AIC rugby 2020: Padua College versus St Patrick’s preview ahead of AIC opener

Padua College and St Patrick’s College will clash in a northside derby when the 2020 AIC First XV rugby season starts on Saturday.

Padua College will enter the AIC First XV rugby season opener against St Patrick’s College aiming to use high energy and resolute defence as a foundation for the team’s tilt at the title.

Padua will open its AIC season on August 22 with a northside derby against St Pat’s.

Padua First XV co-coach Shane Buckley said his team must defend well, but with the ball play with energy.

“The Padua community expects that all players who take part in Padua Firsts Rugby provide their absolute best efforts in every play and in every game,’’ Buckley said.

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Padua College was originally a league stronghold and as such has an extraordinary list of elite rugby league players like David Shillington, David Stagg, Paul Vautin, Paul McCabe, Shane Perry and Lindsay Collins as old boys.

Lindsay Collins played representative rugby and rugby league from Padua. He will be close to an Origin berth in November. (AAP Image/Darren England)

But plenty of good rugby players were marching through the school, including the likes of Max Johnson, Harrison Fox and Leighton Whippy who, in the last 18 months, made junior representative teams.

And of course Padua has decorated Wallaby and Brothers premiership winner Dom Macguire is another old boy.

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Max Johnson will again be to the fore this season, and with him the likes of Poasi Manu, Tait Rogers, Darcy Ryan and Will McCulloch will be players to watch.

Buckley will be joined in the coaching ranks by Jackson Darby and Craig Grauf.

St Patrick’s College’s campaign will be spearheaded by leaders Nick Weir, Jasper Simmons

and Elliot Drinkall.

Typically good defence from Nick Weir (No.7) of St. Patrick's last year. This is from an AIC rugby league match, but Weir will also captain the First XV this season. (AAP Image/Regi Varghese)

“We want to be associated with a style of play where opposition teams know they have to be at their best to compete with us,’’ said Daniel Nethery Sports Development and Performance Coordinator.

“Having a high level of physicality combined with a relentless work ethic is essential at a First XV level.’’

Nethery said expectations for the season were simple. “The expectation for our group is to approach every week with a mindset where we are going to compete on every play and be clinical with our execution.

“If we can do this consistently, we will be successful this season,’’ he said.