Does Queensland’s greatest rugby union schoolboy college come from outside the GPS system?

NUDGEE College had the incomparable Mark Loane, Terrace the great Michael Lynagh and Downlands College the legendary Tim Horan, but does Queensland’s greatest rugby union school come from outside the GPS system?

Marist Brothers Ashgrove old boy John Eales. Is he Australia’s greatest ever Wallaby?

NUDGEE College had the incomparable Mark Loane, Terrace the great Michael Lynagh and Downlands College the legendary Tim Horan, but does Queensland’s greatest rugby union school come from outside the GPS system?

The answer could be yes if you dust off the history books at Marist Brothers Ashgrove and peer into the past at the number of Wallabies and Queensland representatives who have graced all corners of the rugby playing globe.

Indeed Marist Brothers Ashgrove has a history of producing such prodigious rugby talent that the extraordinary John Eales may not even be named captain of the college dream team.

Daniel Herbert playing for the Wallabies.

Ashgrove has arguably Australia’s greatest ever Test cricket opener Matthew Hayden as an old boy, but the college can also lay claim to who many say was Australia’s greatest ever Wallaby in Eales.

But halfback Des Connor, who had the rare distinction of playing Tests for both the Wallabies and the All Blacks, and Charles “Chilla’ Wilson were ex-Australian captains.

Backrower Mick Flynn was another renowned leader.

Des Connor playing for the All Blacks, who he later coached. He also played for the Wallabies.

It was almost impossible to juggle Daniel Heenan or ball playing Pat Howard out of the starting side, while and old timers swear by Ridley, Wood and Dux.

Pat Howard with Eales in support. Image: Rugby Union A/CT

Nick Frisby or Mick Barry for reserves halfback? One of many tough choices.

Anthony Herbert would be an ideal outside back reserve because he covered both centre and fullback with ease, and he was also one of the great tourists because of his fun personality.

Anthony Herbert was a great tourist, tremendous for squad morale, and tough as teak on the field who had tremendous respect from the likes of decorated All Blacks Frank Bunce and Joe Stanley.

Des Connor also coached the All Blacks but Marist’s mentor would have to be John Connolly, even thought the college produced a third state coach in Richard Graham.

Reds Nick Frisby was a modern day gun. Pic Peter Wallis

Apologies to some real beauties like Nigel Kassulke and Brian Kassulke, Alex Pope, Graeme Bond who, believe it or not, only last weekend won another premiership playing for the Everton Park Roosters alongside his brother.

Then there is Richard Graham, a stunning schoolboy player who, although he eventually played for Queensland, was only a third of the footballer he was prior to breaking his leg.

What about Tom McVerry, Paul Sheedy and Mick Barry whose absence would highlight the strength of the squad.

And then there is an old favourite, John Heinke, who won the 1985 Rothman’s Medal in a competition when Wallabies would play a Test match one day, and turn out for their club the next. That was how strong Brisbane club rugby was in Heinke’s era..

Christiaan Knapp came from a proud rugby family.

Here is a possible Marist Brothers Ashgrove dream team that would shake up any of the GPS or Sydney schoolboy rugby institutions.

What do you think?

Forwards: Anthony Mathison, Christiaan Knapp, Mick Crank, John Eales (captain), Garrick Morgan, Charles Wilson, Mick Flynn, Sam Scott-Young;

Backs: Des Connor (vice-captain), Barry Honan, Brendan Moon, Bob Honan, Daniel Herbert, Paddy Batch and David L’Estrange.

Reserves Daniel Heenan, Paddy Knapp, Greg Dux, Robert Wood, Des Ridley, Pat Howard, Nick Frisby and Anthony Herbert.

Coach: John Connolly