Exciting Queensland Reds U16s prospect Treyvon Pritchard inspired by Springbok Damian Willemse and promising fly half Finn Mackay inspired by All Blacks greats Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter
Exciting Queensland Reds U16s outside back Treyvon Pritchard inspired by Springbok Damian Willemse and promising fly half Finn Mackay inspired by All Blacks greats Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter. Read on for under 16s and 19s match coverage against the ACT Brumbies at Ballymore.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two of the Queensland Reds Under 16s strongest performers in Saturday’s 60-12 thumping over the ACT Brumbies model their games off world rugby greats.
Fly half Finn Mackay said Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter were his rugby role models, while three-try-hero Treyvon Pritchard said he watches Springbok Damian Willemse highlights for sidestepping inspiration.
“Damian Willemse from South Africa. He’s so good,” Pritchard said about where he got his step from. A step which has got him five tries in the last two games.
Pritchard had missed the start of the tournament with injury, but said he remained positive through the process.
“I was ready to get out there but I was pretty positive about it. Just training and getting among the boys and I was just ready to go,” he said.
“It’s great,” he said when asked what it was like having Mackay as his fly half.
“ A bit different to at school but with him directing the team I can just do my thing. Get out wide.”
Pritchard’s older brother Kadin, 19, was also a Reds Academy player before joining the Brumbies.
“With him when he was here it was always just competition. Trying to get better than him,” Pritchard said about their relationship.
“Even with him gone we just talk over the phone seeing what we can do better.
“The game plan stays the same nothing changes, just get out there and make an impact, bring energy to the team,” Pritchard said ahead of the grand final against the Waratahs.
“I am looking forward to it, but a big week ahead. They are so good. They were next level when we versed them so we have to step up,” Mackay said ahead of the clash.
In-form fly half Mackay said he had gained confidence from the school season with St Laurence’s where they won their third successive outright premiership, as well as club rugby with Souths.
“And just having fun as well. Not taking it too seriously,” he said.
“Just enjoying the footy.
It’s no secret Mackay has a star studded backline around him, with centres Max Blanch and Killarney Lavender, wingers Brock Coombes and Myles Rosemond and fullback Pritchard sublime talents.
“Just give them the ball,” he said about his mindset.
“It makes my job a whole lot easier. I don’t have to do too much when you have good players like that.
“He (Treyvon) is quick. He’s lightning. Just feed him the ball early get him one-on-ones. He’s so hard to defend so that’s my goal.”
Beauden Barrett and Dan carter are Mackay’s rugby role models
“The way they play, good runners. I like to run the ball as well but when there is space I like to kick,” he said.
“I look up to my dad, Mark, of course as my role model. His day to day life he works very hard and is consistent so I like to implement that in my game.”
In Saturday’s must-win match up against the Brumbies under 16s, Mackay notched up four try assists as the Queenslanders punched their grand final ticket in style.
Pritchard scored three, and Nudgee College hooker Liam Robinson two with excellent rolling maul efforts.
Powerful TSS outside centre Lavender also scored, as did his schoolmate Callum Dalton, a winger, mobile BBC No. 8 Kiama Jione, Winger Myles Rosemond and halfback William Graham.
Darnel Uelese and Trent Nagel crossed for the visitors.
REDS PROPS WORKING OVERTIME
The Reds props Kingsley Uys (TSS) and Berakah Tuifaasisina (Ipswich SHS) were relentless from start to finish, both in the scrum, rolling maul and with their carries.
Tight-head Tuifaasisina is power personified, while Uys has size, and the skills of a back, which makes the pair a serious force in the Reds forward pack.
Uys earned himself an early mark with 25 minutes left in the contest after himself and Tuifaasisina took the game head on with their strong ball-running and heavy-hitting tackles.
Tuifaasisina left the field with 22 minutes to play as Keido Goulding, Isaac Rauluni and Kapelasima Hamala were brought on as finishers.
It was a day where every Reds player could have had something nice written about them but Uys and Tuifaasisina were just sensational.
MARVELLOUS MACKAY
Speaking of sensational, the St Laurence’s College fly half was out of this world again.
We simply can’t speak highly enough of this kid, a talent who is special in every way.
You know those players with time? He is one of them. It just seems every time he has the ball he is playing at his own pace, and like every good fly half he seems to always have the ball in his hands.
He controls the game like no other, has a mean cut-out pass, inside pop pass, and a booming kicking game which has long been a standout of his game.
He set up four tries and strengthened his case for the unofficial MVP of the tournament.
TACKLE BUSTER JIONE
BBC No. 8 Kiama Jione was a powerhouse ball-carrier for the Queenslanders.
He provided go-forward and was a handful to contain because of his low-to-the-ground running style where his body height could not have been better.
He took no prisoners.
In the under 19s clash, The a second half comeback by the visiting Brumbies broke the hearts of the Queenslanders as they just missed out on a finals berth, losing 21-17 in a thriller.
The Reds led 12-7 at the break after a dominant first half showing.
The second half was an entirely different story, with the Reds failing to come away with points when in the Brumbies 22.
Angus Staniforth was a fullback sensation for the visitors, tearing the home side’s defence to pieces with his counterattacking.
Indeed the Reds had two chances, one on each side of the half, to leave Brumbies territory with three points but instead they opted to score – which was a justified decision given a bonus point win was needed to make the big dance.
The ‘Tahs will now face the Brumbies in the grand final in their second successive finals appearance in this age group.
BLUE COLLAR BOYS
The Reds pick-and-drive strategy wasn’t overly successful on Saturday with the Brumbies pack defending their backsides off.
On countless occasions the Reds were in prime position, metres away from the Brumbies try line but every time the visitors held them out. It was a serious effort.
However, Reds lock Alex Kerr and backrower Patrick Sowerby ran themselves to a standstill.
Of course players one through fifteen were tireless in a colossus 80 minute battle, but Sowerby and Kerr were relentless, Sowerby for 80 minutes and Kerr off the bench.
Outside centre Frankie Goldsbrough was a defensive brute who made countless cover tackles down his edge, while halfback Callum Reidy had easily his best game of the tournament.
The Reds front rowers Macarius Pereira, Will Rogers (hooker) and Lehopa Leota were all terrific.
Pereira toiled and toiled, snatching a brilliant intercept against the run of play in a strong performance from the Australian Schoolboy selection.
Rogers and Leota were tryscorers, joining speedy inside centre Denzil Perkins in the scorers column.
Taverners 3-2-1 top guns highlighted as Valley open their account
Taverners Queensland Under-17s: Who were the 3-2-1 best performers from round 5? The best of the best are revealed here after a drought-breaking win.
Revealed: QLD All Schools Touch top performers
The world’s largest touch football tournament has wrapped up on the Gold Coast after five days of competition across seven divisions. Discover who claimed gold, and the 80+ standouts across the board. Details inside: