Brisbane Colts 1 and Premier Women club rugby x-factors revealed
Who are the x-factors of the Colts 1 and Premier Women competitions? We reveal the names of 30 exciting players who can turn a match.
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They are the x-factors of the Colts 1 and Premier Women’s competitions, rugby players who can break a match open when their team needs them most.
And as the second half of the season gets underway, we present the first of a three-part review aimed at highlighting the most thrilling players of 2023.
The three categories are:
1. The x-factors
2. The speed demons
3. The person you’d least like to be tackled by
Today we feature the x-factors in the colts 1 competition with Brothers (37) leading Souths (36), Easts (31), UQ (26), Bond (22) Wests (20), GPS (17), Norths (12) and Sunnybank (6).
In the women’s competition Bond University (40) are atop the table followed closely by Sunnybank (39), UQ (30), Souths (24), GPS (23) Easts (21), Wests (16), Brothers (5) and Norths (-2).
ROUND 10 RESULTS
COLTS 1
Sunnybank 29 beat Easts 28
GPS 15 beat UQ 12
Souths 29 beat Norths 10
Wests 26 beat Bond University 17
PREMIER WOMEN
Sunnybank 34 beat Easts 10
Souths 52 beat Norths 7
UQ 19 beat GPS 5
Bond University 31 beat Wests 15
Here are 30 x-factors cherished by their respective clubs.
X-FACTOR PLAYERS
COLTS 1
Dre Pakeho (Brothers)
The ideal No.12, Pakeho possesses the ability to undo the defence with his crash ball running and playmaking ability.
He’s strong and has a mighty step, two reasons why he should be in the Queensland Reds under-18s side again.
Kadin Pritchard (Brothers)
The rangy Pritchard is enjoying a stellar season in the No.13 jersey after playing at fullback for the past couple of years at St Peters. Though he was lethal in the No. 15 jersey.
The kiwi-born 18-year-old can play positions 10 through 15 and as such is an asset to any team.
Rocco Gollings (Bond University)
Gollings is a thrilling prospect who unfortunately was injured last year at Nudgee College.
He is a footballer, a natural outside back with flair, pace and anticipation. So is his brother Woody.
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Jarrod Homan (Easts)
A destructive ball carrier who is physically dominant in defence, Homan has tremendous upside.
He can play anywhere in the backline, but coach Tyrell Barker has him in the centres, a good position for the Queensland Reds under-18s and Junior Wallabies select to deal damage.
Don’t underestimate his kicking game.
George Stoddart (Easts)
One of countless Churchie old boys in the Tigers team, Stoddart is a gamechanger with his high work rate inspiring his teammates.
His foot speed into contact both in attack and defence is tremendous.
Campbell King (Wests)
King has x-factor for days. Having come late into the pre-season and then suffering a red card two minutes into round 3, King has been starved of playing time as he watches on from the sidelines.
But he made up for lost time, storming back into the No.12 jersey with a hat-trick of tries last week against Sunnybank.
Darby Duke (Wests)
Duke has been getting better and better each game in terms of the effort and energy he brings in attack & defence – chasing kicks and winning lineouts.
The rangy lock is the Bulldogs quickest forward.
Ryley Bierton (Souths)
Bierton is big, fast and he certainly can be a handful.
Hasn’t reached his full potential yet but at 95kg 18-year-old has speed and ice in his veins.
Dre-dyn Cruze Laban (Souths)
An 18-year-old fullback with serious feet and a high work rate.
Very dangerous in open space.
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Zach Masinewa (GPS)
Speed and elusive are the two words that come to mind.
He’s not the biggest winger but he makes up for it when he pins the ears back and backs himself.
Stuart Tualima (GPS)
Tall and powerful, Tualima busts tackles for fun and when fit he is one of the best in Queensland for his age group.
Expect a big second half of the season from this guy. Why? He’s vying for Queensland Reds under-19s selection.
Pat Tierney (GPS)
Tierney is the perfect fullback although he is still finding his consistency at Colts 1 level.
He has shown flashes of talent this year with his ability to find touch, beat defenders and set up teammates.
Lolo Sekona (Sunnybank)
Things haven’t come easy for the Sunnybank boys but No. 8 Sekona has been a driving force for the entire season thus far.
A hardworking forward who can link well with his backs.
Will McCulloch (Norths)
McCulloch announced himself last year in the Colts 1 competition and then in the National Championships as a fantastic finisher capable of playing anywhere in the backline.
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Sam Dickie (Norths)
Like McCulloch, Dickie is invaluable to the Norths Eagles Colts 1 team.
He isn’t just a passing halfback but a running threat from the ruck.
Jack Hussey (Norths)
A crafty No. 10 with vision and a kicking game, Hussey joined McCulloch in the Queensland Reds Under 19s team last year.
He did not look out of place.
Pat Sowerby (University)
The backrower has the skills to play through the middle, unlock defences and release space on the edges.
Sowerby has a knack for turning defence into attack as quickly as possible, putting the opposition under pressure.
Is always present across the field with a next-level work rate.
Siliva Leofa (University)
Leofa has the rare ability to create something from nothing. How? His lethal footwork and composure as first receiver and in the wider channels.
Don’t get it mistaken – Leofa is more than happy to get his hands dirty and get involved in the tight stuff.
PREMIER WOMEN’S
Tessa Vaoga (GPS)
The ex-Queensland Reds player who also excels in rugby league has the ability to draw players in with her destructive running and the ability to smash over the advantage line with little effort.
She can sniff out a try with her ball carries off the back of the scrum and is an absolute asset in the GPS team.
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Samantha Lingman (Sunnybank)
The Dragons skipper has a bit of everything in her bag of tricks but above all she is an inspirational leader for her resurgent Sunnybank side.
Maddy Iva and Anan Afuie (Sunnybank)
Only last year she was in school playing top tier netball at Canterbury College. This year, she has been splendid on the wing for the Dragons.
Meanwhile, Afuie offers the energy and zip from halfback, the Sunnybank No. 9 not afraid to take a run herself.
Tina Brown (Easts)
Arguably the best front rower in the competition, Brown has the ability to break a game open with just one carry. Destructive.
Rebecca Davidson (Brothers)
A centre that can make that special tackle, Davidson has been a go-to for the Tony Wall coached brothers side with her ability to create tries, always keeping defenders on high alert.
Lailana Asim (Bond Uni)
Keep an eye out for Lailana Asim. The Kings Christian College Year 12 student replaced Jetaya Faifua (NQ Cowboys) and has helped the Bullsharks win games.
Leka Tuaana (Souths)
The complete package, Tuaana would fit right into the Super W. The fact she can play anywhere from No. 10 out is an added bonus.
A strong ball carrier, Tuaana also has speed, a massive boot, a rib crunching tackle and the ability to break open a game with individual brilliance.
She can do things others can’t.
Michelle Curry (Wests)
Curry is always a try scoring threat and that’s just what you want out of your centre.
She can get you points, she can bust tackles and she can spark a break. From New Zealand, the No.13 has been a welcomed addition to the Bulldogs team.
Tiarrie-Lee Fanuatanu (Wests)
Keep tabs on this 19-year-old prop who is just as damaging in the forward pack as she would be in the centres.
From the Sunshine Coast, Fanuatunu is a tall, powerful ball carrier whose post contact metres and offload ability make her a mighty prospect.
Hana Lane (Wests)
Lane gets through a mountain of work, has speed , instinct and the ability to link her harc working forwards with her electric backs.
She would give her teammates confidence just by being out there.
Amy Brice (UQ)
Brice has a bit of everything in her arsenal and her rugby sevens background is clear when you see her in space. She makes the right reads, creates overlaps, finishes tries and is invaluable to the Red Heavies team who are pushing hard for a top four finish.
Giverny Robinson (UQ)
With Brice in the centres and Robinson at fullback, University looked in safe hands.
Robinson has the step and the acceleration, making her deadly when returning the ball from the back.
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