GPS First XV rugby: Six of the best things we learned

GPS First XV rugby: Six of the best things we learned - including how dreams can come true.

GPS First XV rugby returned under brilliant blue skies on Saturday, a joyous comeback round after the disruption of the COVID-19 lockdown.

So what are six things we learned from the round.

1. IT IS JUST AS MUCH ABOUT RANK AND FILE PLAYERS, AS IT IS SCHOOLBOY PRODIGIES

The GPS First XV competition rightly is a launching pad for potential professional sporting careers.

But it is also for players who have overcome a personal tragedy to break into the famous First XV jerseys each weekend.

It is for those who were once starry eyed year 5 students who cranked their heads looking up to their First XV heroes in the tuckshop line while wondering “could I be them one day’’?

Churchie win lineout ball against Nudgee.

It is also about bush boys from dusty plains or the lush coastal fringes who played their first game of rugby as a boarding student, and about the reserves who seem to spend as much time warming up as the First XV do playing.

You know who you are.

Every team has a story like that, from Nudgee College to Toowoomba Grammar School, The Southport School to Ipswich Grammar School.

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Last week alone saw Stanley Reihana-Huen (IGS No.12) shine on debut, while other first gamers included Toowoomba Grammar flanker Zander Jacobs and winger Will Nason, Brisbane Grammar School’s winger Tom Stunden and Brisbane Boys College pair - flanker Charlie Archer and prop Zac Davis, and Nudgee lock Charlie Stack continue on after breaking into the side.

Nudgee centre star Rob Toia.

2. IT IS ALSO ABOUT THOSE SCHOOLBOY STARS

We also learned the GPS First XV competition is a staging ground for very good players who earn professional contracts from rugby and league.

After all, where do you think the Queensland Reds or the Queensland State of Origin team gets its next generation players from?

So on Saturday we learned Nudgee centre Rob Toia is a class above, and lock Daniel Maiava is a modern day tight forward marvel.

Max Craig leads Churchie on

3. CHURCHIE ARE INDEED RESURGENT

We learned Churchie’s resurgence has substance.

It was only the team’s second game of the season after a round 1 bye, and to go down 34-15 to Nudgee at Nudgee was no disgrace.

The game was much closer than the scoreboard indicated and Max Craig and his players flew their school’s flag proudly.

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Both Churchie and Nudgee would have liked more continuity rather than a stop-start game, and I suspect their backs had more to offer than we saw.

But there was enough live rugby by Churchie to highlight they are on the build - particularly with a large slab of players eligible for the Firsts again next season.

Syris Schmidt. Pic Mike Batterham

4. SCHMIDT SHINES

Rob Toia may have shone for Nudgee, but Syris Schmidt did exactly the same thing on the Darling Downs playing against Toowoomba Grammar School.

Coach Mike Wallace is not one to throw around his public praise, but he simply could not hold back his adulation of Schmidt.

“It was a master class by him today and I don’t say that lightly,’’ praised TSS coach Mike Wallace.

“He completely dominated the game.

“Our forwards also laid a platform against Toowoomba who worked super hard. But the different was our Syris Schmidt.’’

St Joseph's Gregory Terrace First XV fly-half Mitchell Bodimeade was also a First XI player. Picture, John Gass

5. TERRACE AND BGS, TWO PROUD SCHOOLS ON THE BUILD

Speaking of resurgences, two of the competition’s greatest nurseries of elite talent - St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace and Brisbane Grammar School - were giving their legion of supporters plenty to cheer about in 2021.

Terrace player Archie Xavier. Picture, John Gass

Terrace remain unbeaten and I cannot wait for Saturday’s clash against Churchie at Churchie.

As stated in this column previously, T stands for Terrace but it also stands for Team and Terrace are a good team.

They are playing as a unit and also executing well, and staying in the contest when momentum swings.

And they are being guided around nicely by their halves Archie Xavier and Mitchell Bodimeade who shone last weekend.

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BGS were also rebuilding.

BGS’s recovery is at a different stage, but after a horror start to TSS, BGS have a win and a narrow loss to Terrace.

Under old boy coaches Phil Mooney and Cameron Lillicrap the side is also displaying great character, and were nicely led by centres Campbell Watchirs, the captain, and Jackson Barling, along with No.8 Charlie McCauley last weekend.

Brisbane Boys College player Harry McLaughlin-Phillips . Picture, John Gass

6. BRISBANE BOYS COLLEGE’S INDIGENOUS DAY

What a splendid celebration and recognition of Australia’s first nations people it was last Saturday, particularly for the college community’s indigenous old boys and current students.

The First XV were resplendent in jerseys designed by the BBC’s indigenous students and the day is sure to become an annual event on the GPS calendar in years ahead.

The BCC v Ipswich Grammar School clash was also a special occasion for three families who had relatives on debut - Stanley Reihana-Huen (IGS), Charlie Archer and Zac Davis (BCC).

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ROUND 8

BSHS v BBC

Churchie v Terrace

IGS v TGS

TSS v Nudgee

BGS bye

ROUND 9

BGS v Churchie

TGS v BSHS

Terrace v TSS

Nudgee v Ipswich

BBC bye