GPS Rugby: Brisbane Boys’ College Melbourne Storm boy Jack Howarth lives up to hype
Brisbane Boys’ College’s Melbourne Storm boy Jack Howarth lived up to the hype in Saturday’s GPS First XV premiership decider, with a moment of brilliance that channelled the great Wallaby Tim Horan.
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Brisbane Boys’ College’s Melbourne Storm boy Jack Howarth lived up to the hype in Saturday’s GPS First XV premiership decider with a moment of brilliance that channelled the great Wallaby Tim Horan.
BBC put one and a half hands on the college’s first title since 1954 with a 33-22 victory over St Joseph’s Nudgee College.
In emotional scenes, Graham Thomson, BBC’s 1954 premiership winning coach, addressed the team afterwards as celebrations broke out on Miskin St, the cliffs of BBC and around five function centres hosting BBC old boys.
BBC now needs to beat Brisbane State High School in Friday’s final round to confirm an outright premiership.
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Howarth, signed by NRL club the Melbourne Storm, was initially well handled by Nudgee College ace Lastus Auakai before scoring a try just before halftime.
But it was his second five-pointer early in the second half that confirmed his standing.
BBC playmaker and captain Mason Gordon grubber kicked ahead and although Auakai seemed to have the ball covered as he retreated back toward the goal line, Howarth emerged on Auakai’s left shoulder and beat him to the ball to score.
Howarth’s hair was blowing back behind as he pursued Gordon’s kick, such was his explosive pace.
It was a moment which mirrored the great Wallaby Tim Horan.
The try also highlighted his focus and fierce determination which, according to his coach Shane Drahm, was as much a part of his game as his power and speed.
Indeed Drahm said so hard was Howarth on himself if he made an error, Drahm had to do some one-on-one work with him to release pressure he was putting on himself.
Drahm spoke of Howarth’s “determination and competitiveness’’ defining him as much as his skill.
“He hates to make mistakes,’’ Drahm said.
“We have worked around him just being able to move on and I think apart from all his other skill sets, his size and strength and power, it is just his competitiveness that gets him through.
“He will have a big future and I think a lot of these boys will.’’
BBC captain Gordon, himself a star yesterday, said it was “astonishing’’ to be a part of this historic march toward the title.“There are a lot of individual efforts, but it is team performance,’’ he said.“We have a great group of boys.
“It is impressive and I am honoured to be a part of it.’’
For Gordon, Howarth and Taq Annan to fire like they have this season, they need the ball and their forwards and unsung halfback Peron Faimalo have delivered possession on a platter.
One barely notices Faimalo, such is the smooth transition of ball from his forwards to the backs, but he can take great credit for his contribution to this outstanding schoolboy rugby outfit.
Gordon also praised Annan and inside centre Harry McLoughin-Phillips as Howarth’s “devastating partners in crime’’.
BBC flanker Zac Hough was also a wonder, leading his forwards around the field.