AIC First XV rugby: Who made our Team of the Week?

AIC First XV rugby: Who made our Team of the Week after St Edmund’s and St Laurence’s continued their unbeaten season.

St Laurence players at half time. AIC First XV rugby match between Villanova College and St Laurence's College. Saturday May 28, 2022. Picture, John Gass

St Edmund’s College halfback Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki produced an off the charts performance to help his side join St Laurence’s College as the only beaten teams this season.

And Laurie’s continued to roll out unblemished team performances, overcoming a spirited Villanova College.

So who has made our Team of the Week following the weekend’s round?

RELATED LINKS

AIC FIRST XV RUGBY TEAM OF THE WEEK, ROUND 4

AIC ROUND 5 MATCH REPORTS

COLTS 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK; WOMEN’S REPORT

ST PETERS WIN MID WEEK MATCH

Fullback: Connor Lyons (Marist College Ashgrove)

Lyons got a first half double on Saturday afternoon which got Ashgrove off to a flying start. His second five-pointer was one of those flashy tries where every pass sticks between a well-gelled backline and the trusty fullback was steaming through to finish it off. Lyons was always in support, and held down his team’s defence which only allowed one try in 70 minutes of rugby.

Villanova College v Laurie’s. Picture, John Gass

Wing: Tom Howard (Marist College Ashgrove)

Year 10 Ashgrove winger Tom Howard didn’t look like a 15-year-old when holding down the right edge all afternoon. There was no way through Howard, who is the son of Wallaby Pat Howard, grandson of Wallaby Jake Howard, and great grandson of Wallaby legend Cyril Towers. In his first season in the First XV Tom had his best game yet, defensively and offensively when weaving through traffic and dashing down the sideline to set up Ashgrove’s second try of the day.

Outside centre: Jirra Twist (St Peters)

Twist has his best game of the season in St Peters mid-week clash against St Patrick’s College. He scored a double and looked dangerous when returning the ball. His first try highlighted how powerful he is when using his strength to wriggle his way over the try-line to plant the ball down. If it wasn’t for Twist being in support and running excellent lines on attack, the game would have been a lot closer than an already tense 22-11 score line.

St Laurence's player Mikael Ibrahim. Picture, John Gass

Inside centre: Mikael Ibrahim (St Laurence’s College)

Ibrahim was a powerhouse for Laurie’s, driving them forward while also creating chances out of nothing with brute strength and powerful ball-running. One of his charges saw him blast through four defenders and his Laurie’s team must love playing beside him.

Inside Centre: Ayden Hoad (Iona College)

Hoad had one of his best games of the season, and was a standout across both sides in Saturday’s game against Ashgrove. Hoad was elusive with ball in hand, with a mix of strength and deceiving stepping. He was able to make enormous post contact metres when he carried the ball into contact, and had a cracking game running the ball as a flyhalf. Hoad has been named at centre to get the best 15 players into the Team of the Week.

Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup, Magpies vs WM Seagulls at Davies Park, Brisbane. WM Seagulls #1 Jeremy Trappett Picture: Jerad Williams

Wing: Jeremy Trappett (Iona College)

Trappett performed admirably once again in round five showing why he is a very highly rated NRL prospect. When involved, Trappett gained field position with ease, scooting through the line himself or burning through in support as a good fullback should. Iona head coach Paul Davey acknowledged Trappett’s performance and thought he was a standout performer in a game where his team couldn’t get things to click. He has been named on the wing to get the best 15 players into the Team of the Week.

Marist College Ashgrove wing Tom Howard.

Flyhalf: Zane Kaatz (St Edmund’s College)

Kaatz’s kicking game was again to the foe, steering Eddies from point to point while also linking nicely with his outside men. How Kaatz must love having a strong forward pack and a class halfback inside him after doing the hard yards at the college.

Flyhalf: Pat Tierney (Marist College Ashgrove)

Pat Tierney was instrumental at flyhalf on Saturday afternoon in Ashgrove’s 31-5 thumping over Iona College. Tierney was everywhere. The returning First XV flyhalf having multiple touches in try-scoring chances and orchestrating the backline plays extremely well. Tierney led from the front, and did an outstanding job as captain.

Halfback: Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki (St Edmund’s College)

Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki was the best player on the field as Eddies overcame Padua College to retain its unbeaten run this season. The complete No.9, his runs and passing options and astute kicks kept opponents - and support runners - on their toes.

Marist College Ashgrove flyhalf Pat Tierney.

Halfback: Jacob Prlja (St Patrick’s College)

If you saw him play against St Peters you would understand why his selection into round five’s Team of the Week is an absolute no-brainer. Prlja’s decision making demonstrated the way rugby union should be played. Quick taps, taking the three points when given the chance, and knowing when to march up field with the forwards or shift it to the backs. Prlja’s service from the ruck was phenomenal as well. Although he wasn’t the captain, the scrumhalf led by example and was one of the best on the field.

No.8: Jack Leo (Iona College)

Leo tried his guts out against Ashgrove in round five. The No.8 was everywhere making tackles and in the rucks. Leo is a workhorse week in and week out and Iona head coach Paul Davey praised him for his efforts.

Fl

St Peters Lutheran College earlier in the season. Picture: Tertius Pickard

anker: Ben Davis (St Laurence’s College)

Davis was a mudlark who relished the heavy going on Andrew Slack Oval. He and his sidekick, Lachlan Rolls, knuckled down in the right, chased hard any attacking kicks and supported the ball carrier.

Flanker: Lachlan Rolls (St Laurence’s College)

Ditto Ben Davis. They were like the Bobbsey Twins who helped glue together St Laurence’s impregnable forward effort.

Lock: Hassan Sheriff (St Peters)

Sheriff’s encouragement and chat was more impactful than any individual performance. When packing the scrum and in the lineouts, Sheriff was always psyching his boys up for a huge effort. He was vocal for the whole 70 minutes, and boosted his team to switch on and execute when they were getting complacent. Sheriff played prop but has been named at lock to ensure the best 15 players are selected in the Team of the Week.

Lock: Vice Latu (St Peters)

Latu has made the Team of the Week again due to his tremendous work rate. The giant lock puts in 110% every time he represents the St Peters First XV rugby team, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. His presence on defense paired with his ball-running ability makes for a very valuable piece of the St Peters forward pack. Latu overpowered his opposition and his dominance in the forwards is what allowed his backs to capitalise.

Prop: Hugh Smith (St Laurence’s College)

He’d have needed a Bex and a good rest on the couch on Saturday night after ploughing through New Zealand like conditions at Andrew Slack Oval. On a soft, in place smuddy ground, his legs would have felt like jelly but it never showed.

AIC First XV rugby match between Villanova College and St Laurence's College. Saturday May 28, 2022. Picture, John Gass

Hooker: Bailey Ward (St Edmund’s College)

We put tighthead prop Ward into our starting side as the hooker to get the best from the weekend in our XV. In demanding conditions Ward toiled manfully to lead a pack which gave their star halfback Ah-Ki opportunities to weave his magic.

Prop: Byron Murphy (St Laurence’s College)

It was a gruelling day for front rowers on Saturday but Murphy stood tall, using his strength to influence St Laurie’s dangerous rolling maul, scrummaging strongly and even scoring a try.

St Laurence's College halfback is fondly mentioned in our Team of the Week. Picture, John Gass

Reserves:

Centres: Josh Smith and Nick Hastie (St Patrick’s College)

Smith and Hastie were excellent in the centres against St Peters. Although they couldn’t get over the line, they utilised their determined ball-running and strength to move past the advantage line without question. With the Curlew Park surface covered in mud, it was hard for Smith and Hastie to be put into space, however they worked hard to fend off the opposition, make post contact metres and create scoring opportunities by advancing their team into the Peters 22 on various occasions.

Joey Wilson (Villanova College)

Wilson had a big task under intense pressure on a heavy field to try and keep his team in the territorial battle for St Laurence’s and he did an outstanding job. It said everything about his mindset when he beat Laurie’s fullback Michael Brewster to ball on the ground despite a heavy collison looming.

Joe Nadenic (St Laurence’s College)

Nadenic was good last year but as No.8 this season he has taken his game to another level. His ball carrying is peerless and he hits and spins hard in rolling maul contact.

Blake Fennell (Iona College)

Fennell was a tackling machine and brought the aggression and physicality that Iona is known for. Fennell’s pick-and-go marched Iona up the field, and his presence in defence was superb in a losing side.

Villanova player Joey Wilson. Picture, John Gass

George Binney (Villanova College)

No.8 Binney exerted energy to try to lift his team and did a very good job because despite the 24-nil scoreline, Villa never threw in the towel.

Connor Moloney (Villanova)

Moloney had a huge task trying to handle his opposite Mikael Ibrahim but never stopped trying and was even able to send the odd challenge back the way of the St Laurence’s defensive line.

St Edmund's College v Iona College in AIC First XV rugby.

Darcy Rowen (St Laurence’s College)

Rowen’s kicking game again directed his team around the paddock after his halfback Sam Benham had delivered pitch perfect passes at him. Rowen is a vital cog in this St Laurence’s machinery.

Lochlan Davis (St Edmund’s)

Flanker Davis did a fine job leading his team to the ball, making tackles and generally leading by example against Padua.

Tyler Cuthbert (St Edmund’s)

It was not an easy day at the office for Cuthbert, reeling in a damp ball and confronting willing Padua defenders, but the No.15 held up well.

Round 6 fixtures:

Villanova College vs St Edmund’s College

Ashgrove vs St Peters Lutheran College

Padua College vs Iona College

St Laurence’s College vs St Patrick’s College