mobile and abrasive hooker who is still only in Year 11.
Expect him to stand out in his second season after being match hardened last year.
DEAN LAWS
Last year’s player of the season, Laws is an outstanding open side breakaway.
He is strong in the tackle and very good over the ball. He is sure to lead by example.
SASHA ADAM
A stoic No. 8, Adam is a good lineout technician with a very good turn of speed and good hands. Expect to see him making breaks in the wider channels which will thrust Paddies’ forward.
SAM CONDON
Calm at No. 10, Condon will captain St Patrick’s this season. He is small in stature but a strong defender who will leave nothing in the tank. The college’s school captain will be a terrific leader
RILEY HORN
Another year 11 student being blooded this season, Horn will start at fullback but is also a capable five-eighth. He has good vision and is a genuine student of the game.
ROUND 1
VILLA v MARIST
ST EDMUND’S v ST PETERS
IONA COLLEGE v ST LAURENCE’S
ST PATRICK’S v PADUA
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