GPS First XV rugby round 1 Teams; debut boys revealed
Here’s the GPS First XV rugby round 1 Teams and debut boys who will feature in what is expected to be a gripping, toss of the coin premiership race.
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What looms as a wide open GPS First XV rugby season starts on Saturday with no clear cut favourite for the premiership.
The premiers were Nudgee and they deserve to enter the season as the best to beat. But will they have it all their own way?
Not on your life.
Indeed we believe an exciting crop from Brisbane Boys College will be the biggest challengers to Nudgee’s title, a highly skilled group who were expected to also attack with their defensive line speed and aggression in contact.
Round 1
Churchie v Brisbane Grammar School
BSHS v Toowoomba Grammar School
The Southport School v Gregory Terrace
Ipswich Grammar School v Nudgee College
Bye: Brisbane Boys’ College
So while we have Nudgee and BBC the leaders of the pack, this was anyone’s competition and don’t expect to see the premiership unbeaten in 2024.
A talented bunch from Brisbane State High School and country cousins from Toowoomba Grammar School were also serious contenders.
With eight returning First XV players, BSHS have an enormous power game and can shake the competition to the core, while TGS were beautifully balanced with speed at the back matching working ethic across the field.
We have them both in the top four sides.
But is anyone writing off Ipswich Grammar School, TSS or Churchie? Anyone? No one would dare discount these three teams who could easily spear to the top of the table this season.
Featuring a thrilling backline and a hard, seasoned look about its pack, Ipswich Grammar will be well in premiership contention, while The Southport School will be big, strong and athletic across the park.
TSS were a young side, but has as much ability as any side in the competition. Don’t discount them.
Churchie, featuring 10 players on debut, will be spearheaded by an enormous front row, while possessing a back division that can hurt the opposition from broken play.
Churchie will be a threat.
Don’t forget the skilled and youthful St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace and Brisbane Grammar School teams.
Terrace and BGS will win games and throw a spanner in the works this season, that is for sure.
Terrace will be well organised, well coached and committed over the ball. They will do the basics well and will be no pushovers while BGS have plenty of good players in an improving rugby program.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is a wide open race for the 2024 GPS First XV premiership.
THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL V GREGORY TERRACE
DEBUT BOYS
The Southport School will usher in nine debut boys - Hayden Keldie-Genner, Viliami Fifita, Clint Hoare, Agapetos Lote-Felo, Dallas Ingram, Jake Lane, Eli Vea, Kingston Seve and Dylan Terblanche.
Fifita is a rugged, tough, hard mobile forward and watch for the gifted Seve to impact with his runs and finishing horsepower along with athletic outside centre Kilarney Lavender.
If, as suspected, TSS gathers a foundation upfront, they have the strike power to win and win well.
TSS will also have these boys on the bench, hungry to impact matches as second half replacements - Lachlan Johnson, Hunter Pyke, Clay Hindmarsh, Ky Morris, Seth Coe, Max Kahler, Aidan Arthur and Jake McPhee.
Terrace will have a Super Seven on debut - Charlie Cross, Jack Hogan, Rupert McGrath, Archer Ilott, Connor Clifford, Saia Poese, George Joseph.
Connor Clifford is an instinctive rugby player, a rugby professional who played Reds under-16s last year.
He seems to have bulked up this year and is someone who can find the line.
An x-factor for Terrace is Poese who made a hotly contested City-under 17s rugby league team in April.
THE TEAMS
TSS: 1. Kingsley Uys, 2. Blaze Moana (C), 3. Jonah Rangiwai, 4. Hayden Keldie-Genner, 5. Daniel Wells, 6. Viliami Fifita, 7. Clint Hoare, 8. Agapetos Lote-Felo, 9. Tom Goldie (VC), 10. Dallas Ingram, 11. Jake Lane, 12. Eli Vea, 13. Kilarney Lavender, 14. Kingston Seve, 15. Dylan Terblanche.
TERRACE: 1. Alec Weir, 2. Cody Harkins, 3. Charlie Hollyman, 4. Charlie Cross, 5. Jack Hogan, 6. Rupert McGrath, 7. Archer Ilott, 8. Oliver Nasser, 9. George Hales, 10. Sam McGahan, 11. Sam Russell, 12. Connor Clifford, 13. Saia Poese, 14. George Joseph, 15. Joe McGahan
THE PREVIEW: TSS v Terrace
The Southport School will welcome Gregory Terrace to the hallowed Village Green turf on Saturday to kick-off the new rugby season and the home side are looking strong.
In the front row is Queensland Under-18 loose-head Kingsley Uys, third year First XV hooker Blaze Moana and tight-head Jonah Rangiwai. All three have previously represented the Queensland Reds Academy sides.
They form a sizeable pack which will do damage in the set piece this season.
TSS will unearth a new look back row in locks Hayden Keldie-Genner and Daniel Wells, with Clint Hoare to play open side flank and Viliami Fitita to play blindside.
Viliami is the younger brother of former TSS flyer Jojo Fifita, the Gold Coast Titans outside back.
Wearing No. 8 will be Gold Coast Eagles junior and former A.B Paterson College student Agapetos Lote-Felo who in 2022 played flanker in the Reds Under-15s side.
Halfback Tom Goldie will embark on his final year of First XV footy and will be among the top scrumhalves in the competition.
He will be servicing exciting fly half Dallas Ingram.
Earlier in the year Ingram was a livewire utility back for the Burleigh Bears in the Connell Cup competition and TSS could not ask for a better playmaker to fill the void left by Spencer Alock.
Manning the wings will be Jake Lane and raw boned athlete Kingston Seve who played alongside Ingram earlier in the year for Burleigh.
In the midfield watch for newcomer Eli Vea (No. 12) to follow the example set by prolific tryscorer Kilarney Lavender, a young veteran who could be something special this season.
Making his debut at fullback will be Dylan Terblanche, a Gold Coast Eagles youngster who represented the South East Queensland Under-15s at last year’s Emerging Reds Cup.
For Gregory Terrace, front rowers Alec Weir and Cody Harkins return to the fold alongside Queensland Reds Under-16s tone setter Charlie Hollyman, who will play tighthead prop.
Four debutants have been named in the back five of the pack, with second rowers Charlie Cross and Jack Hogan partnering Rupert McGrath and Archer Ilott in the back row.
Leading them on will be Queensland Reds Under-16s weapon Oliver Nasser.
George Hales will play scrumhalf and Sam McGahan, a classy playmaker with an excellent kicking game, will don jersey No. 10.
Returning player Sam Russell will be on the left wing with debutant George Joseph the other winger.
Siosaia Poese, the Queensland City Under-17s rugby league selection, will make his debut at outside centre - his brother Maika played on the wing for Terrace last year.
On his inside will be crash running Queensland Reds Under-16s selection Connor Clifford, a high IQ player who just gets it.
At fullback will be Joe McGahan, Sam’s twin brother, who gets more room to move here after showing great footwork last season on the wing.
NUDGEE COLLEGE V IPSWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
DEBUT BOYS
Nudgee College ushered in a new era with nine boys on debut - Isaac Rauluni, John Grenfell (captain), Levi Slater, Bennett Armistead, Adam Latham, Teina Graham, Charlie O’Connell, Carter Welfare, Ethan Grimshaw.
John Genfell is a country Queensland boy - and they make them tough in the bush
He represented the Queensland under-16s in 2022 as a No, 8, but is so powerful, he can play anywhere.
The fact he is captain says everything about him. He will lead by his actions.
Highly skilled No. 12 Carter Welfare will give Nudgee toughness but also direction and skill while winger Grimshaw is a finisher.
Ipswich Grammar School have a fantastic five on debut - Mostyn Bowen, Tannar Baker, James Grey, Marlon Frost, Hemi Rakuita
Nudgee might have Ethan Grimshaw, but IGS has James Grey who is just as quick. Grey is like greased lightning, very fast and a good player around this speed.
THE TEAMS
NUDGEE: 1. Isaac Rauluni, 2. John Grenfell (C), 3. Levi Slater, 4. Bennett Armistead, 5. Ed Kasprowicz, 6. Adam Latham, 7. Hugo Hart, 8. Teina Graham, 9. Sam Watson, 10. Charlie O’Connell, 11. Oli Paterson, 12. Carter Welfare, 13. Nick Conway, 14. Ethan Grimshaw, 15. Jacob Johnson
IPSWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL: 1: H Hattingh, 2: William Pamenter, 3: Alex Schumacher, 4: Mostyn Bowen, 5: Harry Scheibel, 6: Ezalle Matautia, 7: Tannar Baker, 8: Jean-Paul Sia, 9: Joseph Post, 10: Tyson Walker, 11: Brock Coombes, 12: Finn Kendall, 13: James Grey, 14: Marlon Frost, 15: Hemi Rakuita
THE PREVIEW: Nudgee v IGS
Nudgee College have named a strong side to begin the season, the school aiming to claim their 45th GPS First XV rugby premiership this year.
Loosehead prop Isaac Rauluni will make his debut in the front row. Earlier this year Rauluni was impressive for the Norths Devils Connell Cup team and has previously represented the Queensland Reds Under-15s (2022) and Under-16s (2023).
He is of course the son of former Queensland Reds halfback Jacob and younger brother of Noah, Nudgee’s flanker last year, who has been going along nicely at Tigerland.
Central Queensland specimen John Grenfall will play hooker and captain the side this year.
Grenfall is a powerful athlete, someone who will let his actions do the talking.
Grenfall is set to follow in the footsteps of Will Rogers (2022) and Oliver Barrett (2023) by playing hooker.
Tight-head Levi Slater will make his debut in the front row, as will Bennett Armistead at lock.
Armistead made the Australian Under-16s team last spring after a cracking campaign for the Reds Under-16s.
His second row partner is fellow Reds Under-16s select Ed Kasprowicz, a talented First XI fast bowler who returns this year after making waves in last year’s premiership side.
Adam Latham will make his debut at blindside flanker alongside breakaway Hugo Hart who is fit and firing for round one.
Hart tore his ACL in Nudgee’s round nine game against TSS last season and has bounced back brilliantly to run out in what shapes as the competition’s strongest forward pack.
Wrecking ball Teina Graham, who earlier this year represented the Reds Under-18s, looms as a devastating running threat from No. 8, with Norths junior Sam Watson back for another season playing scrumhalf.
Flyhalf livewire Charlie O’Connell will make his starting debut after making a difference in spurts off the bench last year and he has a more than capable playmaker beside him in Redcliffe Dolphins academy player Carter Welfare, an inside centre with the run, kick and pass package down pat.
Things will become even more scary from there, with Norths Devils Under-17s representatives Oli Paterson and Ethan Grimshaw picked on each wing.x
Those boys have finesse and a turn of speed, Grimshaw one of the quickest in his age group in the nation.
The discovery player of last season, Jacob Johnson, is back at fullback to begin the attack in style, with nimble outside back Nick Conway named at outside centre.
Playing at home, Ipswich Grammar look primed to push Nudgee all the way with a young but more experienced side after blooding plenty of young guns in last year’s competition.
Loosehead prop Haitch Hattingh, hooker Will Pamenter and tighthead Alex Schumacher are back for their second season of First XV rugby.
Pamenter, a thundering fast bowler in cricket, and Schumacher were impressive last year with their pick-and-drive play and return bigger, stronger and more hungry now in their final year of schooling.
Mostyn Bowen will make his debut at lock, the Year 11 student having moved from home in Newcastle to showcase his talents in the red and white jersey.
The Merewether Carlton Junior Rugby Club talent is agile and shapes as a great running option.
Productive lock Harry Scheibel is back, as is Ezalle Matautia, a Year 12 student from Woree who featured a handful of times last year for IGS.
The kid can play.
Ipswich Rangers junior Tannar Baker will make his debut at openside flanker after earlier this year running amok as a rip-and-tear second rower for the Ipswich Jets Under-17s side.
Powerful second year player Jean-Paul Sia has been shifted from the front row to No. 8 and will likely hit the ground running after contesting the Australian Schools Rugby Championships for the Combined States Barbarians over the school holidays.
Joseph Post will take the baton off Patty Emmett and play scrumhalf this season, where his 16As connection with Baker and Matautia could shine through following a strong campaign in 2023.
Cool, calm and collected Year 11 student Tyson Walker will make the move from fullback to flyhalf this year, taking over from Nathan Fraser, while trusty tryscorer Brock Coombes is back for his second season on the wing.
Ipswich Jets Under-17s centre Finn Kendall will play inside centre after a top notch debut season last year and on his outside will be the lightning fast James Grey, one of the few players who would put a good fight chasing down Grimshaw (Nudgee) when in full flight.
Marlon Frost, a representative outside back from Coffs Harbour, has been named on the right wing with Hemi Rakuita, a versatile type with Fijian heritage, playing fullback.
BSHS v TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL
DEBUT BOYS
BSHS have a Super Seven on debut - Tyrece Herniman, Cyrus Suniula, Manasa Vuninola, Luke Thornton, Roman Siulepa, Junior Latu, Angus Tagicakibau and Elyjah Sau.
Roman Siulepa is an obvious debut boy to mention.
Signed by the NBL’s reigning champions, the Tasmanian JackJumpers, this youngster is such a good athlete he could be playing Super Rugby within two seasons if he stayed in rugby.
Toowoomba Grammar School have nine debut boys, including Ruben Kruger, Harrison Humphreys, Jonah Allen, Rupeni Baravilala, Sebastian Hepner, Azariah Toki-Mautairi, Rhymen Tusi, Myles Rosemond and Trace Beattie.
Azariah Toki-Mautairi is an interesting debut boy - a New Zealand lad who played Queensland under-15 rugby league and has come across from Wavell to play rugby. He is a leader, a tremendous defender, has great hands and a nice step.
He is a top notch addition to this highly respected TGS squad.
Trace Beattie is another interesting boy who played so well as a second rower in rugby league for the Western Clydesdales (under-19s), he was a strong contender for our News Corp Meninga Cup Team of the Season.
THE TEAMS
BSHS: 1. Tyrece Herniman, 2. Cyrus Suniula, 3. Elijah Sau, 4. Manasa Vuninola, 5. Luke Thornton, 6. Eli Langi, 7. Trent Picot, 8. Roman Siulepa, 9. Marley Ngatai, 10. Seamus Boakes, 11. Jackson Hill, 12. Junior Latu, 13. Laquan Afamiliona, 14. Paddy McInally, 15. Angus Tagicakibau.
TGS: 1. Archie Campbell, 2. Ruben Kruger, 3. Harrison Humphreys, 4. Jonah Allen 5. Rupeni Baravilala, 6. Sebastian Hepner, 7. Joe Gray (Capt), 8. Thomas Bailey, 9. Jack Brown, 10. Illy Baravilala, 11. Adam Davis, 12. Azariah Toki-Mautairi, 13. Rhymen Tusi, 14. Myles Rosemond, 15. Trace Beattie
THE PREVIEW: BSHS v TGS
Toowoomba Grammar School sit nicely placed as one of the team’s to beat this season.
Beautifully coached by Scott Gale, TGS has a culture of working hard but around that have a balanced game.
TGS also possess plenty of strike power from the back.
BSHS were the wildcards of the competition, a team with an enormous power game that can send a tremor across the competition landscape.
If you are after some Saturday viewing, head down to Fursden where Tyrece Herniman, Cyrus Suniula and Elyjah Sau will play front row for home side BSHS.
Over the holidays hooker Suniala was picked in the Australian Schoolboys team and will spearhead a new look front row for BSHS which does not lack size.
Manasa Vunipola and Luke Thornton have been named in the second row, Vunipola a Queensland Reds Under-15s selection last year.
Eli Langi is back for another season and we suspect he will be a class above, after representing the Reds Under-18s earlier this year.
Next to him will be flanker Trent Picot. You will see what the fuss is about, the kid is a breakdown specialist.
Roman Siulepa, a 200cm athlete who celebrated his 18th birthday last week, will don jersey No.8 but resemble an outside back. That is how agile he is.
BSHS’ halfback is Queensland II select Marley Ngatai, a Souths junior with a dangerous running game. Queensland I select Seamus Boakes, a classy playmaker who kicks goals in his sleep, will play flyhalf while Jackson Hill and Paddy McInally, a Souths boy of good pedigree, will be on each wing.
Angus Tagicakibau poses a big threat at fullback for BSHS. The youngster coming off a stellar Under-17s Connell Cup campaign with the Norths Devils.
Junior Latu and Laquan Afamiliona will be the centre pairing for the home side.
The TGS side looks very promising, with Archie Campbell, Ruben Kruger and Harrison Humphreys named in the front row.
Kruger is the younger brother of GPS Colts 1 hooker Ewald, a role model for younger students at the school.
Ruben was also carving out a name for himself, having made the Reds Under-15s side last year alongside Humphreys, a Toowoomba Bears boy who could play anywhere in the tight five and do a good job.
Returning lock Jonah Allen will hold the lantern in the second row for newcomer Rupeni Baravilala, a towering forward prospect from the Maryborough region.
His older brother Illy, the vice-captain, will play flyhalf.
Elite team captain Joe Gray, a Reds Under-18s selection, returns at openside flanker, alongside blindside flanker Sebastian Hepner, a Brothers Toowoomba rugby league youngster.
Wearing No.8 will be Reds Academy staple Tom Bailey who impressed alongside Gray in last year’s First XV.
Blonde-haired young gun Jack Brown, a quick between the ears scrumhalf, will wear No.9 and looms as an attacking threat near the breakdown.
As mentioned above, Illy Baravilala returns at flyhalf.
He will show his class one way or another.
Adam Davis will man one wing with TGS newcomer Myles Rosemond making his debut on the other wing.
Rosemond, the fleet-a-foot Townsville finisher, has come across from Ignatius Park College and has a bit about him.
In the centres TGS are dangerous, with Azariah Toki-Mautairi providing the best of both worlds at inside centre and Rhymen Tusi a punch at outside centre.
Former Wavell SHS student Toki-Mautairi represented the Bulldogs Harold Matthews Under-17s side earlier this year while promising youngster Tusi was responsible for scoring the most emphatic try at last year’s Emerging Reds Cup staged at Ballymore Stadium.
The fact TGS have prolific Western Clydesdales Meninga Cup edge forward Trace Beattie returning the ball from fullback says a lot about their chances at going one better this year and winning it all.
Churchie v Brisbane Grammar School
DEBUT BOYS
Churchie’s 10 debut boys include a front three of Kasper Tammela, Harry Solofa and Sio Kite, while in the backline new boys Thomas Hatzifotis, Oliver Chancellor, Liam Gordon, Will Bloxham and Treyvon Pritchard fit in around experienced halfback Hugh Rylance and inside centre Max Blanch who were returning from last year.
Others on debut were lock Sam Williams and flanker Tom Wood.
A notable boy on debut for Brisbane Grammar School will be No.8 powerhouse Dyer Akauola who will lead by example.
THE TEAMS
BGS: 1 Jackson O’Brien, 2. Tim Allport, 3. Tristian Knudsen (vc), 4. Oli Akhavan, 5. Sam Bolam, 6. Lincoln Manuel, 7. Alec Fitzgerald, 8. Dyer Akauola, 9. Flynn Horton, 10. Zac Reader ©, 11. Tom Siganto, 12. Harper Enasio, 13. Lincoln Dalton, 14. Seth Kennedy, 15. Elijah Breen.
Churchie: 1. Kasper Tammela, 2. Harry Solofa, 3. Sio Kite, 4. Caleb Godfrey, 5. Sam Williams, 6. Tom Wood, 7. George Ward, 8. Jye Crothers, 9. Hugh Rylance, 10. Thomas Hatzifotis, 11. Oliver Chancellor, 12. Max Blanch, 13. Liam Gordon, 14. Will Bloxham, 15. Treyvon Pritchard.
THE PREVIEW: CHURCHIE V BGS
THE PREVIEW, BGS v Churchie
The fourth match to open the First XV rugby season will see a hardworking Brisbane Grammar outfit swing into action against home side Churchie, with both sides unleashing young squads.
For Churchie, Kasper Tammela, Goodwin house’s Service Vice-Captain, will play loosehead prop alongside hooker Harry Solofa, an Easts young gun who will be hungry to make a point this season.
Their tighthead prop will be hulking 15-year-old Sio Kite, the nephew of GPS StoreLocal Hospital Cup head coach Sio.
Match-hardened flanker Caleb Godfrey, who played in the First XV last year, has been named at lock alongside Easts breakdown terror Sam Williams.
Tom Wood, a GPS Galloper, will play blindside flanker with forward leader George Ward, the school Vice-Captain and Head Boarder, named at openside flanker.
Returning backrower Jye Crothers, the Reds Under-18s No.8, adds plenty of starch to this young and promising Churchie forward pack.
Gutsy scrumhalf Hugh Rylance is back for Churchie which his service and vision will be a point of difference.
There are plenty of new faces in Churchie’s backline this year with Max Blanch picked again to play inside centre.
Blanch is a seriously good hooker in rugby league but in the winter turns into a hard running midfielder and defensive hardman. His outside centre will be Liam Gordon, who is making his First XV debut.
Behind him is Australian Under-16s livewire Treyvon Pritchard, one of the more exciting outside backs contesting this year’s competition.
Year 11 student Thomas Hatzifotis, an Easts Tiger, has trained the house down and earned his spot at flyhalf, as has Volleyball First XI gun Oliver Chancellor, the school’s Vice-Captain, who will play on the left wing. On the right wing will be talented Carina Tigers Under-17s five-eighth Will Bloxham.
This young BGS side will have Zac Reader as captain and prop Tristian Knudsen his deputy.
Jackson O’Brien will play loosehead prop and JCU Mariners junior Tim Allport, a Cairns boy, will play hooker.
Allport has come across from St Augustine’s College ready to make an impact for BGS, alongside returning tighthead prop Tristan Knudsen, a scrum time king.
Mobile big man Oli Akhavan, a lock, also returns to the fold for BGS and will be handful for opposition defences.
Sam Bolam gets his start at lock after warming his engines in the Second XV last year, while Lincoln Manuel, a Norths Devils Connell Cup squad member, will play blindside flanker with Alec Fitzgerald his partner in crime.
Redcliffe Dolphins academy player Dyer Akauola will provide plenty at No.8 for BGS. He is a big boy, who moves well and loves to get himself involved.
Flynn Horton, the grandson of 19 Test Wallaby hooker Peter, is back for his second year of First XV rugby playing scrumhalf and he will be servicing team captain and flyhalf Zac Reader, who will also kick the goals for his team.
After biding his time on the bench last year, Tom Siganto has been selected on the left wing for BGS, with the pacy Seth Kennedy named on the right wing.
Kennedy claimed gold in both the Under 16 boys 200m and 400m at the 2023 Australian Junior Athletics Championships, setting a new school record in the 400m, finishing the race in 48.8 seconds.
The young but mature beyond his years Harper Enasio, the Queensland Reds Under-15s select, will play inside centre and on his outside is Redcliffe Dolphins Academy talent Lincoln Dalton.
Dalton made the hotly contested 14-15 Years Boys Queensland Representative School Sport Rugby League (Maroon) team last year before taking out both the Players Player and Player of the Year awards after a rip-roaring campaign with the Norths Devils Connell Cup team.
Brisbane Tigers Under-17s playmaker Elijah Breen will play fullback for Brisbane Grammar and there is no better young man for the job.
Breen can step, is light on his feet and alarm bells ring when he shapes to kick in the opposition red zone.
ROUND 2
BBC v BSHS
TERRACE v CHURCHIE
TGS v IGS
NUDGEE v TSS
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