AIC First XV Team of the Week
AIC First XV rugby: Players from all eight teams, win, lose or draw, feature in our latest Team of the Week following round 2 action.
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It did not matter whether your team won or lost - all eight sides have been represented in our round 2 Team of the Week.
From big hearted St Edmund’s forward of Jack Breuer, to fleet-a-foot St Peters Lutheran College five-eight Wallace Charlie and Padua fullback ace Jayden Soilen, there was talent the length and breadth of matches.
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One of the first players chosen in the squad was Manaaki Bateman for this three try performance in a losing side for St Patrick’s, the second week in a row he has made the side. Iona’s Fononga Tuitahi is on the bench.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
15. Xavier Santos (St Laurence’s)
The reliable St Laurence’s fullback is a player that oozes class and last weekend his kick returns, general play kicking and everything in between was something to behold.
The reigning premiers truly have a big three in Santos, Ben Davis and Finn Mackay.
14. Campbell Rolfe (Iona College)
In greasy conditions Rolfe was a calm influence who steered his side around the field, and then contributed in attack when it was on. He also kicked six conversions despite unstable footing. He played fullback but we named him wing to get our best 15 players mentioned.
13. Jack Pascoe (Iona)
The first round super sub Jack Pascoe was dynamic against St Edmund’s. If he was a racehorse you’d be happy with his preparation after he entered the season with a full season of training under his belt after being a member of the Wynnum Manly league teams.
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12. Matt Doherty (Iona)
Doherty was influential as an inside centre. It is one thing to win ball and create momentum, and it is another to have someone capable of keeping the movement either by setting up another phase with hard, straight running, or looping ball wider.
Doherty was that person.
11. Jack Boland (St Patrick’s)
Boland earned Team of the Week status for his golden try that took Paddies to the brink of victory. Unfortunately he left his goal kicking boots in his cupboard but that try, and his general play in wet conditions, were more than enough to earn him top billing here as well. He also scored a stunning round one try as well.
10. Finn Mackay (St Laurence’s)
It didn’t take long for the best flyhalf in Australia (in his age group) to have a breakout game.
It came against St Peters in round two where his kicking, playmaking, all around class and even running game was influential in the 49 point victory.
9. Lachie McCall (Marist Ashgrove)
McCall has been top notch two games in a row.
On Saturday, the quick thinking scrumhalf scored a crucial try in the second half which kept Ashgrove close and outside of that big play his service was spot on.
8. Ben Davis (St Laurence’s)
The mobile big man was at his best on Saturday, bending the St Peters defensive line with his tough carries.
He did more than enough for St Laurence’s backs to run free with ample space.
7. Will Gallagher (Villanova)
His team’s “Doubles” Daley medal winner, open side flanker Gallagher was an absolute dynamo on the ball. He also scored two tries, but he would have been his team’s best even without hitting the score sheet.
6. Finn Dalton (Padua)
You might not have noticed it, but Dalton delivered a monumental performance in the Padua backrow, pilfering the house down.
He won the ball four times and was a brave defender, especially in a tense final 15 minutes where Ashgrove ploughed towards Padua’s tryline.
5. Dan Casey (St Edmund’s)
One of Eddie’s most experienced players, lineout target Casey played his best match in a First XV jersey last Saturday against elite competition in Iona.
4. Huw Griffiths (St Laurence’s)
Griffiths played hooker and won the Doubles Daley medal, so to get him in the starting 15 we named him at lock.
He is not a lock, but Binney, Bateman and Upchurch were also very impressive.
Griffiths was a front row wonder who would have made coach Welmar du Plessis pleased with his pile driving heaves near the St Peters goal line.
3. Samuel Binney (Villanova College)
Villanova hit Curlew Park wanting to be more aggressive and make an impact at the breakdown both props Binney and Harry Higgins led the way in support of Will Gallagher (mentioned earlier). Villa’s carries in contact and impact in defence at the breakdown made a statement and both Binney and Higgins were in the thick of it. Both boys would have finished with heavy legs after scrumming against the Bateman-led St Patrick’s pack in what turned out to be a day for mud larks after heavy rain swept in.
2. Manaaki Bateman (St Patrick’s)
A wonderful forward leader who would give teammates confidence to play beside. His driving maul and pick and drive efforts in heavy contact, and bustling defence when Villanova opted to carry recycled ball at the breakdown, were telling. Oh, did we mention he scored three
tries? He did not deserve to be on a losing side.
1. Taavi Upchurch (Padua)
The powerful youngster played at tighthead on Saturday and did his job brilliantly.
In the scrum he was strong, in general play effective with his carries and at the breakdowns, and he played the whole game.
Reserves:
Tom Howard (Marist College Ashgrove)
Ashgrove’s prime mover was well contained, but still brilliant at times despite a rugged defensive effort from Padua’s Jayden Solien in Saturday’s tight tussle on McMahon oval.
Howard’s dad Pat was a chief communicator in his day and the apple does not fall far from the tree with Tom who influenced the match against Padua in every aspect.
Pat at times was a backs coach on the field, and Howard was just that for Ashgrove with his rugby smarts.
Will Tozer (Padua)
The Padua captain was tireless.
In a big game, he led his side tremendously, scored a telling second half try and was a lineout weapon. Here what he had to say after Saturday’s game here.
Jasper Barry (Ashgrove)
Ashgrove’s dynamic No. 8 was at full flight on Saturday.
With his carries from the scrum, close to the line and through the middle of the field, powerful second year player Barry did his best to get Ashgrove over the line.
Joel Drew (Ashgrove)
Speedy winger Drew didn’t score, but he was busy cutting in off his wing.
He put his hand up for carries, defended well on the edge and was mistake-free.
Jack Breuer (St Edmund’s)
Brewer played on a losing side but was the undisputed turnover king, snaring possession away from Iona at least eight times. The Peter Daley Medal winner for his side, Breuer’s performance was even more meritorious when you consider he is not a natural N.8.
Fononga Tuitahi (Iona)
For work rate who can compete for Tuitahi, a mobile hooker who seems to be involved in every play around the middle third of the side.
Harry Higgins (Villanova)
Another tight forward who cannot quench his thirst when it comes to working hard. There were times last Saturday it looked like two of the same players were on the field at once.
Luka Smith and Preston O’Brien (St Laurence’s)
The prop pairing no doubt worked their socks off in the pre-season and it showed on Saturday when the St Laurence’s scrum had a day out.
Jayden Solien (Padua)
Ashgrove held firm on defence for much of the game, but their dam wall looked most vulnerable when energetic fullback Solien returned the ball.
He was safe under the high ball and brought the ball back with vigour.
Damon Humphrys (Padua)
Humphrys showed his athleticism when running the ball, and his deft touch when grubber kicking.
In the first half he kicked to corners wonderfully and in the second he set up a telling try scored by Tyrone Burr.
Tiger Campbell (St Edmund’s)
Campbell made one error which hurt his side, but around that smart thinking, Norths Tigers rugby league junior looked sharp. The goal kicking No. 10 certainly belongs at this level, despite having a mistake in his game.
Cohen Taylor (St Patrick’s)
Taylor summed up what Paddie’s were all about last Saturday - raising their effort level. He huffed and he puffed and he bumped his way through the match, always with the same effort level.
Alex Brown and Daniel Norris (St Peters)
Tireless blue collar workers Norris and Brown did not buckle under the pressure of St Laurence’s overwhelming pack, that is for sure.
Both boys were going at full throttle in the 70th minute despite being down and out on the scoreboard.
Wallace Charlie (St Peters)
Charlie played flyhalf and took out the Doubles Daley honours.
He did a bit of everything for his side whether it was kicking, passing, running, stepping and most of all communicating.
He could play anywhere in the backline.
Brock Dillion (Padua)
A genuine utility, Dillion rose to the occasion against Padua’s arch rivals with a stellar performance.
Round 3:
Villanova v St Laurence’s
St Edmund’s v Padua
Iona v Marist
St Patrick’s v St Peters
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