AIC rugby: In a year of change, some things will not change around St Laurence’s College’s
AIC schoolboy rugby powerhouse St Laurence’s College will again field an authoritative forward pack as preparations ramp up for the start of the shortened premiership season.
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In a year of dramatic change, it warms the heart to know some things just don’t change – and one of those things is St Laurence’s College First XV having a rumbling forward pack.
“Laurie’s have always been known for having a good forward pack, and this year will be no different,’’ said the College’s First XV coach Welmar du Plessis.
“Good forward play is part of our DNA and we would like to keep that going.’’
Thank goodness for that.
But what else will Laurie’s offer on the rugby pitch when the AIC premiership season starts on August 22?
“We want to play an attractive style of footy on attack, and be clinical on defence, but most importantly we want our boys express themselves, enjoy it, and have a good crack.’’ coach du Plessis said.
To be captained by No. 8 John Bryant with centre Harry Farimbella his deputy, the side would be builts around year 12 seniors, “with maybe five or six juniors that might get a start against Villa in round 1’’.
“The expectation this year is that we take it one game at a time, we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves,’’ du Plessis said.
“We know we have a good team, and that we are getting better every year, but the AIC competition is always tough, and every year there are three or four teams that are in the running. This year is no different.’’
LOOKING BACK
SOME NOTIBLE OLD BOYS
Dan Crowley
Bill McLean
Cooper Cronk
Mark Connors
Brendan Cannon
Nev Cottrell:
John Hoyland
Tyron Mandrusiak
Brad Free
Neil Betts
LOOKING FORWARD
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2020
John Bryant
Harry Holt
Christian Torluccio (subject to fitness)