GPS First XV rugby: Dolphins sign schoolboy rugby ace

GPS First XV rugby: The Dolphins have signed a schoolboy rugby ace ahead of a crucial round 7 which features more rookies on debut.

Nudgee College player Tory Bath has been signed by the Dolphins. Picture, John Gass

NRL new-comers The Dolphins have signed one of the form players from the GPS First XV rugby competition after snaring the electric Tory Bath.

Bath, a Norths Devils junior and Queensland rugby league schoolboy player this season, has been signed after a series of withering performances for the powerful Nudgee College, and following an outstanding season of Meninga Cup under 18 rugby league at Norths.

A fullback, Bath can all ball play like an extra five-eighth and has blazing speed.

Nudgee College player Tory Bath Picture, John Gass

He is now the last member of the all-conquering Queensland schoolboys league side to sign an NRL contract after Gabriel Satrick penned a deal with the Melbourne Storm this week.

Bath is also a lovely, respectful young man who will be suited to the Wayne Bennett-coached Dolphins squad.

Nudgee College fullback Tory Bath attacks. Photo:Tertius Pickard

Bath’s signing continues the Dolphins build up of elite schoolboy and teen talent which is headed by Michael Roberts, Corey Thomas, Charlie Dickson (Wavell SHS), Jairus Halahala (Sunshine Coast), Nixon Pasese (Nudgee College), Brian Pouniu (Sunshine Coast), Benson Tau (Marsden SHS), Mereki Warradoo (Redcliffe SHS), Ryan Jackson (Wynnum), Carter Welfare (Nudgee College) and Nate Berrigan (Sunshine Coast).

While the Dolphins were looking far and near for established talent, they were also working quickly to secure local talent and Bath’s signing is further evidence of this.

Meanwhile, in GPS round 7 news, Cooper Nelson (TSS) and Jimmy White (TGS) will make their GPS First XV debuts this weekend hot on the heels of seven players running out in the top side for the first time last weekend.

Entering round 7 on Saturday, the premiership table looks like this, although Nudgee have played an extra match and will have a last round bye while both Churchie and TSS have already had a bye: Nudgee 10, TSS 8, Churchie 8, IGS 6, TGS 4, Terrace 4, BGS 4, BBC 2, BSHS 2

At the time of going to print, TSS outside back Nelson will make his debut on the left wing after Blake Ruaporo was injured last weekend.

GPS schoolboy rugby union game between The Southport School and Churchie. TSS Player No14 try Blake Raymond Churchie Player No Picture Mike Batterham

“He was going to debut against Nudgee College in round 1 but was injured at training,’’ said TSS coach Mike Wallace.

“So, as long as he recovers in time from influenza, he will start and Mason King will move from wing to No.13.’’

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Up on the Downs, White will start for the first time in a First match at No.8 for Toowoomba Grammar School which, despite just two wins, is one of the form teams of the competition.

BBC fans GPS first XV rugby between Nudgee and BBC Saturday August 6, 2022. Picture, John Gass

The duo’s run on debuts follows first time starts last weekend for Terrace hooker Cody Harkins who proved a lucky charm in helping Terrace beat Ipswich Grammar School, while both Brisbane SHS and Brisbane Boys College a trio of students make their debuts.

BSHS player Tobias Riley under pressure from Nudgee College. Picture, John Gass

For BSHS prop Moses Manu, flanker Joel Broderick and winger Seamus Boakes also ran on for the first time, as did BBC trio Will Meads (loose head prop), halfback Tom Lory and inside centre Nicholas Mat’uaia.

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TSS’s path toward a possible joint premiership with Churchie and Nudgee was helped last weekend by tennis ace Wyllie Bucknell who played as a replacement centre when Ruaporo went down injured.

Wyllie Bucknell is a TSS First VI and rugby player.

It was all hands on deck for TSS who fended off a fast finishing BGS to win 26-17 and remain in premiership contention.

Earlier in the season Bucknell also came on as a replacement and TSS coach Wallace said his attitude and commitment to the squad embodied what rugby at TSS was all about.

He said Bucknell had come through the grades from Year 7, always put in and had the respect of his peers.

On Saturday, the traditional St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace and St Joseph’s Nudgee college will draw old boys from far and wide, with added interest following Terrace’s last start win over an impressive Ipswich Grammar School.

Also, the Brisbane Grammar School against Toowoomba Grammar School clash will be a beauty, with both parties in form.

Churchie’s Connor Simpson. Picture Mike Batterham

BGS has lost their last two games to premiership hot shots Nudgee and TSS, but in both games BGS showed plenty while TGS could easily have three wins and a draw this season.

Churchie will return from its bye to host Brisbane Boys College.

ROUND 7

ACGS v BBC

GT v NC

BGS v TGS

TSS v BSHS

IGS bye

GPS First XV action between Ipswich Grammar and Gregory Terrace. Picture: Megan Condon.

ROUND 8

IGS v NC

ACGS v BGS

TSS v GT

BSHS v TGS

BBC bye

ROUND 9

BBC v BGS

IGS v TSS

BSHS v ACGS

TGS v GT

NC bye

Nudgee and BSHS come together on the ground for the start of the game. Nudgee College v BSHS in the GPS First XV rugby. Saturday August 20, 2022. Picture, John Gass