GPS First XV rugby Players of Round 6 list includes TSS gun Jye Gray
Our review of the GPS First XV rugby Players of Round 6 includes a dynamo who is so good, he appears to be one-and-a-half players.
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The Southport School’s Jye Gray simply has to be this week’s Player of the Round after his superlative efforts in helping his side topple Brisbane Grammar School 26-17 last Saturday.
Taking out Gray’s try, and creating a try which tipped the match his team’s way, Gray was the equal of one and a half players, such was his energy.
He seemed to be everywhere on the field, which makes sense given he plays fullback in defence (which he turns into attack anyway) and inside centre on attack.
Gray also stands out because of his white head gear flashing about the place, but rest assured it was not a mirage last weekend – Gray was outstanding across the ground as an inside centre and a fullback.
Jye Gray (TSS)
Without Gray would TSS have won? Maybe not. Let us stress TSS is not a one-man band, but Gray was absolutely elite, running in an 85m try right on halftime which gave his team a 21-nil lead in a match they only won 26-17. Gray’s creation of his team’s only try of the second half also came out of the blue. Because he is not a big man, defenders may take him for granted, but rest assured the South Sydney-signed Gray is a strongman, dynamic on his feet and with great energy. Gray is a bit special.
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Lewis Strachan (BGS)
Strachan announced his presence early against TSS with a dashing open side run after entering the fray from the blindside wing. And it was no flash in the pan run, because all game he caused headaches to the TSS defence with his pace and body height. We really cannot commend his performance high enough. He should be very proud of himself.
Nick Hilton (TSS)
TSS is blessed to have Gray in the backs and Nick Hilton in the forwards. Hilton can put so much pressure on at the breakdown, that if opposition teams don’t have their act together with numbers, he will counter ruck to win ball back. He is a big, strong tough kid and what a joy it must be to follow him around the paddock.
Charlie McCauley, Liam McGregor (BGS)
It was like the two Macs, McCauley and McGregor, said to their teammates “follow me’’ because they seemed an inspired figures against an imposing opposition. Indeed BGS’s entire back forward five of Will Pascoe, Thomas Doe and Xavier Craig competed hard from start to finish. BGS trailed 21-nil, but the effort level and execution remained a high standard which is why BGS went from 21-0 down to 21-17, and then nearly scored again late.
Caleb Laifoo (TSS)
Laifoo is one of the competition’s finest tight forwards, strong in the scrum, effective sweeping in the lineout and in rolling mauls, and agile on his feet at the breakdown when challenging tackled players for possession.
Fraser Cowan (TSS) and Ned Maddin (BGS)
A little like a referee is never noticed in a good match, the same is often the case with halves. We all sat last Saturday and admired the ball in hand rugby by both teams whose precision and execution was eye-catching. For both teams the link in the chain were their halves and both boys did a grand job. When TSS launched their lethal counter attack, it was Cowan who pulled the trigger. And when BGS went wide to the midfield, Madden’s service to No. 10 Ryan Shaw helped pressure TSS.
The TSS No. 10 also had a fine game on an afternoon when rugby was the winner.
Tory Bath (Nudgee College)
The bath was full on Saturday. Support play, individual brilliance and lovely smooth hands in the backline highlighted a tremendous Tory Bath showing at fullback.
With a pair of tries the No. 15 had his tongue out and tail up on Nudgee’s way to a 45-0 steamrollering.
Tariq Tanner (Nudgee College)
Tanner was on a tear against State High. A superb intercept try encapsulated the hold he had on his rivals. He’s quick, strong and has a natural intelligence for the game. Nudgee are at their unbeatable best when Tanner’s clicking with Bath, Maddox Maclean, and wingers Kai Combargno and Louis de Villiers.
Charlie Horn (Toowoomba Grammar School)
TGS director of sport Steve Fryer is loath to single any of his players out this season and it is little wonder. T is for Team when it comes to TGS. TGS won’t be winning the premiership, but they are one of the form teams of the competition, pushing hard for victory in every match they play. And leading the way has been lock and skipper Charlie Horn, an inspiring leader and outstanding tight forward.
Kai Combarngo (Nudgee College)
Combarngo was damaging down the left touchline with too much speed to handle.
Every time the ball was shifted towards Combarngo’s wing, Nudgee looked a real chance to score.
He was electric.
Toshi Butlin (Brisbane State High)
Butlin continued to strengthen his case as the fastest player in GPS First XV rugby on Saturday.
Butlin made some breaks and showed us how lightning fast he is. But, Nudgee had all the answers — holding him up on the line on more than one occasion.
Seamus Boakes (Brisbane State High)
Year 10 Seamus Boakes should pat himself on the back after his First XV run on debut.
Underneath the turmoil of State High’s 45-0 loss, an impressive second half performance from Boakes proved the shining light.
David Leota (Ipswich Grammar)
Leota had yet another inspiring performance in the No. 8 jumper.
You can tell why he is fancied in the game of rugby league, as whenever he runs the ball, draws in defenders or is wrapped up in a tackle, he is always looking for a sneaky offload.
His ball security in moments like these is unrivalled.
Kohen Briggs (Ipswich Grammar)
Briggs was a calm customer on Saturday, with his mighty boot from the back a very relieving asset to his team. There was a questionable 50-22 in there that he wasn’t awarded.
Tries were hard to come by in the Ipswich Grammar and Gregory Terrace affair so it’s worth noting that Briggs was following in support to finish off his team’s first of two.
Israel Leota (Ipswich Grammar)
Leota was enjoyable to watch even for Gregory Terrace fans.
He scored the try of the day with his freakish athleticism and powerhouse strength, and left about three tries out there as well.
He is dangerous. He bumps off defenders and is almost impossible to catch once he gets going.
But, the gutsiness of the Gregory Terrace team managed to limit how much damage he was able to deal.
Stanley Huen (Ipswich Grammar)
Huen and Leota were destructive to say the least.
Huen, at inside centre, had countless bulldozing runs to go with big tackles and crisp passes.
Only Gregory Terrace know how they were able to stop Huen and Leota from making it four straight wins for Ipswich Grammar.
Jack Hocking (Ipswich Grammar)
Hocking keeps stepping up at No. 10 for Ipswich. He’s a well rounded fly half with all the tools needed to compete against the best.
He showed that with his kick returns from the back, superb stepping and snappy running game.
Nick Dunstan (Gregory Terrace)
Dunstan’s kicking at goal was marvellous and counter attacking even more.
He stood tall in defence, holding it down against a fierce and ferocious Ipswich backline.
And that shows in the 22-13 scoreline.
Max Boulton (Gregory Terrace)
Boulton burned past defenders with his frizzy hair frolicking in the win.
He was quick, agile and hard to read. The best of him was glimpsed in the final moments of the game where he set up winger Maika Poese in the corner.
Archie Xavier (Gregory Terrace)
Xavier did what Xavier does — it never gets old.
You couldn’t fault his decision making — he always knows who to target and how to apply pressure.
His box kicks worked a treat too.
Angus Munn (Gregory Terrace)
Where do you start with Munn. Something came over him.
He was there following every play, he never stopped working. It was hands down his best of the season and that’s saying something because he has been a consistent performer for coach Michael Broad.
Jovid Aveau (Gregory Terrace)
Prop Jovid Aveau was a wrecking ball down the right edge. His playmaking and reflexes for a No. 3 were very impressive.
Saturday’s game, made up of physical runs from the breakdown and a deadly combination of rucking, tackling and scrimmaging, had to be his best of 2022.
Xavier Rubens, Samson Tuqiri, Daniel Malum (Brisbane Boys College)
In terms of wins and losses, BBC are not having a great season, but when it comes to unearthing players of the future, they have three good ones in these outside backs. All year one or the other have bobbed up in best player conversations, and at the weekend all three contributed in an entertaining game against the in form Toowoomba Grammar School. Also throw into the mix Matthew Robinson who shone for BBC with his consistency.
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