Club rugby Colts 1: Round 1 Team of the Week named
The youngest player chosen in the Australian Under-20s rugby squad, a centre turned No. 8 enforcer and an emerging flyhalf from Souths were among those first picked in the Colts 1 team of the week. More here.
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Wests, Souths and University found the winner’s post in a rain-soaked opening round of Colts 1 club rugby.
With the Norths versus Easts game called off, only three games went ahead in the under-20s competition. There was still highlights aplenty as rain bucketed down across the south east.
Wests won 36-29 over a Bond University outfit which never went away. University scored two early tries through fullback Tom Howard and centre Kye Porter to pave the way for a 10-5 win over GPS. In the Souths versus Sunnybank clash, reigning premiers Souths took care of business 34-22 to win a close one at Chipsy Wood Oval.
The round 1 team of the week features a blend of new faces (Nick Conway, Wests) and reliable returning players (Mattias Agent, Sunnybank) among other big time players in the opening round.
COLTS 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
15. Nick Conway (Wests)
He has arrived.
One of the nation’s finest rugby teens showed why he is so highly thought of by Australian Under-20s coach Chris Whitaker, who selected the underaged 2007 stud, for a Coffs Harbour training camp next month.
At his best position of fullback, Conway scored a try, set up another to impressive midfielder Max Rohan and in 55 minutes made his presence felt.
14. Ruston Taylor (University)
Taylor made a startling impression in his club debut after strolling down to training earlier this year as an unknown.
A pacy left wing with the toughness of a backrower, Taylor took teammates by surprise when he surged down the left edge on countless occasions, displaying plenty of speed.
In defence, Taylor put his body on the line to ensure the only try GPS would land was a well-earnt forwards try on the cusp of full time.
13. Max Angove (Bond University)
The New South Wales big-man scored two tries in his club debut.
One was a stunner on the right edge and the other also showed why he can be a damaging force this season. He is skillful, mobile and he was always in support at the weekend.
He played No.12 but his opposite Rohan had that jersey sewn up by half time.
12. Max Rohan (Wests)
Rohan, an 18-year-old unheralded gem from Nudgee College, roared to life in his first game to keep Bond at an arm’s length throughout.
A key component in Nudgee’s premiership team last year, Rohan scored two tries, and his line speed in defence led to a wonderful match-sealing try by winger Chrionie Tiso after the Bulldogs had marched down field.
11. Bailey Danielson (Sunnybank)
Danielson was a steady presence at fullback for Sunnybank but to get Wests wonder Conway in at No. 15 Danielson has been moved to the wing.
He was slick in attack, moving the ball left and right and he was a key organiser when Sunnybank got their turn with the ball.
He set up a superb try which began in the hands of flyhalf Jack Maunsell and involved DJ Manase and Tane Gregory before it found tryscorer Jeriah Vagana.
10. Finn Mackay (Souths)
It didn’t take long for classy five-eighth Finn Mackay to show his wears in the under-20s competition.
A Reds Academy ace, Mackay moved decisively at the right times to influence the match in his team’s favour.
He scored a try, and was sharp shifting it to his outside men when the time was right. He also backed his forwards and played second fiddle when appropriate so they could wear down the ‘Bank defenders.
9. Jamie Alexander (Wests)
Alexander was the ace in the pack.
His service was sublime, his running game damaging and awareness, as expected, on point.
He scored a try, set up two others and made breaks which gave Wests ascendancy when it mattered.
8. Angus Kelly (University)
Kelly was cooking with gas in his first hit out donning jersey No.8.
A terrific outside centre, Kelly did not miss a beat getting University on the front foot from No. 8 where his post contact metres were a godsend.
A hard working type out of Gregory terrace, Kelly looms a big threat in this year’s competition.
7. George Griffiths (GPS)
Arguably one of the finest leaders in colts footy, Griffiths led the way by doing the little things well.
A standout due to his high work rate, Griffiths chased kicks, put opposition kickers under pressure and was a sure thing with his lineout jumping.
6. Xavier Grambower (University)
Grambower got the job done, not with any flash plays or highlights but grunt work and effort which manifested in a gutsy win.
A 70-minute performer, Grambower took his starting opportunity with two hands and is a lock for next week’s match after last year toing and froing between Colts 1 and 2.
5. Will Pascoe (Wests)
On a rain-soaked deck at Wests, Pascoe’s power-game came up trumps to give his team a platform to thrive off of.
A Townsville terror who was coached at Brisbane Grammar by Phil Mooney, now his coach at the Kennel, the physical Pascoe put in a big shift taking the ball forward and shutting down Bond attackers with stoic defence.
4. Mattias Agent (Sunnybank)
Sunnybank coach Rex Tapuai put it simply when describing Agent’s impressive 70-minute performance as captain and lock.
“He was unreal as always,” he said.
Agent was everywhere at once and made inroads taking the ball forward.
3. Cyrus Suniala (Sunnybank)
A schoolboy powerhouse for Sunnybank, Suniala made a late switch from prop to hooker just before the game and was at his best.
Chipsy Wood Oval was like a water slide and a lot of Souths’ attack happened near the ruck where Suniala muscled up and defended like a man possessed.
His work rate on that side of the ball was off the charts and Dylan Laughlin (tighthead) was his partner in crime.
2. Huw Griffiths (Souths)
The skilful Griffiths, like Kelly (mentioned above) made a positional switch and was quick to implement his varied skillset.
A hooker at school who played flanker on Saturday, Griffiths was tough and abrasive in close quarter battle and resembled a rugby league edge forward when he positioned himself nicely for Souths’ fourth try.
He was in everything, tireless around the park.
1. Malachi Tuakura (Souths)
Tuakura played hooker for Souths and did a stellar job.
His catch-pass skills were clean, his throws straight and he made the step up to Colts 1 in fine fashion.
The Souths scrum, headed by Tuakura, Lucas Oxley and Viliami Motuapuaka (both props), also held firm in greasy conditions.
FIRST CAB OFF THE RANK
Thomas Hansson (GPS)
A No. 8, Hansson and his buddy George Griffiths worked well in tandem to create and deny against University.
A defensive brick wall, Hansson was responsible for a few rib-crunching tackles after he consistently got off his line quick to drive the opposition backwards.
It was clear to see he will benefit from his experiences playing rugby league in the rough-and-tumble Meninga Cup for Norths.
Special mention to: Dylan Laughlin (Sunnybank prop), Keanu Rasch (Bond University lock), Charlie Wake (Bond University flanker), Jake Leck (Bond University prop) and Heinrich Fourie (Bond University flanker).
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