Club rugby: Colts 1, women’s most improved players revealed
Who have been colts 1 and women’s rugby’s most improved players this season? With one exciting round remaining, we reveal the most improved from both competitions.
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The colts 1 and women’s club semi-finalists will be decided this weekend, with four teams chasing two positions in colts.
Brothers (52) and University (51) set the pace, but behind them were Easts (42), Norths (42), Wests (42) and Bond Uni (41).
It followed Norths second big win over Wests this season (50-19) which threw a cat among the pigeons.
In the women’s competition the top four has been decided - GPS (57), Bond (54), Easts (53) and Sunnybank (50).
To celebrate the last Home And Away fixtures on Saturday, we will name the most improved players here, and then next week reveal who have been the best x-factor players across the competition.
The stories follow last week’s revelation about the competition’s most underrated and most inspiring players.
RELATED LINKS
MOST UNDERRATED, MOST INSPIRING CLUB PLAYERS REVEALED
GPS FIRST XV RUGBY - ROUND 6 RESULTS HERE
GPS FIRST XV RUGBY - PHOTO GALLERY OF THE SEASON -so far
GPS FIRST XV RUGBY: OUR BEST 22 PLAYERS FROM ROUND 5
Here’s the competition’s Most Improved players.
Norths
Declan Ries (Norths)
The inside centre has really grown as a second-year player this season, with his talk and organisation on both sides of the ball demonstrating how smart a footballer he is.
Michael Toohey (GPS)
The GPS hooker, fresh out of the Downlands First XV, he has really elevated his game in the set piece and around the field. He will take a lot from this season.
Matthias Maugatai (GPS)
The backrower workhorse has played above his weight and beyond his youth. Although a first year colts player, he has demonstrated maturity and toughness consistently throughout the year. “His humility means he just keeps his head down and keeps working away,’’ praised GPS coach Sio Kite.
Tom Sullivan (Sunnybank)
A tight head prop, Sullivan has been a part of the colts’ space for a couple of years now. “I have only been with this group since October 2021 but Tom was one of the first to come down to the off-season training,’’ said coach Brendan Underwood. “We have worked hard on his scrum work and getting advice through Premier men training which has seen him improve in that area.’’
Simon Gray (Bond)
At tighthead prop Gray has been strong in the scrum and has worked every week on the core skills.
Angus Ward (University of Queensland)
Tighthead prop Ward has developed his scrum work to be among the most dominant in the competition while also working hard on himself physically and skill wise to perform at a high standard week in and week out for the team.
Josh Masi
Josh Masi (University of Queensland)
The young winger has worked hard to turn himself into a colts 2 starter after playing in colts 3 last season.
Harvey Guest (Wests)
The 2020 BBC GPS First XV premiership forward has been tremendous for the Bulldogs. “Even though he was a part of that First XV team that won, he was in the shadows,’’ said Wests coach Rob Roiri. “This year he has worked on his frame and aggression and the move from hooker to loose-head has seen him take his game to another level.’’
Xavier Boyle (Easts)
A player with a big work rate, Boyle has been tough and skilful with great aerial skills.
Harry Grant (Brothers)
Brothers most improved, fly half Grant has gone to the next level as a game controller and someone who steers the team around weekly.
Souths’ most improved have been Te Ohorei Totorewa, Willem Johnstone and Fonofili Faaolo.
WOMEN
Emilya Byrne (GPS)
After being in the wider Reds training squad, Byrne has added a strong running game to her arsenal. She is a constant threat at the breakdown with her strong on the ball play and often creates crucial turnovers for GPS. “She is also highly valued by her teammates,’’ said coach Mutch Kite.
Kite said in addition, Teresabel Lemanu and Tabitha Cleary were both big improvers.
“Both have been new this season, and both have improved dramatically since the start of the season, earning starting spots in our line-up.’’
Jess Nugent (Norths)
Fullback Jess Nugent has improved out of sight this season, according to her coach. “It is all down to her discipline, hard work and desire to learn and improve,’’ said coach Dom Clarke.
“We believe she is destined for and deserves higher honours.
Tess Evans (Uni of Queensland)
Tess Evans has been a big improver with the added bonus of being able to keep the scoreboard ticking over with her boot.
Zoe Hanna (Bond Uni)
Hanna is the first female Bond University John Eales scholarship recipient. She made a slow start to the season but after being challenged to bring her best out, week in, week out, she has been consistently one of BOnd’s best.
Maggie Glassock (Easts)
A scrum half, Glassock has had a relentless attitude toward her personal development, according to coach Wilson.
“She has been an important cog in the Easts machine with a work rate that is not easily matched,’’ he praised.
“She continues to strive to improve her skill set and depth of her game for the good of the team and has been improving every week.’’
She is certainly a player to watch in the years to come.
Final round matches
Colts 1: Wests v Souths
GPS v UQ
Bond v Easts
Sunnybank v Brothers
Women: GPS v UQ
Wests v Souths
Bond v Easts
Sunnybank v Brothers
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