Every school represented in our AIC First XV Team of the Week
Every school has a player represented in our latest AIC First XV rugby Team of the Week after another barnstorming round of action. See who made the cut.
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Exciting times ahead for the AIC First XV rugby competition with Saturday’s “grand final’’ between reigning premiers St Laurence’s College and the giant-killing St Edmund’s College.
Both teams enter the Tivoli Sporting Complex showdown unbeaten, with Eddies riding a wave of success after years in the wilderness.
St Edmund’s last won the premiership in 2014, but their recovery to title contenders this season is even more remarkable given they have been the competition’s easy beats for several seasons.
Laurie’s broke its outright premiership drought last season and was looking for back-to-back titles.
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Indeed Laurie’s were also joint premiers during the COVID-19 interrupted 2020 season and this is the community’s most successful period since a golden period between 1987 and 1993 when First XV teams won six premiership in seven years.
That era – which included four titles in a row, 1990-93 – was in the days of elite old boys like Brendan Cannon (Wallabies), Mark Connors (Wallabies) and Tyron Mandrusiak (Queensland).
But before we get to Saturday’s decider, we must look back on round 6 and reveal who made our final Team of the Week for the season.
THE TEAM
Fullback: Michael Brewster (St Laurence’s)
Brewster is a tough rooster but his knowledge and guile gets him into our Team of the Week after displaying astute positional play and tactical kicking. He pipped Villa’s Joey Wilson into the side, with Wilson the first reserve chosen after he was again Villa’s best back in defeat against Eddies.
Wing: Ben Murphy (St Patrick’s)
St Patrick’s pair Riley Horne and Ben Murphy hit the line together, with one in the starting side and the other on the bench. Both boys worked hard on and off the ball and after tossing a coin, Murphy is in the First XV, but Horne is also in our squad.
Centre: Kuwanon Dickman (St Peters)
Dickman was destructive on Saturday afternoon in his best game of the season yet. He scored St Peters second try in what was a stunning first half display. He ran the ball confidently and had a few nice kicks. However his tackling was on another level, putting on some big shots.
Centre: Mitch Rogers (Padua)
With a stunning kick and chase try, Rogers iced an influential performance which almost saw Padua come from behind and snatch victory in the 29-all draw with Iona. Watch for young Rogers to also led the charge during the AIC league season.
Wing: Tom Howard (Marist College Ashgrove)
Howard just keeps getting better. The more games he plays, the more he finds his feet and showcases his natural x-factor talent. There were flashes of his father Pat, a Wallaby No. 12 and No. 10, with the young winger stepping his way through St Peters defence all afternoon. The Year 10 is one exciting player, and will no doubt be one of the best backs in the competition in years to come.
Fly half: Darcy Rowan (St Laurence’s College)
Rowan pipped Paddies’ No. 10 Sam Condon and Josh Linklater (Padua) into our best of the week, although Condon, Eddies Zane Kaatz and Josh Linklater are deservedly recognised in the squad. Rowan’s tactical kicking on heavy grounds has been a godsend for St Laurence’s. But he is no one trick pony and even on fast tracks his ability to steer a team around would be as welcomed as Santa appearing down the chimney at Christmas. He reminds us of former Queensland and Wallaby fly half Paul Kahl.
Halfback: Tafito Falaniki Ah-Ki (St Edmund’s College)
Just when you thought you had seen it all by Tafito Falaniki Ah-Ki this season, the Eddies’ No. 9 scores three tries when his team’s unbeaten run this season was in jeopardy.
No. 8: Jack Leo (Iona College)
Not for the first time this season Leo was a forward leader for Iona who challenged opponents and inspired teammates with his tough carries and brave defence.
Flanker: Jack Billing (Marist College Ashgrove)
Billing is a weapon for Ashgrove, and it showed on Saturday. He is a fearless flanker that loves the physicality of the game. He had a few cracking runs up the middle and was solid on defence.
Lock: Jake Kurbatoff (St Laurence’s College)
A wonderful workhorse who would be welcomed with open arms in any era, Kurbatoff has again led St Laurence’s through action this season. He is really one and a half players in one body.
Lock: Vice Latu (St Peters)
Latu began proceedings in St Peters first half battering of Ashgrove on Saturday afternoon. Assistant coach Sam Wheeler said: “Latu got us on the front foot and worked tirelessly with Barney Radel and our front row to give us the best chance at winning.”
Prop: Hassan Sheriff (St Peters)
Sheriff was huge on Saturday, working in tandem with his front row partners Moe Koroi and Liam Macdonald. The hard work, scrummaging, defence and enthusiasm from Sheriff got his team over the line to give St Peters their first win over Ashgrove in six years. He played at hooker but has been selected at prop to ensure the best 15 players are selected in the Team of the Week.
Hooker: Dan Mavunda (St Edmund’s College)
The Eddies’ skipper has been at the core – literally – of St Edmund’s unbeaten march this season. He plays both as a tight forward and a flanker and reaches such a high standard that it must inspires his teammates during the tough times.
Prop: Moe Koroi (St Peters)
Ashgrove had no response for Koroi. He is the unsung hero for St Peters week in and week out. Although it was a team effort that led to Peters 25-10 victory, Koroi put Ashgrove on the backfoot and kept them down their end of the field.
Reserves:
Joey Wilson (Villanova), Sam Condon (St Patrick’s) Riley Horne (St Patrick’s), Regan Payne (St Edmund’s College), Josh Linklater (Padua), Zane Kaatz (St Edmund’s), Nic Gullo (Marist College Ashgrove), Connor Lyons (Marist College Ashgrove), Lochlan Davis (St Edmund’s College)
LAST ROUND FIXTURES
St Edmund’s College v St Laurence’s College
Padua College v Villanova
St Patrick’s College v Ashgrove
St Peters v Iona
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