GPS First XV schoolboy rugby: Top 30 players since 2017
GPS First XV schoolboy rugby: Here’s our top 30 players since 2017 as we rev up for round one of the season this Saturday.
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Every year dozens of Australia’s rising rugby stars are glimpsed in the GPS First XV rugby competition.
A healthy portion of these schoolboy sensations make it to the next level, whether it be in the NRL, Super Rugby or representing the country.
On Saturday we will witness the next wave of raw talent with eight schools going head-to-head in round 1 of the season.
Before the freshest mob of future Wallabies and Kangaroos take to the pitch, let’s take a look at the best rookies over the last five years, with 2021 ruled out because of the Covid-19 shutdown.
The www.couriermail.com.au will report on matches each Saturday evening.
Here’s 30:
Reesjan Pasitoa (Nudgee College-2019)
Everybody remembers “that kick” Grade 10 Reesjan Pasitoa slotted to top rivals Gregory Terrace in round one of the 2017 GPS First XV season.
This was the game where Pasitoa sounded the alarm as GPS’ newest schoolboy whiz. The alarm bells rang for two consecutive years as the now Western Force fly half spearheaded Nudgee to back-to-back premierships.
The 20-year-old was selected for the Australian Schools & Under-18 team in 2018 and 2019 and we will be seeing more of him in Gold in years to come.
Josh Flook (Nudgee College-2018)
Josh Flook, Pasitoa’s premiership winning teammate, was just as instrumental in what was one of the strongest First XV’s ever assembled.
If any team was to seat the unbeatable Churchie First XV og 2015 led by the likes of Kalyn Ponga and Liam Wright, it would be the Nudgee College team of 2018.
Flook, having made his Queensland Reds debut at 18 years of age, inked a contract extension late last year that will see him remain with the club through 2024.
The renowned try-scorer etched his name into Reds history with his hand in the team’s Super Rugby AU Championship winning campaign of 2021, which saw the boys in Maroon play and win their first home grand final since 2011.
Sam Walker (Ipswich Grammar School-2019)
IGS prodigy Sam Walker has had one heck of a start to his NRL career, shining for the Sydney Roosters team since running out for the first time in April of last year.
Walker had no issue making the jump from schoolboy rugby to the NRL, winning Rookie of the Year with eight tries and 19 try assists in a stellar debut season.
He along with the other boys on the list are evidence of how quickly a young star’s career can escalate.
Kalani Thomas (Ipswich Grammar School-2019)
Thomas was a superstar in Ipswich Grammar School’s First XV rugby team in 2019. The scrum half a GPS sensation, on the same tier as NRL young gun and Origin hopeful Sam Walker.
Thomas has since performed admirably for the Queensland Reds, and has really stood up in big games. Thomas looks to have a home in maroon and is definitely a keeper for Australian Rugby Union.
He has been in action for the Junior Wallabies this month in their Oceania U20 Championship campaign.
Xavier Savage (Brisbane Boys College-2019)
BBC First XV star of 2018, Xavier speed demon Savage is now running out to the viking clap in the NRL.
The 20-year-old was always going to be special, leaving jaws dropped in his days at Palm Beach Currumbin State High and then at BBC, flashing away down the touchline in blinding fashion.
Savage has had his fair share of injuries however his 2022 showcase for the Canberra Raiders has been nothing short of magnificent.
Jack Howarth (Brisbane Boys College-2020)
Where do you start with this powerhouse? He has a long list of credentials to his name already at just 19 years of age, however he is still waiting for his first NRL game in Melbourne Storm colours.
The unofficial MVP of the 2020 GPS First XV Schoolboy Rugby Competition has shown his full bag of tricks whether it be in the 2019 Australian Schoolboys team alongside Walker and Reece Walsh, in the BBC No.13 jersey or for the Queensland Under 19’s side who took on New South Wales last month.
Thanks to an achilles injury, Howarth was out of action last year. Now, it is only a matter of time.
Lukas Ripley (Brisbane Boys College-2019)
Before their triumph in 2020, BBC Grade 12 Lukas Ripley was running riot in the 2019 GPS First XV season. Although his team fell short in a nail biter against TSS, costing them the premiership, Ripley put scouts all over Australia on high alert with his sublime form and evident potential as a bulldozing centre.
He is now with the Melbourne Rebels, and more recently represented the Junior Wallabies at the Oceania U20 Championships.
Carter Gordon and Mason Gordon (Brisbane Boys College-2018&2020)
BBC playmakers Carter Gordon (2018) and Mason Gordon (2020) are fine rugby union prospects bred on the Miskin Oval grounds.
The brothers are both signed by the Melbourne Rebels, where Carter has earned himself a role as starting fly-half while Mason continues to develop.
Younger brother Mason, another integral piece of BBC’s premiership winning side of 2020, is also a Junior Wallaby.
Jordan Petaia (Brisbane State High School-2017)
Petaia is the prime example of where the best GPS schoolboys can end up.
At just 22 years of age, Petaia has already racked up 43 Queensland Reds caps and 17 Wallabies caps.
If you filter in all the injuries he has had since making it on the professional scene, it’s truly remarkable.
46,536 fans were ready for a Petaia masterclass on Saturday as Australia clashed against England at Suncorp, however a head knock early saw him miss the game and will see him miss the decider on July 16.
Harry Wilson (Gregory Terrace-2017)
GT Old Boy Harry Wilson is one of the young faces at the Queensland Reds.
The friendly giant was making tackles and hitting boundaries at GT, before wearing maroon at Suncorp Stadium.
Unfortunately, Wilson has struggled to secure a spot in the Wallabies after such a brilliant showcase in 2020, with the versatility of Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper and Rob Leota in the back three possessing the ability to interchange positions.
He will make a comeback.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert (Brisbane Grammar School-2017)
Hammer or as his BGS friends knew him, “THE CHEETAH” is one of the fastest in the NRL. He’s with the Cowboys till the end of 2023.
Him and Cowboys teammate Tom Gilbert are the only two BGS Old Boys to make the league.
Gilbert and Fidow have been called into the Queensland Maroons Game III squad for Wednesday’s decider against New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium.
Noah Lolesio (The Southport School-2017)
Lolessio packed up his bags and left the Gold Coast two days after graduation to pursue his dreams in rugby union.
He landed in the nation’s capital and hasn’t looked back since.
In the Wallabies first two test matches against England this year, Lolesio has been faultless off the tee, and given he was a late call-up behind Quade Cooper, he has been arguably one of Australia’s best.
We will need his best on Saturday if Australia is to take out the series.
Ethan Bullemor (Nudgee College-2017)
Bullemor made a name for himself at the Brisbane Broncos, playing 25 matches before joining the Manly Sea Eagles on a two-year deal until the end of 2023.
The Nudgee Old Boy steered Nudgee to co-premiership glory in 2017.
SUPER SUBS
Glen Vaihu (Gregory Terrace-2019)
The 20-year-old has 20 Super Rugby caps to his name already, starring for the Melbourne Rebels on the wing.
A career in rugby was imminent following multiple seasons dealing damage on the edge in the GT First XV.
David Vaihu (Gregory Terrace-2020)
A Junior Wallaby and Melbourne Rebels signed young gun.
His speed and strength in the GT First XV team of 2020 set him apart from his rivals.
Campbell Parata (The Southport School-2018)
Western Force signed TSS Old Boy Campbell Parata is well known for his kicking prowess.
He was in the mix with the Crusaders academy after shining in the GPS First XV competition, however he is now at the same club as his 2018 fly half rival in Reesjan Pasitoa of Nudgee College.
Taj Annan (Brisbane Boys’ College-2021)
BBC Old Boy Taj Annan was another piece of BBC’s unbeatable team of 2020. He was in the Queensland Reds training squad this year.
Sosefo (Jojo) Fafita (The Southport School-2020)
David Fafita’s second cousin Jojo is a Gold Coast Titans signed 19-year-old.
After showing glimpses of superstar talent in his time in the First XV (2019&2020), Jojo locked in a three year deal with the Titans in 2020, and represented the New South Wales Under 19 Origin side in June.
Spencer Jeans (The Southport School 2019)
Jeans, TSS Old Boy of 2019, had a breakout year with the Queensland Reds this season.
With a brilliant display of his skills in the preseason, Jeans earned himself his Reds debut in round two’s clash with the NSW Waratahs.
George Gibson (Brisbane Boys’ College-2019)
George Gibson definitely deserves his spot on this list. A Marist College Ashgrove youngster turned Brisbane Boys’ College First XV force also represented the Junior Wallabies in the Oceania U20 Championships.
Zane Nonggorr (The Southport School-2019)
Nonggorr, one of the most damaging props GPS schoolboy rugby has seen, is Queensland Reds signed through 2024.
Harry Vella (Nudgee College-2018)
Those who followed the riveting 2018 GPS First XV rugby season know this powerhouse. The Front rower, Currently in the Brumbies ranks, was a force in that competition, an Australian Schoolboy, and is most definitely one to Watch out for in the future.
Meli Dreu (Ipswich State High School-2019)
Dreu has earned himself a spot in the Easts Tigers premier grade side.
Stuart Tualima (Brisbane State High School-2021)
Young Stuart Tualima is one of the brightest rugby young-guns to come out of BSHS since Jordan Petaia (2017) and Murray Tuilagi (2016).
He currently plays Colts 1 rugby for GPS Rugby Union Club and took to the field with Liddy last month in the Queensland U18 team that faced Melbourne and New South Wales.
Joe Liddy (Gregory Terrace-2021)
GT Old Boy Joe Liddy was one of the stars to come out of the Covid ridden 2021 season. The Easts Tiger captained the Queensland Reds Under 18 team that took on Melbourne and New South Wales late last month, and led from the front excellently.
Rob Toia and Daniel Maiava (Nudgee College-2021)
Maiava made his Super Rugby debut this year for the Melbourne Rebels while Toia will be a third season First XV player with Nudgee. He is contracted to the Sydney Roosters. While the pair only played two games for Nudgee in 2021 thanks to the Covid-19 shutdown, they have followed suit as the GPS premiership favourites of that year with incredible strides taken already in 2022.
Zac Hough (Brisbane Boys’ College-2021)
Hough, BBC Old Boy of 2020 is yet another young rugby union prospect who wore gold in the Oceania U20 Championships.
He is signed by the Melbourne Rebels.
Liam LeBlanc (Nudgee College-2022)
ROUND 1
NC v TSS
BSHS v BBC
TGS v IGS
GT v ACGS
Bye BGS
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