GPS First XV rugby Team of the Decade includes schoolboys sure to entertain this season
GPS First XV schoolboy rugby: Our Team of the Decade - so far - which includes a schoolboy whiz sure to set this year’s competition alight.
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Ahead of the return of GPS First XV schoolboy rugby action on Saturday, we take a look back into the not too distant past and name our GPS rugby Team of the Decade - so far.
It is a competition which continues to provide our Queensland Reds with talent.
GPS FIRST XV PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR 2023
THE TEAM
Foonote: Players outside of starting XV are not ranked in order.
1. Massimo De Lutis (TSS)
Like the outside backs, the front row was hotly contested. Macarius Pereira of Nudgee and Ewald Kruger and Charlie Wigan of TGS were very close but we went for De Lutis.
The TSS old boy of 2020 was immense and it was no flook at schoolboy level. The Brumbies signed West Bulldog has been playing for the Junior Wallabies.
2. Max Craig (Churchie)
Queensland Reds Academy talent and Churchie old boy Craig had a great showing in the Under 19 National Championships last year, doing all the dirty work needed for success.
And indeed they succeeded, making it all the way to the Grand Final where they were pipped at the end by their New South Wales counterparts.
Craig joins Easts and Churchie teammate Nick Bloomfield in this front row, as well as the Junior Wallabies front row.
3. Nick Bloomfield (Churchie)
Prop powerhouse Nick Bloomfield went from strength to strength in the Colts competition last year, scrummaging his side to a Grand Final showdown with UQ.
As a reward, he made every team he could — Queensland U18s, Queensland U19s & Australia U18s and his streak of hot form has only intensified with Junior Wallaby Bloomfield helping Australia beat New Zealand’s under 20s 44-35 on Sunday.
4. Stuart Tualima (BSHS)
Tualima, a Brisbane State High Alumni and GPS Colts 1 battler, is a dynamic youngster who can play anywhere in the back row.
He had quite the year in 2022 playing Reds Under 18s and Under 19s, and he has been progressing nicely at GPS.
The best is yet to come for Tualima, who has rugby in his blood.
5. Daniel Maiava (Nudgee)
Maiava is a modern day lock forward marvel. This kid is a tight forward with a great vertical leap who gets around the field with the mobility of a backrower.
A Junior Wallaby who just had to be in the starting team.
6. Charlie Brosnan (Churchie)
Brosnan was the Churchie No. 8 but he could play No. 6, No. 7 and lock with ease. He was one of the players of the 2022 season in the GPS, highly skilled and mobile with great anticipation both as a support player, but also covering in defence.
An Australian Schools and Queensland Reds Under 18s select, Brosnan is part of the impressive Brothers Colts 1 team who are front runners for this year’s premiership.
RELATED LINKS
QUEENSLAND REDS FUTURE GLIMPSED IN U18S SQUADS
RUGBY UNION SCHOOLBOYS TO KEEP AN EYE ON IN 2023
GPS RUGBY 2022: TEAM OF THE SEASON
7. Zac Hough (BBC)
It was one season of Colts 1 and done for Hough last year, before becoming a first grade regular at the storied Wests Bulldogs club.
Hough played just one and a half matches in 2021 and yet he was widely regarded as the best open side flanker in the competition.
He evokes memories of a young Jeff Miller, David Wilson or David Croft - all of whom were champion open side breakaways for Queensland.
8. Nick Hilton (TSS)
He was like a one man forward pack, a man among boys, a brute of a No. 8 when he carried the ball, and when he hit in defence - for not one, not two, but three years of TSS First XV rugby.
9. Archie Xavier (Gregory Terrace)
It might come as a surprise to see Xavier take the starting position but it shouldn’t. This guy is a ripping talent.
The leadership skills of the Gregory Terrace No. 9 were on show from day dot last season. He used his skills to help his teammates milk metres from their rivals with speedy service and incredible decision making. He was a staple in that Gregory Terrace team and each week impressed more and more, with his sneaky kicks, darts from the ruck or quick taps.
Only just pipped Archie Wilson, Sam Farrar, Willem Johnstone and the on-the-up Oscar Varricchio.
10. Mason Gordon (BBC)
While his older brother Carter was making a strong impression in the Wallabies camp, so was Mason in the Junior Wallabies.
A BBC old boy, and Melbourne Rebels signed back utility, Mason is a great prospect who will be seen playing Super Sugby alongside Carter in the next year or two.
11. Chace Oates (Toowoomba Grammar)
An absolutely elite outside centre who can win matches with his boot, his pace and his creative play.
He is back again in 2023 for a resurgent Toowoomba Grammar School and the TGS faithful can’t wait.
Indeed Oates will be brimming with confidence with plenty of representative footy (Queensland Reds under 16s and under 18s, Australia under 16s) under his belt.
12. Jack Howarth (BBC)
Where do you start with this powerhouse? He has a long list of credentials to his name already, however he is still waiting for his first NRL game in Melbourne Storm colours - which is a tad surprising.
Thanks to an achilles injury, Howarth was out of action last year but had been playing well in the Queensland Cup for the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
Now, it is only a matter of time for perhaps the most dominant schoolboy player of the decade so far.
13. Rob Toia (Nudgee)
Obviously Toia was at the top of every tip sheet formulated by rival coaches and handed around their players in the three years he played First XV (2020-2022).
From the Redcliffe region, Toia’s impact is profound and he is a top three player of the decade. His younger brother Aholoko is also a Queensland schoolboy forward from Redcliffe SHS.
14. Jo Jo Fifita (TSS)
Built like a brick outhouse but with pace and power, he was a schoolboy sensation with The Southport School playing centre.
Fifita is a thrilling prospect playing like a veteran with the Gold Coast Titans NRL side.
He scores thanks to a combination of power, speed and game sense and despite being a prolific tryscorer, what’s most impressive is Fifita’s lockdown defence.
Lit up the GPS as a 16-year-old.
15. Jye Gray (TSS)
Are we looking at the player of the 2022 season? Gray did everything but cut the oranges for his teammates to consume at halftime. He wore No. 12, but swung to fullback in attack where he won matches on his own. Gray also used his pace to cover defend from inside centre and sweep onto attacking kicks delivered by opponents.
In the South Sydney system.
RESERVES
Dre Pakeho (Churchie)
Dre Pakeho was the first reserve chosen.
Pakeho, who made our 2021 and 2022 News Corp Team of the Year, is one of our favourites. We won’t ramble but he’s got all the tools that could see him play at the highest level.
More on the Kiwi born rugby league convert who resisted the lure of the NRL for a shot with the Queensland Reds here.
The only reason he is on the bench is because five of the best players of the this decade have been centres - Toia, Fifita, Howarth, Oates and Pakeho.
Willem Johnstone (Nudgee College)
A halfback who seems to have time, Johnstone did the little things for his teammates to perfection while his individual ability ensured he was a danger running the ball himself.
That was in 2021, now he is playing first grade for the Souths Magpies.
Fergus Gillan (TSS)
The TSS lock is an understated tight forward who coaches love. He grafts away, is a strong carrier and defender who also cleans out well.
Will be key for TSS this year.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (BBC)
If you are a Reds fan you are already very familiar with this exciting young fly half. We could go on for hours about what McLaughlin-Phillips, a No. 10 from Souths just like Reds great Quade Cooper, has to offer.
He moves fast, makes decisions quickly, has toughness and strength in contact and was the Under 20s Player of the Year, joining a prestigious list which features the likes of Tim Horan, Toutai Kefu and Reds teammates Harry Wilson and Floyd Aubrey just to list a few.
After a standout campaign with the Queensland U19s team in the National Championships, McLaughlin-Phillips had committed to Queensland Rugby through 2025.
Macarius Pereira (Nudgee)
A fabulous prop, Pereira is one and a quarter players, so well rounded is he. He offers everything imaginable around the field and he made our News Corp 2021 and 2022 Team of the Season.
Will lead the Nudgee forward pack for his third and final season this year.
Footnote: We would have loved to have started him in the front row but competition was fierce.
Tory Bath (Nudgee)
Bath is a brilliant young fullback who represented the Queensland schoolboy under 18s last season. He may be a Nudgee College First XV premiership winner, but he has always been a league player. Fast on his feet and quick between the ears, Bath is also blessed with pace.
The definition of a schoolboy sensation.
Taj Annan (BBC)
Reds Academy graduate, BBC Old Boy and Easts Tiger now Souths Magpie, Taj Annan has ascended rapidly through the Reds ranks after finishing school in 2021.
At this years Santos Festival of Rugby in Narrabri the young playmaker and conversion king crossed the line for his first try in Reds colours, after impressing awfully well in the Colts 1 finals series and Under 19 National Championships in 2022.
The rest is history for the Junior Wallaby.
Ben Daniels (Churchie)
Cloncurry product Ben Daniels is a towering lock with excellent ball skills. Not to mention he is a lineout weapon and workhorse on both offence and defence.
The Churchie old boy helped his side to their first premiership (2022) since schoolboy whiz Kalyn Ponga led them to back-to-back Titles in 2014 and 2015.
Daniels represented the Queensland Reds Under 18s last year, as well as the Australian Schools and Under 18 team.
Frankie Goldsbrough (Churchie)
Queensland Reds contracted Frankie Goldsbrough will set the GPS alight this year before heading to our beloved and newly developed Ballymore in 2024.
Goldsbrough has a destructive running game, but his defence impacts games as much as anything.
Rugby union is lucky to have him.
David Vaihu (Gregory Terrace)
The Gregory Terrace outside back who tormented opposition for two years of First XV.
He and older brother Glen are in the Melbourne Rebels system and play first grade for the Wests Bulldogs. Both of them possess peed, strength and a step.
Ewald Kruger (TGS)
TGS produced current Reds hooker Matt Faessler and they may have a future hooker in young Kruger, a true sporting allrounder who plays First XI cricket as well as First XV rugby.
Tough, abrasive and brilliant at the set piece, Kruger is a mighty good talent.
EMERGENCIES
Alex Kerr Anglican Church Grammar School
Kerr, lock, had been in excellent form playing well for Easts in the Colts 1 competition this year, following on from last year where the No. 4 helped Churchie win the GPS rugby premiership.
Joe Liddy (Gregory Terrace)
Gregory Terrace alumni Joe Liddy was a terrific flanker for Easts and Queensland’s Under 18 side last year, jackaling his side to victory on numerous occasions.
He’s hard to miss from the sidelines, just look for a mullet as he thumps opponents, cleans out, and wins ball.
Might we add he is a great leader - but Easts Colts 1 have been without him this year due to a nasty back injury.
Charlie Wigan (TGS)
Wigan was a tremendous front rower and skipper for TGS in 2021 and has been playing well for University in the Colts 1 competition.
He is terrific leader who throws the ball straight in the lineout.
Jarrod Homan (BBC)
BBC Old Boy Jarrod Homan had himself quite the 2022, having a breakout year in the Colts 1 competition for Easts, which earned him selection in the Queensland Reds Under 19 team.
He’s quick, strong, a great finisher and is not afraid of contact. Unfortunately for coach Tyrell Barker, both Homan and Joe Liddy (see above) have been sidelined with injury.
Israel Leota (IGS)
A Logan product, the towering Leota has an eye-catching vertical leap which allows him to make Israel-Folau-like catches off his wing. He is a thrilling athletic prospect who can play in the centres or on the wing.
Signed by the Broncos and is playing in the Under 19s State of Origin game this Thursday for Queensland.
Sam Farrar (Churchie)
We have big wraps on this kid, a Churchie alumni who makes the Easts Colts 1 team tick.
Farrar is a great player, one who can have a really strong game and still fly under the radar.
He was at the peak of his powers in the Queensland Reds under 19s team last year.
Tom Robinson (Gregory Terrace)
The son of ex-Wallaby international Brett will be a leader in the Gregory Terrace forward pack this year. The tall, mobile Robinson should feel bulletproof after a super 2022 season which was followed by Queensland Reds Under 16s and Under 18s selection.
Liam Le Blanc (Nudgee)
Fortified by strapping around his ears, Le Blanc was a battle hardened warrior whose ruthless defence, aggression when carrying the ball and leg drive in the rolling maul made him one of the best forwards in last year’s competition.
Signed by South Sydney, Le Blanc was an Australian rugby league schoolboy in 2022.
Trevor King (Downlands College)
Fijian born King is a physical player with great leadership qualities. The 18-year-old Downlands College old boy is a terrific young prospect signed by the Reds, who plays first grade rugby for Souths.
Not many can say they play in Queensland’s strongest rugby competition in their first year out of school but King can because he is simply that good.
Footnote: King graduated from Downlands last year, and is a starting calibre player.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Stanley Huen (IGS)
Huen is a strong, dependable half who has long impressed the Storm. They love his toughness, his defence, but he also has subtle ball skills and plenty of pace, making this Ipswich Grammar School old boy the complete package. He was a member of Souths Logan’s 2022 Meninga Cup winning squad and will play for the Queensland Under 19s on Thursday at Redcliffe when they take on New South Wales.
Byron Smith (Nudgee College)
If New Zealand need to go young for a fly half, Byron Smith’s form on the New Zealand under-19 tour to South Africa last year should be almost enough to get hin in the mix.
Smith, a Nudgee old boy, was the model fly-half in the GPS competition, a perfect link between his backs and forwards while also possessing a killer tactical kicking game.
Thomas Stoddart (Churchie)
The unsung hero from a famous Churchie rugby family, Stoddart was a Captain Courageous in 2022.
He was a leader, someone everyone in the side looked up to, and he was also an outstanding flanker who did everything from being hoisted into the air as a surprise lineout option, to getting down and dirty defending opponents on the Churchie tryline.
Hats off to him.
Angus Munn (Terrace)
Munn was an elite No. 8 in last year’s competition. He was a man among boys, and even though he was big, broad and tall, he was as mobile as the rest of them.
He led the way, and has sinced passed the baton to Tom Robinson who we have big hopes for this year.
Lastus Auakai (Nudgee)
Auakai is a well-rounded, wonderfully gifted inside centre with all the skills.
He has fantastic vision for a rugby No. 12 but with enough pace and strength to make an impact on his own.
Also a nice lower tackler. Read more here.
Oscar Varricchio (Nudgee)
The Nudgee halfback of 2020 thoroughly deserves his spot among this company.
Quick, chirpy, strongly built and accurate, Brothers’ first grade scrumhalf Varricchio bolsters the strong contingent of No. 9s who’ve emerged out of the GPS this decade.
One of if not Brothers’ best Colts 1 player last season.
Syris Schmidt (TSS)
Fly half grand general Schmidt was both a tactical kicking genius and attacking ace who could set his backline alight or damage the opposition’s defensive line with his own incursions.
Andrew Romano (BBC)
Romano was the hard luck story of the 2020 GPS First XV competition, breaking his foot mid-season and missing Brisbane Boys College’s historic march to a first ever stand alone premiership. But in the matches he did play, the young prop did enough to make a lasting impression. The front rower can play.
Charlie McCauley (BGS)
McCauley first played as a Year 11 and was our rookie of the season in 2021. In 2022, he took the confidence with him and was his team’s best or second best behind Ryan Shaw.
Vincent Sefo (BSHS)
Sefo was one of the most dynamic running backrowers in the GPS competition (2020) with an uncanny ability to beat the first defence with foot and power. Sefo also had a high work rate and had been noted by rugby talent scouts that count.
Blake Raymond (TSS)
When we named Raymond on our bench in last year’s GPS Team of the Year we said “You know it is a hot side when he doesn’t make it.”
Raymond was a cracking outside back talent.
Ohau Davey-Phillips (Nudgee) hooker
Was a member of a powerful 2021 Nudgee front row that engineered the side to its premiership in a shortened season. Mobile, skilled, he was perfect for the side.
Caleb Laifoo (TSS)
The big, mobile prop was a one man wrecking machine, enormous in the scrum and destructive carrying the ball or swinging into action as a part of the rolling maul. But he also brought into TSS’ defensive philosophy and pity help you if Laifoo lined you up.
Wil Sullivan (IGS back rower)
As strong as an ox with a burning desire to win one-on-one battles, flanker Sullivan was a tower of strength for IGS in season 2021.
Brayden O’Sullivan (IGS)
If Sullivan was IGS’s best forward in 2021 (see above), then O’Sullivan stood out as their best back. Highly skilled No. 9 with every trick in the book, O’Sullivan’s organisational skills – as much as his ability – almost directed IGS to a last round upset win of the unbeaten Nudgee College.
Zack Lamont (Churchie)
Lamont is a highly skilled half with a killer kicking game who has been in the Cowboys system for several years.
For a young man, Lamont has been a journeyman. The Maroochydore Swans, Kawana Dolphins when he attended Mountain Creek SHS, the Easts Tigers, and rugby union stronghold Churchie in Brisbane have also benefited from his elite skills. Last year he moved into the bosom of Cowboys country and played with the Blackhawks.
Ryan Shaw (BGS)
Shaw was one of the sharpest fly halves to come out of Brisbane Grammar, but he can also play fullback.
He’s a clean looking player who has relished a long season of Colts 1 rugby for the mighty Wests Bulldogs.
Confidence is key for him.
Hunter Lim (Nudgee)
The GPS has produced some serious talent and no less talented than the rest of them is this guy - an outside back who can play anywhere and still have an impact.
Lim finished up at Nudgee in 2021 and is at Brothers where he plays first grade.
2022 was a year to remember for him.
Archie Wilson (Churchie)
Wilson had the ball in his hands more than any other Churchie player last season and he made the team sing. Whether playing on quickly from a penalty or passing wide or short, the scrumhalf expertly swept Churchie into action. He also scored plenty of tries on his own, the most memorable in the come from behind victory over Nudgee when he ran a joyous 50m.
He is the Easts fly half with Sam Farrar at halfback.
Carsen Patu (TSS)
A more promising front rower you’d rarely see in a day’s march, he had everything in 2021.
Patu had a thickly set frame that he could use to bulldoze over his opponents.
Has since played Colts 1 for Bond University and rugby league for the Burleigh Bears.
Round 1: BGS v BCC
TSS v IGS
CHurchie v BSHS
Terrace v TGS
Nudgee bye
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