Club rugby finals: Gamebreakers with keys to victory uncovered
Who are the game breakers capable of turning the most important of matches this weekend when the Queensland Premier Rugby finals unfold? Find out who from the Colts 1, Premier Women and Hospital Cup competitions here.
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Prodigy: A young person with exceptional qualities or abilities.
In other words, Sky-yvette Faimalie.
The powerhouse 17-year-old Ipswich State High student had a whirlwind 2024, representing the Brisbane Tigers Under-17s, before being selected in a bumper Queensland City side.
After playing for the Tigers, Faimalie, a Year 12, would go on to make an impact for the Sunnybank Dragons in the StoreLocal Premier Women competition against girls sometimes twice her age.
But that has not stopped Faimalie from making a monster difference in the front row, while being a promising middle forward in the 13-a-side game.
On Saturday, she will play for back-to-back minor premiers Sunnybank.
“It’s really good,” Faimalie said of her experience playing in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition for premiership contenders Sunnybank.
“I used to think it would be hard because they (my teammates) are a bit older but they are really down to earth and they didn’t really like in a way feel sorry that I was younger.
“They all treated me like I was the same age as them, they expected nothing less from me because I was younger and it was really good,” said headgear wearing young gun Faimalie.
Born in New Zealand’s North Island, all Faimalie knew growing up was rugby union, tuning into the All Blacks on television and learning her hard running ways from wrecking ball No. 8 Ardie Savea.
Moving to Redbank aged four, Faimalie began her rugby journey at the Springfield Hawks junior rugby club, before starting at The Ipswich State High School at the end of Year 8.
“My grandpa really loves the sport (rugby union) and then I was kind of just following my younger brother to give me something to do,” Faimalie said of how she started.
“I started to play league because my Mum said it would help with fitness.”
Faimalie, the Ipswich SHS Opens Girls captain, plays 70 minutes of club rugby with ease as a scrummaging tight five forward with more to give at full time.
With the talented Renae Nona (Western Force), Ivania Wong (Wallaroos), Cecilia Smith (Wallaroos) and reigning Selena Worsley Medal winning scrumhalf Ana Afuie around, it is hard to imagine there is a team out there Faimalie would fail to make.
“I think for me it would probably be Ana (the player I have learnt most from at Sunnybank),” Faimalie said of livewire halfback Afuie.
“Her dad helped me a lot. He has coached most of the teams I have been in.
“I met her through that pathway and then when I got to play around her I really enjoyed playing with her.
“She’s really just like a role model to me,” Famalie said earlier this year at the Ipswich SHS season launch.
Famalie is just one key player sure to influence this weekend’s Queensland Premier Rugby Colts 1 and StoreLocal Premier Women and Hospital Cup finals matches.
Some others are highlighted below.
FINALS GAME BREAKERS
HOSPITAL CUP
Will Rua (University)
What an impact New Zealand enforcer Will Rua has made this season for the Red Heavies.
After missing out on the finals last year, University has bounced back into the top four with Rua’s foot on the throttle.
The open side flanker is the type to win a crucial turnover or two in a match like this.
COLTS 1 CLUB RUGBY TEAM OF THE YEAR
Jock Campbell and Mac Grealy (University)
How lucky University are to have blokes like Grealy and Campbell come back and play finals footy for their club.
It happens every year and it is no different, the mere presence of these two give University a shot at the title.
Michael Wood (Brothers)
Brothers blindside flanker Michael Wood is another who could really make a difference.
The 25-year-old has professional rugby written all over him but first he has to own the breakdown against a ferocious Wests pack.
He can do it.
Dom Fraser (Brothers)
He is no flash dan but Fraser’s set-piece play is everything for The Brethren.
The mastermind behind Brothers’ rolling maul, prolific hooker Fraser has the keys to victory.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Souths)
Boom flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has that x-factor you want but don’t need out of someone in his position.
It is his ability to take matters into his own hands that make him so promising and the 20-year-old will be matched up against another quality young gun coming through, 18-year old Chace Oates (University No. 10).
Viliami Lea (Souths)
When Souths need it, inside centre Lea will provide it.
The barnstorming midfielder just loves to carry the footy and his crash runs open things up for the side.
Mosese Dawai (Wests)
In finals games you need someone like Fijian flyer Mosese Dawai.
He has the rare ability of being able to score out of nowhere, or produce a run that leads to a try when it is the last thing you’d expect.
He will play fullback.
Louis Werchon (Wests)
Queensland Reds third choice scrumhalf Louis Werchon and his band of Bulldogs are back in finals, out for revenge after last year’s defeat at the hands of Brothers.
Werchon, whose speedy service can make a difference, kicks the goals for Wests and in what looms as another blockbuster chapter in the history of these two sides, it could prove the difference.
COLTS 1
Rocco Gollings (Bond University)
Watch out Easts! Bond flyer Gollings will don jersey No. 15 which means he won’t be getting a cold on the wing, he will be the king of counter attack.
He is dangerous this kid, and Bond University are capable of anything with him now back to full health after missing much of the season through an achilles injury.
Hunter Robinson (Bond University)
Bond University’s Kiwi winger was special in the side’s all-important 38-31 away victory over University in the final round of the season, a must win encounter to determine the finals picture.
He will play right wing and has the speed, turn of foot and vision to make opposition players pay.
Noah Rauluni (Easts)
The last time Easts flanker Noah Rauluni went scoreless in a game was July 13.
Young Rauluni is a highlight waiting to happen, an extremely good player who swings momentum into his team’s favour with something out of nothing every single weekend.
Archie Xavier (Easts)
Similarly to Rauluni, halfback Archie Xavier loves to score and make magic happen.
Xavier’s first season of Colts 1 club rugby has gone splendidly, and folks from Tigerland will be hoping the energetic scrumhalf can pull off a few more of his tricks near the ruck base in Saturday’s sudden death semi-final.
James Martens (Wests)
Scrumhalf Martens has made a living from off the whim plays this season.
The words Martens and gamebreaker go hand-in-hand, because this unforgiving 18-year-old can do anything straight out of the gates - all his Bulldogs have to do is follow him.
Jamie Alexander (Wests)
An equally impressive scrumhalf, Jamie Alexander will play flyhalf in the finals series which is a compliment to how versatile he is.
After all, the former Brisbane Boys’ College school captain was a Queensland Under-17 cricket selection just last year.
Against Easts in round 17 Alexander’s stirring second half performance, where he assisted on both tries scored by his team, powered Wests to a thrilling 24-17 win.
Dre-dyn Laban (Souths)
The consistent Brisbane State High product was recently named in the Queensland Reds Under 19s team and it is in part because of his game breaking ability.
Laban’s kicking game is dangerous as is his playmaking ability, especially for long time friend and winger Te Ohorei Totorewa.
Te Ohorei Totorewa (Souths)
There is no Laban without Totorewa. The pair go together like two peas in a pod and Souths are always churning out highlights when these boys are on the field together.
Seemingly interlinked or telepathic, Totorewa and Laban are always thinking of the next enterprising play they can make to crack open a match.
PREMIER WOMEN
Mel Wilks (Bond University)
Bond University’s chief enforcer in the midfield, Wilks has long been severely underrated. Not by her peers but simply because she is remarkable.
A prolific tryscorer who just so happens to also kick the goals, Wilks runs harder than anyone you have ever seen and her mix of strength and skills will no doubt see her leave a mark on the Bullsharks’ finals campaign.
Amahli Hala (Bond University)
Bond University went without their pocket rocket for much of the season but just when they need her, Hala is here.
The dynamic winger or fullback hits hard for someone so small and her speed gives this Bullsharks backline an extra dimension.
Kalisi Longopoa (Sunnybank)
Coming into the season, teammates were somewhat unaware of the elite kicking game possessed by utility back Kalisi Longopoa.
Now, friends and foes across the competition are up to speed, and they also know with the ball in hand she can create.
She is someone the Dragons can and will look to when the going gets tough.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Sunnybank)
Ipswich State High Year 12 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala is a talented finisher who will get involved long before she crosses the stripe.
The Queensland Reds outside back is incredibly polished for a player aged just 17 and at GPS on Saturday morning, there is a healthy chance she goes over for a try.
Piper Flynn (Easts)
You could have guessed it.
Flynn will play on the right wing for Easts and when she gets the ball, she can score from just about anywhere on the field.
Leilani Hills (Easts)
Stationed on the other wing for the Tigers will be on-the-up speedster Leilani Hills, the fastest customer in the competition.
Hills made a habit of scoring long distance tries this season and her pace is an added bonus for the team.
Liz Patu (Wests)
A triple threat for coach Manuel Cole-Manolis because she can play loosehead prop, tighthead prop and hooker, Patu is fierce, vastly experienced, physical and a set-piece expert.
Patu will be worth her weight in gold for Wests.
Dani Martens (Wests)
A real spark plug, Martens can create space for herself and others and is not afraid to take the line on.
As scrumhalf, Martens’ service will also be key.
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