How’s this for 140 crack players from 140 years of the code in Queensland
Talk about Queensland Rugby Heaven. How’s this for 140 crack players – both past and present – we recognise in the 140th anniversary of the code in the state. And as a bonus, we peek into our crystal ball and highlight junior guns of the future.
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In celebration of rugby union’s 140th anniversary in Queensland, we name 140 top flight players who have put the code up in lights.
It includes both past and present players, some decorated, others unsung heroes, who were much admired by their teammates if not the general public.
And what about the future? We peer into the future and also highlight some exciting rookies who could swell the Reds’ ranks into the future. This story is not a definitive list of Queensland greats, merely a snap shot of just some of the greats, the brave and the characters who have pulled on the famous jumper.
So here it is, a list of some grand golden oldies – and some not so old.
QUEENSLAND REDS UNDER 19 and UNDER 16s HERE
COLTS 1 CLUB RUGBY TEAM OF THE YEAR
GPS RUGBY TEAM OF THE DECADE SO FAR
GPS RUGBY TEAM OF THE SEASON 2023
REDS EMERGING CUP PLAYERS TO WATCH, GAME DAY HIGHLIGHTS
REDS EMERGING CUP PHOTO GALLERY HERE
SOME SUBLIME TALENT PLAYERS
Michael Lynagh
A multi-skilled absolute legend with the most glorious handling skills. Simply the best.
John Eales
Queensland’s greatest ever forward? It comes down to him or the legendary Mark Loane. Eales was 2m tall but had the skills of a No. 10.
Tim Horan
Arguably Queensland’s greatest ever back who had speed to burn, toughness and vision. Also a wonderful low tackler.
Jason Little
A player with sublime balance and athletic skills who, for many years, was Horan’s centre partner.
Geoff Richardson
A No. 10, Richardson could pick passes off his boot laces and ensure the movement lost none of its momentum and flow. From country NSW, stationed in Townsville in the army and in one season represented Townsville, Queensland Country, Queensland and Australia in 1971.
Brendan Moon
The blockbusting Moon was also a lovely athletic winger with a swerve to die for. A silky mover who was called into Queensland side in 1978 for tour of Japan and North America without playing a first grade game and scored five tries in two games to launch a great career at 19.
Brett Johnstone
While not a great, the Souths Magpies’ champion was a glorious running footballer who made playing halfback look easy.
Dallas O’Neill
A prodigy out of Nudgee College in 1962 after GPS premierships in 1960-61.
An athlete at No.8 who loved running, he toured with the Wallabies at 19 and was captain of Queensland at 21 in 1964.
Ben Tune
The Queensland Team of the Century winger was born to run. Made his state debut as an 18-year-old and was playing for Australia soon after. He is a St Paul’s School old boy.
Des Connor
The remarkable, extraordinary Des Connor who played for the Wallabies, then the All Blacks and finally coached the Wallabies. He hailed from Marist College Ashgrove.
SPEED DEMONS
Paul McLean
One of Queensland’s top 10 players in 140 years, McLean once ran the 100 yards in 11.1 seconds at the GPS track and field meet.
Tim Horan
Horan’s pace was blinding. He suffered a career threatening knee injury in 1993-94 and was never as fast, but few will forget his try for Queensland against NSW at Concord Oval in 1992.
Barry Lea
The Southport School old boy Lea was special, an unreliable athlete. I am not sure I have seen a faster rugby player than Lea.
Brett Leavy
Powerfully built just like a 100m sprinter, Marist old boy Leavy was explosive with his speed.
Rod Davies
He was nicknamed Rocket and for good reason – boy, didn’t he take off.
Jeff McLean
From Australian rugby’s greatest ever family, McLean was a left wing speed merchant who played for Queensland and Australia.
Brenton Fielke
Fielke played in an era when Wests had one of the most imposing packs in club rugby, and his presence on the wing as an elite finisher added a nice dimension to the Bulldogs side.
Lloyd McDermott
McDermott was a thrilling winger with pace and more pace who, after helping Churchie to two GPS First XV premierships, made his Queensland debut against Fiji in 1961. He played two Tests against the imposing All Blacks.
Ben Tune
At the peak of his powers the explosive Tune would part the hair of opponents as he whizzed past them.
GREAT ALLROUNDERS
Otto Nothling
Remarkably Nothling was the person who replaced the immortal Sir Donald Bradman on the only occasion Bradman was dropped from Test cricket. One of only two Australians to play Test rugby and cricket, the Brisbane Grammar School old boy was a GPS shot putt champion who also threw an Australian javelin record.
David Rathie and Don Regeling
Both men were rare birds in sport who played for Queensland in both rugby and cricket.
Rathie, an inside centre and elite GPS tennis player from Churchie, rose to also play for the Wallabies while Ipswich Grammar School old boy Regeling was an Australian schoolboy rugby and Queensland winger who, like Rathie, played Sheffield Shield cricket.
Bob Wood
Wood was a 1.93m back rower from Marist College Ashgrove who went on two Wallaby tours, playing a Test. He was also a First XV cricketer and also held a schoolboy state record holder in long jump.
Laurie Lawrence
Queensland halfback who became one of Australia’s greatest swimming coaches and a one-off raconteur and motivation speaker.
John Eales
Many thought if Eales had not played rugby, he would have been a Queensland cricketer. Eales played first grade for University as an opening bowler and was named Players of the Tournament when playing for Marist Ashgrove in the Marist Cricket Carnival.
Paul McLean
We mentioned McLean earlier for his speed, but he was also a gun Nudgee First XI swing bowler, track sprinter and one of Australia’s finest rugby fullbacks or five-eighth.
Tom Lawton (senior)
A Wallaby legend who played 14 Tests, Brisbane Grammar School oldboy Lawton was a Firsts rugby, cricket, rower and tennis player – and also a track and field champion.
Pat Howard
Howard makes our list not so much for his on field sporting prowess, but for a combination of both on field and off field. The Marist College Ashgrove old boy and veteran of 20 Tests, Howard was a beautiful inside centre or No. 10 ballplayer with a powerful step. But later in life was appointed General Manager, Team Performance – for the Australian Cricket Team.
David Taylor
A No. 8 from the 1960s who, the University of Queensland strongarm forward played five Tests in 1968. But Taylor was also an elite cricketer who was named by News Corp in Churchie’s greatest XI as a support pace bowler to Test players Ron Archer and Tony Dell.
Bob McMaster
The Terrace old boy was a dual international – in rugby and wrestling. He played rugby prop in the 1940s and 1950 before successfully switching sports.
ENTERTAINMENT PLUS PLAYERS
Barry Lea for his acrobatic, somersaulting celebration of tries and Quade Cooper for his natural skills. Cooper always had you on the edge of his seat because he’d try things no one else had the courage to do.
BIGGEST BOOT
Lloyd Graham (GPS) and Roger Gould (Wests): We will call it a draw between Graham and Gould, both of whom could land field goals from the other side of halfway, and delivering Garryowen’s so high, they’d threaten to bring rain.
But a special mention to left footed clear kick specialists Chris Latham (Wests) and Greg Martin (University), along with Richard Graham (Easts) and Tyron Mandrusiak (Souths).
BIG CHARACTERS
Chris Handy
There has been no bigger character in Queensland rugby than this Terrace old boy. He could hold court in a bar or at a restaurant like no other, and his description of matches when he was a television commentator were legendary.
Stan Pilecki
The “Pole” was bigger than Ben-Hur, a larger than life giant who loved a smoke, a beer and to spin a yarn. We reckon Alan Jones took him on the 1984 Grand Slam tour for morale as much as his hard-nosed scrum play.
Dick Marks
A Wallaby and Queensland centre champion, he was also one of the country’s great after dinner speakers? For decades his dry wit entertained the port drinking rugby old boys, meandering stories which moved slowly, all the while having different sections of the rooms chuckling before delivering a punch line.
Greg Martin
If you’d seen Greg Martin’s antics back in the Uni clubhouse after club matches, it would not have shocked you that he would become one of the big entertainers on the Brisbane Radio station MMM.
Dick Cocks
A powerful backrower with distinctive moustache. he could play piano, entertain and set his chest hair alight...sometimes all at once post-game.
BEST NICKNAME:
Rod McCall
The decorated Queensland and Australian second row ace was nicknamed the Postman because he always delivered possession for his team as a No. 2 jumper – in both defence and attack.
John Eales
Eales was nicknamed “Nobody” because nobody is perfect. He was as close to perfection as anyone would get on the rugby field.
Nigel Holt
Holt, a 1984 Grand Slam touring member, was nicknamed “The Shredder”. The Easts Tigers legend came from a bygone era when those who fell on the wrong side of the ruck where punished severely.
QUIET ACHIEVER
Paul Carozza
Quiet as a church mouse, Carozza’s little legs pumped like pistons as he sped across the field playing First XV rugby BSHS, club rugby for Wests, 91 games for Queensland and 15 Tests.
Toutai Kefu
Although nicknamed Bob Hope after the legendary USA funny man, he was a largely quietly spoken man who let his rugby do the talking. Arguably among Queensland’s greatest top 25 players of all time, Kefu played 117 times for Queensland and is a Wallaby legend
THE ORIGINAL CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS
Alec Evans was a remarkable leader, a tough, unrelenting type who was intimidated by no one. He played with injury, and he caused injury across 11 seasons wearing the Queensland jumper. Evans then became a coaching mastermind and as Alan Jones’ assistant coach, he was the brains behind the Wallabies 1984 Grand Slam sweep.
THE BEST COMEBACK – ALMOST
Graham Noon was a schoolboy prodigy who progressed from captaining the 1973 Australian schoolboys from Brisbane Grammar School, into the Queensland team. A fullback whose provincial games were curtailed by the rise of two greats – Paul McLean and Roger Gould, Noon was so highly thought of by 1984 Wallaby coach Alan Jones that Jones tried to lure him out of retirement with a promise of taking him on the Grand Slam tour.
THE BEST COMEBACK
Tim Horan’s effort to rise from a sickening knee injury and still be the player he was post 1994 reflected Horan’s greatness. At one stage his priority was merely to walk properly again so he could play in the backyard with his kids, and that he was able to return and pick up where he left off was a truly remarkable achievement.
Ben Tune
The best of Ben Tune was actually when he was a teenager representing Queensland and Australia as a 19-year-old – which is remarkable given his amazing career. Named in Queensland’s Team of the Century on the wing, Tune courageously played with bone rubbing on bone in his knee, restricting him to becoming a great instead of an immortal. He was simply a sensation.
THE BEST SIDE STEP
Michael O’Connor
O’Connor was a real twinkle toes outside centre with an extraordinary ability to step. He went on to become a dual international great, but we so fondly remember his formative years and moving up from the ACT when he helped Teachers-Norths to the 1981 grand final. His teammates included Chris Roche, Peter Horton, Greg Cornelsen, Geoff Richardson and Ken Glover. No wonder they challenged Brothers for the title.
THE SCHOOLBOY WHO WAS ALWAYS GOING TO MAKE IT
Elton Flatley
An absolute superstar at First XV level, Flatley was playing Super Rugby within three months of walking out the school gates at Nudgee College. It was the start of a remarkable senior career.
Jordan Petaia
The superb Logan talent was still at State High when signed by the Reds and he has lived up to the hype.
BEST TOM CRUISE (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE) EFFORT
Daniel Herbert
The most decorated centre pairing in Wallaby history is the Tim Horan-Jason Little combination – yet somehow Daniel Herbert forced his way in-between them, forcing Little to the wing – and ultimately interstate.
Herbert eventually finished with 67 caps.
UNASSUMING CHAMPION
Paul Kahl
He was Mr Casual of rugby during the 1990s, a no-fuss No. 10 for his beloved Easts, then Queensland and ultimately for Australia in 1992 when his tactical kicking was key in Australia winning at Cardiff Arms park. The match.
This quiet achiever then disappeared silently from the code – just the way he liked it.
THE MR VERSATILE AWARD
Kerry Larkin
Larkin was so versatile he could play backrow, hooker and prop with ease. An outstanding schoolboy cricketer for Churchie, Larkin played two Tests for the Wallabies.
FONDEST OF FAREWELLS
David Dunworth was a hard core front rower who played for Queensland with distinction – earning five Tests along the way. He had the fondest of farewells when he helped the Maroons thrash NSW in 1976. He was a veteran of the pack that day and led by example.
BEST LITTLE MEN
Chris Roche
Pound for pound Roche was a giant among grizzly forwards. An open side flanker, he was nuggety and put his body where angels would fear to tread.
Brothers hookers Mark McBain, Peter Horton and Billy Ross were others, but Roche took the cake. He was a member of the 1984 Grand Slam winning squad, playing a Test only because coach Alan Jones went for bigger bodies.
Mark McBain
A Brothers great, McBain was both a tight forward maestro who played with the zing and energy of a rampant open side breakaway. He was Mr Inspiration the day Brothers won the 1987 premiership against the odds and although his Queensland and Wallaby appearances were restricted by the presence of Reds giant Tom Lawton, the St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace old boy was worth his weight in gold no matter what side he played for.
David Nucifora
The University champion was no giant for a hooker, but no one told him that. HIs fierce determination helped him represent Queensland and the Wallabies with distinction, including on the 1991 World Cup tour.
Owen Edwards
GPS legend, Edwards was so small at school that he was coax in the 1957 Head of the River win by Churchie. Yet this wonderful halfback with a special pass was a 1961 Wallaby tourist. So much for being too small.
Sam Scott-Young
Sam walks tall, but for what he did on the field, you’d think he was 198cm in height with shoulders as wide as a farm’s barn. He bravely played above his weight as a No. 8 or flanker.
David Hillhouse
Spring heeled “Hector’’ Hillhouse was remarkable in that he was slight for a second rower but was unsurpassed as a lineout jumper.
Dan Crowley and Nick Stiles
For front-rowers, Crowley and Stiles were not big men, yet more than held their own again bigger, grizzly opponents across provincial and international rugby. They must have had the most amazing technique to not only survive, but flourish.
Greg Hassall
Hassell was no towering giant, but he was unrelenting as a No. 8 for his beloved Easts and when he played for Queensland. Hassell was a tremendously courageous player.
Billy Ross
The BGS old boy and University hooker champion had the heart of a lion, never more evident when he teamed with Tony D’Arcy and Declan Curran (on debut) to help scrum the Wallabies to a famous 1980 victory over the All Blacks.
Will Genia
Dynamo at halfback from BBC, he scored the winning try in the 2011 Super Rugby final and always a crowd favourite.
SOME GREAT LEADERS
Steve Moore
With 129 Test caps in his cupboard, the bloke is a living legend. Remarkably he oversaw 97 Wallaby victories, a number as captain.
Mark Loane
Has there been a more inspiring leader in Queensland rugby history than Loane. Unstoppable force from No. 8, Loane led with his actions and his teammates loved him for that. He had a presence about him.
Andrew Slack
For decades Queensland’s most capped player (133 matches), Andrew Slack played rugby for Queensland when the Maroons used to have to be billeted out to families when they toured New Zealand. Do you believe that?
He entered senior rugby as a five-eight after leaving Villanova College, but got his start in the Queensland side at outside centre.
He was a stunning youth talent who evolved into an inspiring leader who captained the Wallabies on the famous 1984 Grand Slam romp – and they two years later to a famous Bledisloe Cup win. His last match was for Souths in the 1987 grand final.
Alec Evans
In Evans’ era, Queensland players often went to the well only to find it empty. But no matter the odds, Evans fiercely led the Maroons by example across more than a decade of combat.
Mark Murray
He’s one from left field. Murray played open flanker during the 1990s where his pathway into the Queensland side was blocked by the great David Wilson (Easts) and Brett Robinson (Souths). Murray’s leadership to take GPS to the greatest club grand final upset in Queensland rugby club history (1996) was sublime.
Brett Robinson
Robinson was an amazing leader for Souths and then for the ACT where he spearheaded the Brumbies to amazing Super Rugby success.
Tony Shaw
The Brothers forward leader was one of the great leaders of any era, and so was James Horwill and Wests Bulldogs legend Peter Slattery who led Queensland to two Super 10 titles
BEST IMPORTS
Daniel Braid
Fine flanker for Queensland for several seasons from 2009 after playing for the All Blacks
Epi Bolawaqatabua
Fijian dental student who won premierships for Brothers in the 1960s and was drafted for Queensland in 1967 and 1968. A flamboyant, running No.8 who returned to his homeland to captain Fiji.
Greg Cornelsen
Made his mark in country NSW before being persuaded to come to Brisbane and form part of Queensland’s champion side. Geoff Shaw was another NSW champion of the era who saw the light and moved to Queensland where he served as a player and later a QRU official.
Chris Latham
First played for NSW from randwick before his move to Brisbane. So passionate about Queensland he always joked the state border looped around hjis home town of Narrabri.
Taniela Tupou
The reds secured the giant prop as a teen from the NZ schools system but the Tongan giant always said he wanted to play for the Wallabies.
Matthew Pini
Pini overcame an uncertain start to become Australia’s No. 1 fullback at the 1995 World Cup. Tremendously courageous under the Garryowen, he was an astute runner and a perfect blend for Queensland’s Tim Horan, Jason Little and Daniel Herbert three-quarter line.
David Codey
The towering back rower was a Grand Slam winner who went on to captain Australia in 1987 against New Zealand after the World Cup.
SOME UNSUNG OLD GUARD PLAYERS
Rod Hauser
A St. Peters Lutheran College old boy, ball of muscle Hauser played 15 Tests but would be considered an unsung player curtailed at the top level by legendary New South Wales player John Hipwell. He played during the 1970s when Queensland started a transition which would see them beat the All Blacks in 1980.
David Croft
A flanker of considerable bravery, Terrace old boy Croft was a courageous, grafting open side breakaway who played more than 100 matches for Queensland – but only five Tests. At international level he was pinned behind emerging Wallaby captains George Smith and Phil Waugh.
Mark Catchpole
Strong, powerfully built, Catchpole often took on the role of a ninth forward, such was his strength. The son of Wallaby legend Ken Catchpole, TSS old boy Mark is a Wests’ Bulldogs legend whose provincial career was restricted by the presence of Queensland champions Peter Slattery and Brett Johnstone.
Jim Miller
Miller was the type of forward who would shed blood, sweat and tears for a Maroons jersey. A back rower from Wests, Miller played in the Bob Templeton-coached Queensland teams in the mid to late 1970s when the Maroons were putting in place building blocks which would restore the state to the top of Australian rugby.
Damien Barker
From a famous rugby family Barker – Damien, John and Damien – Damien was as courageous as the day was long. He played for a resurgent Teachers Norths in the 1970s and had the respect of everyone at club level.
David L’Strange
He was an Ashgrove old boy who was a sublime outside centre from the early 1976.
Paddy Batch
Although he finished his career in 1979, Ashgrove old boy Batch burst onto the scene for Queensland in 1972 as an athletic, powerful winger who could bump over for a try, or use his speed to reach the corner. He was a part of a new, exciting era in Maroons rugby at the time.
Mick Barry
Another victim of the great NSW No. 9 John Hipwell, Brothers halfback Barry was good enough to play a lot more international rugby than his one Wallaby cap – but it is one more than most of us. He is a Marist College Ashgrove old boy.
Michael Crank
Another Mark College Ashgrove old boy, Crank was a prop forward schooled by the rugged and rough house Brothers packs of the 1980s. He was the cornerstone of The Brothers pack which dramatically upset Souths to win the 1987 premiership and played some midweek games for Queensland.
Tom Barker
Barker had arguably the biggest impact out of the Barker playing brothers – a schoolboy prodigy who went on to play for the Wallabies. Another who was a key factor in Queensland’s 1970s renaissance, he was not always a starter for the Maroons –Mark Loane, Tony Shaw, Greg Cornelsen and Chris Roche were his competition – but he never let club, state or country down.
He was a good one.
Dom Maguire and Anthony Herbert
Maguire and Herbert were bricks and mortar types in the Queensland midfield in 1988 and 1989 when Queensland were looking to re-establish authority over NSW.
A rugged, more competitive centre pairing could not have been found, and although they dipped from the spotlight when Tim Horan and Jason Little arrived on the scene, the magnitude of their exploits in interstate games against NSW in the late 1980s should never diminish with time.
Both men also had their moments playing for the Wallabies – outside centre Herbert who played in a winning Test side against the All Blacks in Wellington (1990) and inside centre Maguire scoring on Test debut against the British Lions (1989).
Herbert would later become a fixture on Queensland and Wallaby tours where he was both the Minister of Finance and also the Minister of Golf Days and Good Times.
Mark Connors
How can someone who played 134 matches for Queensland be underrated? But he was, at least for a long time south of the border. A St Laurence’s College old boy with a terrific vertical leap, Connors was so talented he could play No. 8 – his preferred position – blind flanker or lock in an era of intense rivalry for back five forward positions at provincial and international level. He ultimately played 20 Tests, including helping win the 1999 World Cup.
John Roe
The 107 match veteran for the Reds who took a while to be recognised by the state selectors. But once he had his foot through the door, he was a much admired fixture in Queensland teams from 1999. The No. 8 played for Wests.
Shane and Mark Nightingale
From a roughhouse era, these bruise brothers from The Brothers club took no prisoners playing loose forward.
Tyron Mandrusiak
Mandrusiak played mainly in club land for Souths, but was a Queensland tourist. He was a clever tactician at No. 10 with a booming boot both for the line and for goal. He almost made our Biggest Boot listing as well.
Sean Hardman
Hardman by name, hard man by nature, this unsung Brothers hooker put his body on the line for club, state and country. He was capped four times and played a record 148 matches for Queensland.
Jeff Miller
A thorough champion who shone as an open side flanker. Quick to the break down, courageous to the core, the University great was one the very best.
HARD HITTERS
Ilie Tabua
A front on defender without peer, Fijian born Tabua was a defensive hit man who ball runners avoided in the defensive line.
John Heinke
Those who saw it will never forget a hit by Heinke playing for the Bulldogs at Sylvan Road. The Rothman’s Medal winner from Marist College Ashgrove hit an opponent front on. With knees crouched he drove up and made contact around the ball and continued driving through his opponent’s chest, sending him reeling backwards.
Alan Dick
Nicknamed Exocet after the missile, Dick was an outside centre whose flying tackles were legendary.
Greg Shambrook
The Miami SHS alumni renowned for his crash tackling exploits as a centre in the 1970s. He played two Tests.
Matt Cockbain
Minister of Defence in 1999 RWC side.
SOME PRE-1975 CHAMPIONS
In the stories above we have already featured the godfather of Queensland rugby Alec Evans, after dinner entertainer Dick Marks, the Bradman of rugby Tom Lawton and dual international Otto Nothling already in our story.
But here are some other old time champions:
Team of the Century prop Neil “Tiny’’ Betts of Souths
Brisbane Grammar School old boy Chilla Wilson played four Tests, but his contribution to rugby went beyond his playing career. He was a decorated coach at Wests, and team manager of both Queensland and the Wallabies.
Jules Guerassimoff was noted for his charisma, an all or nothing flanker first capped against South Africia in 1963.
Jimmy Flynn
Another Terrace old boy, Flynn was an extraordinary talent who could play halfback or centre. Aged just 17 years when he played for Queensland, his career was cut short aged just 20 by the World War I breakout.
Eddie Bonis, the former Queensland and Australian hooker was an outstanding playing in his own right, but gains extra merit points here for mentored the great Neil “Tiny” Betts during his formative years.
Neville Cottrell, the crafty hooker who was alongside the Betts brothers, Neill and Kevin, in the 1950s.
Vince Bermingham
A Terrace old boy, he was a powerful forward who was a part of Queensland’s 1930s revival.
Jim Clark
A former Australian captain from Terrace, the breakaway spearheaded Queensland’s rugby recovery during the years of the Great Depression.
Eddie and Michael Dore
The Terrace old boys were poles apart on the field – Eddie was a prop and Michael a halfback – but both Queensland and Australia. The Dore Oval stands a memorial to the family.
RELATED LINKS
COLTS 1 CLUB RUGBY TEAM OF THE YEAR
QUEENSLAND REDS UNDER 18S TEAMS
WHITE LINE FEVER SPECIALIST
Greg Cornelsen
Originally from Sydney, flanker Cornelsen aided Queensland’s surge up the world provincial. He was as nice as pie off the field, a frothing beast on it.
Brendan Nasser
A mild-manner dentist, Nasser was a brutal tight side flanker for Queensland and Australia. He was alow-to-the-ground No.8 or flanker who you always preferred on your team rather than to play against. Uncompromising style for Uni and Queensland in particular.
Tony Shaw
Once described as warrior chieftain for his urging of his pack. The ultimate no-prisoners attitude, he who would drag a back from his own club Brothers into a maul so he could experience the controlled brutality of forward play. A major reason why Queensland became the top provincial side in the world in the 1970s.
Alec Evans
Noted hardman for Queensland throughout the 1960s when he played backrow, lock and prop. Once wore a swim cap in a game for Qld. He said it was to protect his bald pate from the sun. Others surmised it helped prevent cuts in head-bumping forward clashes.* Sam Scott-Young: Never shied away from a fracas on the field. Once winked at the haka for the Wallabies before the 1992 Test against the All Blacks and ended up with stitches in his head as payback. He had the last laugh in the winning Test at Ballymore.
David Codey
Mr Nice Guy off the field, a switch was flicked when he cross the line playing for either NSW, Queensland or Australia. His Monday to Friday demeanour gave no hint of what he would do to an opponent at 3pm on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Also David Dunworth was brawny Brothers prop who played four of his five Tests against France when the Wallabies were trying to meet fire with fire.
BEST YOUNG TALENT WE DIDN’T SEE ENOUGH OF
Michael Tabrett
The late Tabrett, a centre or fullback talent who played for Queensland in 2003, unfortunately died young.
Tony D’Arcy
D’Arcy was so skilled as a prop, he could play both sides of the scrum. After storming onto provincial and international rugby, the Brothers talent was lost to rugby league. But he did return as a club coach, leading GPS to the greatest upset grand final win in history in 1996.
Bob Honan
The brother esteemed Wallaby Barry, Marist College Ashgrove old boy Bob Honan opted for a NSWRL career where he was a premiership winner with the famous South Sydney Rabbitohs. Honan played centre.
Gavan Horsley
A lifesaver at Burleigh Heads SLC, Churchie old boy Horsley played for Queensland aged 19 – and then as a Wallaby tourist. However, injury ended his career prematurely.
Kevin Ryan
A harder man has never graced a rugby field, but the Nudgee Old Boy spent most of his sporting life playing for the champion St George rugby league club.
MARVELS THIS CENTURY
What about this for am all-star line-up, fabulous players, every last one of them who has served Queensland so well this century: Radike Samo -105 caps, James Slipper – 103 caps, Stephen Moore – 102 caps, Rob Simmons – 102 caps, Will Genia – 104 caps, Anthony Fainga’a – 105 caps, Saia Fainga’a – 105 caps, James Horwill – 114 caps, Greg Holmes – 144 caps, Hugh McMeniman – 87 caps.
EMERGING REDS
Louis Werchon | Wests | Sunshine Coast Grammar School – Maroochydore Swans
A clone of McDermott, Werchon offers some razzle dazzle at No.9.
Having made his official debut against the Panasonic Wild Knights of Japan, the blonde-haired Werchon, from Sunshine Coast Grammar, is another squad member not far away from a run in Super Rugby Pacific.
Floyd Aubrey | GPS | Marist College Ashgrove
The Murgon fullback talent was the Under 20s player of the year in 2021 but had a nasty ankle injury which put a line through his 2023 season.
From Marist College Ashgrove, Aubrey has represented the Junior Wallabies and we hope to see him excel under newly appointed GPS premier grade coach Sio Kite in 2024.
Ironically Kite coached Aubrey in GPS’ colts 1 premiership winning team in 2021.
Mac Grealy | University of Queensland | Downlands College
Grealy will be a great boost for the Reds next year, the Downlands Old Boy possessing the ability to play any of the back three positions.
He’s got that x-factor a lot of these Reds backs seem to have as well.
Tom Lynagh | University of Queensland | Epsom College | Richmond Rugby Club
The son of the Reds all time leading points scorer was an automatic inclusion. Still just 20, Lynagh showed he will be a valid option at fly half should injury strike top-choice James O’Connor or Lawson Creighton in the 2024 season.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips | Souths | Brisbane Boys College
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 teammates Harry Wilson and Floyd Aubrey just to list a few.
After a standout campaign with the Queensland U19s team in the National Championships (2022), McLaughlin-Phillips has committed to Queensland Rugby through 2025.
Nick Baker | Marist College Ashgrove
Junior Wallaby, Queensland Reds Under 19s skipper and GPS rugby club flanker or No. 8 Nick Baker has done all the right things in his young career so far.
He leads from the front, bulldozes his rivals in the breakdown, and has a work rate second to none.
One to track the progress of in the Hospital Cup next year in his return from a knee injury.
John Bryant | St Laurence’s College
Byant is very similar to Baker. They both took the AIC First XV rugby competition by storm in 2019 and 2020, looking like men among boys. Since then, they’ve been in the Reds Academy sharpening their tools.
Junior Wallaby Bryant was signed by the Reds in August.
Taj Annan | Souths
A Reds Academy graduate, the BBC Old Boy who was born in Newcastle has ascended 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 finals series and Under 19 National Championships in 2022.
He went on to play seven games for the Reds this season.
Taine Roiri | Sunnybank
Hard to miss with his colourful hair, Sunnybank backrow specialist Taine Roiri is a Reds squad member, after graduating from the Reds academy last year.
The John Paul College alumni is a towering presence in the lineouts, a source of power in the scrums and a strong ball carrier.
Nick Bloomfield | Easts | Anglican Church Grammar School
Prop powerhouse Nick Bloomfield is a Junior Wallaby and Tier One Academy member with the Reds.
He has been excellent for Tyrell Barker’s Easts colts 1 side and is trending in the right direction.
Jarrod Homan | Easts | Brisbane Boys College
BBC old boy Jarrod Homan had himself quite the 2022, having a breakout year in the Colts 1 competition for Easts, earning him selection in the Queensland Reds Under 19 team.
He’s quick, strong, a great finisher and is not afraid of contact.
Unfortunately the Tier One Reds Academy member has been out injured much of the year.
Ben Daniels | Brothers | Anglican Church Grammar School |
Cloncurry product Ben Dnaiels 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.
Indeed Daniels represented the Queensland Reds Under 18s last year, as well as the Australian Schools & Under 18 team.
Max Craig | Easts | Anglican Church Grammar School
Junior Wallaby Craig is a hooker who attended Churchie and plays for Easts.
He is the son of newly appointed Easts premier grade coach Simon Craig, and is in the Reds Tier One Academy.
Matt Brice | University of Queensland | Good Shepherd Lutheran College | Noosa Dolphins
A rangy fullback from the Sunshine Coast, Brice is deceptively fast and among the fittest players in the Colts 1 competition.
He has the ability to slide past defenders and break open the line with ease and was a strong performer in the Queensland Reds under 19s last year.
Baguio Johnson-Tiumalu | Wests
Prop Johnson-Tiumalu is powerful and full of physicality.
He recently came off the bench for the Reds Development XV in game two of the Challenger Series.
Willem Johnstone | Souths | St Joseph’s Nudgee College | Maroochydore Swans
In case you haven’t got it yet, the Reds have themselves no shortage of elite scrumhalves.
Nudgee old boy Johnstone is another elite firing pin for success.
He is a danger running the ball and the Reds Academy member played for the Reds Development XV in the Challenger Series.
George Stoddart | Easts | Anglican Church Grammar School | Easts | Queensland U19s
The nimble Stoddart played No. 8 for Easts this year and his output was a given.
A Churchie old boy, Stoddart has been one of the best forwards in the Colts 1 competition for three years.
Tim Ryan | Brothers | St Patrick’s College | Queensland U19s
The 19-year-old Brothers winger is a natural.
He is quick, elusive, tough and is one of the best schoolboy rugby players the AIC competition has seen.
Charlie Wigan | University of Queensland | Toowoomba Grammar School
The prop from the Darling Downs is a very talented player capable of performing in both the tight and the wider channels as a prop.
Wigan has developed his lineout throwing, is a tryscoring threat and was a tremendous skipper for TGS in 2021.
Harrison Usher | Bond University | The Kings School, NSW
From the King’s School, Junior Wallaby Usher was a prime mover for the Bullsharks this season.
The Bond prop (who we named him at hooker in our Team of the Year) is a brute, a John Eales scholarship holder and a Reds Academy talent.
Sam Mataafa | Souths | Padua College | Sunnybank
Sunnybank junior Mataafa is a powerful flanker who was a schoolboy whiz for Padua College.
A Tier One Reds Academy member.
Lachlan Connors (Bond University)
The towering Bond University captain whose form indicates a Super Rugby Pacific appearance is not far away.
For someone so big and tall, his mobility and footwork is impressive.
Shaun Anderson (GPS)
He has come from left field to be invited to Reds training during the off-season. An outside centre, Anderson has made an impact as a crash tackling back, but with the ball has speed as well.
He is the wildcard on our list.
QUENSLAND REDS UNDER 19s
FORWARDS
Lehopa Leota (Brothers)
From Iona College, who knew about the powerful Leota in mainstream rugby before this season?
Now the best kept secret in Australian schoolboy rugby has emerged to star as a running prop for Iona College in the AIC competition, win a premiership with Brothers, earn Australian schoolboy selection and now Queensland under 18s and 19s promotion.
All this from a prop in Year 11 set to be named school captain in 2024.
Alex Kerr (Easts)
Kerr hit his strap for the Easts Tigers this season, being an elite backrower in colts 1 after helping Churchie claim a shared GPS rugby premiership in 2022.
He certainly has the runs on the board.
Charlie Brosnan (Brothers)
Mark this name down in the little black book. Brosnan is an athletic marvel with beautiful hands, catch-pass skills and boundless energy.
All this from a lineout ace who always gets the job done in the set pieces.
Will Rogers (Norths)
The Eagles hooker was a rolling maul specialist and his elevation into the under 19s team is thoroughly deserved after a rousing club season with Norths’ colts.
He will benefit again playing against old opponents at the national championships.
Rory Beech (Brothers)
The Nudgee old boy did it all for Brothers this season, both in the set piece – where he was schooled by the high class Nudgee College finishing school – and around the ruck when asked to carry the ball.
Pat Sowerby (University)
Sowerby was elite as a No. 8 for the Red Heavies in 2023 and selection in the under 19s will give him a chance to further his development after rising from the embers this season after playing colts 3 last year.
Trevor King (Souths)
Expectedly coached by Downlands Wallaby Garrick Morgan in 2022, Fijian prop Trevor King is a ripping prospect.
He has committed to the Reds long term after making the Junior Wallabies and playing premier grade rugby in his first year out of school.
Nick Bloomfield (Easts)
Bloomfield has certainly bloomed. The Tigers did not see as much as they would have liked of Bloomfield this season, but he would have been one of the first chosen in this side. Bloomfield is of course a Junior Wallaby.
Cooper Cameron (Brothers)
An unsung hero in Nudgee’s sweep to the 2022 shared GPS premiership, flanker Cameron went from strength to strength this season at Brothers with his exhaustive work around the breakdown, ball carrying and defence a tremendous asset at Crosby Park.
Jake Kurbatoff (Souths)
Another big part of Souths revival this season, the St Laurence’s premiership winning captain and lock is so athletic, the Brisbane Lions wanted him to play footy.
Kurbatoff, who has gotten much stronger this year, is a pretty good rugby player as well, being named the 2023 Queensland Premier Rugby U20 Player of the Year.
Joe Liddy (Easts)
If you were wanting an all-or-nothing loose forward to play for your life, then you’d choose Liddy.
The Terrace old boy is a natural leader, tough and unrelenting who leads by his actions.
It will be awesome to see Liddy in action during the national championships after a back injury prevented him from playing his second year of Colts 1 rugby.
Pat Gavin (GPS)
Tall timber, but as strong as an ox, he has roared back from injury and will not be out of his depth in the Queensland under 19s.
He is quickly making up for lost time and has upside.
Tommy O’Callaghan (Souths)
O’Callaghan has a great pedigree – his grandfather is the great, late The Courier-Mail journalist Frank O’Callaghan, known in rugby circles as “Frank O’Rugby’’. How proud “Frank O” would be to see his grandson son don the Maroon jersey and play against those dastardly rascals from south of the border. Tom is a hard working lock.
Harry Bell (Bond)
The Bond University loose-head spearheaded the Bullsharks scrum this year.
From St Joseph’s College, Bell is the cousin of Wallabies front rower Angus and is in the Queensland Reds Academy alongside Bond teammate Usher and Rocco Gollings.
Nitotimo Mateiwa (Bond)
One of the best in the business, Mateiwa will be a great asset to the young Reds’ national championships campaign.
Watch for his power and precision.
Isaac Nomani (Sunnybank)
The Dragons have had difficult years at colts level but their gradual improvement under Brendan Underwood has unearthed some willing talent, none more so than Nomani.
He had to play lock, but his best position is in the back row and gives Queensland an extra line out option.
Aiden Taylor (Brothers)
Match hardened and coming off premiership success for Brothers, he will be ready to rumble for Queensland.
hooker, Taylor will control the set-piece.
BACKS
Callum Reidy (Norths)
A First XI cricketer and First XV rugby player from St Laurence’s, Reidy played halfback for their 2022 premiership winning team.
He is a great kicker of the ball and his tactical awareness and game understanding are strengths.
Campbell King (Wests)
A try-scoring threat, King played inside centre for Wests in the Colts 1 competition this year and has x-factor about him.
Denzil Perkins (Souths)
After a ripping campaign with the resurgent Magpies side, speedy winger Perkins earned a spot in the Queensland Under 19s.
He is so fast, but is also very strong and that means he can finish.
Dre Pakeho (Brothers)
An Australian Schools & U18s select, Pakeho is no doubt relishing all the footy he is playing.
He was a Colts 1 premiership winner with Brothers this season, Churchie last season and this will be his first National Championships campaign.
The Australian Schools & U18s centre two years running will don the No. 12 jersey.
Ellis Davies (Brothers)
Davies turned up at Brothers this year from Wales and had a ripper Colts 1 season.
He is an effort player, a back-three young gun who chases kicks, communicates and is safe under the high ball.
Frankie Goldsbrough (Churchie)
The strong arm outside centre from Churchie is full of hard running and tough tackle. He will love the contact while also possessing an ability to put his wingers away and impact the ruck when his outside backs succumb in a tackle.
Will McCulloch (Norths)
McCulloch had a break out season in the 2022 Reds Emerging Cup and from there his confidence must have soared. The Eagles fullback – an Australian schoolboy – has a brilliant knack about him and can kick goals too.
Will Nason (Souths)
Nason is another new player to colts football who flew into the Magpies nest after learning his craft under Scott Gale at Toowoomba Grammar School.
A talented cricketer who plays fullback.
Ryley Bierton (Souths)
Winger Bierton is a fierce competitor, can kick goals and brings energy to the one per cent plays off the ball. On the ball he can finish a movement as well, don’t worry.
Tom Manca (UQ)
A Sunshine Coast Grammar School product, he is a young gun halfback who played Premier rugby for the Red Heavies this season.
Luke Aiken (Sunshine Coast Grammar School)
What is in the water at Sunshine Coast Grammar school when it comes to halfbacks. Louis Werchon and Tate McDermott are graduates, Tom Manca and now Aiken are all elite youth scrumhalves.
Talk about being spoiled for choice, plus you’ve got Tafito Ah-Ki (St Edmund’s College), James Martins and Jamie Alexander (Both BBC) all in Year 12.
Joe Doljanin (GPS)
He is an athletic and powerful outside centre from GPS.
He will enjoy playing in elite company at the national championships.
Queensland Reds Under 18s
Avery Thomson (BBC)
From the cradle of BBC, this tall lock has tremendous up side because of his height and agility.
He wins lineouts for fun and is one of the more promising in the Reds Academy.
RELATED LINKS
Fergus Gillan (TSS)
We doff our hats to Gillan. He was arguably the most consistent, aggressive back five forward in the GPS competition this season and we named him at No. 5 in our Team of the Season.
He thoroughly deserved the starting No. 5 jersey in the Australian Schools & U18s clash against New Zealand.
Macarius Pereira (Nudgee)
He is respectful off the field and on the field he has one mode and that is beast mode.
Noah Rauluni (Nudgee)
Quick and dynamic with a ton of strength, Rauluni played every game for Nudgee this season.
Oliver Barrett (Nudgee)
He is the starting hooker in the Australian Schools & U18s team.
Pj Su’a (Gregory Terrace)
A No. 8, Su’a can wind up and deliver fatal blows with his ball carrying and front on contact and he can also offload.
Finn Prass (Brothers)
The tall Sunshine Coast Grammar School product has a huge boot and controls the game well out of fly half.
The versatile Prass has been named at fullback in the Australian Schools & U18s team.
Rocco Gollings (Bond University)
The Bond University Colts 1 speedster is a natural talent with flare and anticipation.
He has beefed up and is match hardened after a strong season of Colts 1.
Samson Tuqiri (BBC)
The son of dual international Lote is a dynamic winger who works hard off the ball.
He has made our GPS rugby Team of the Year two years in a row and he is only getting better.
He is an athlete and he is deceptively quick.
Xavier Rubens (BBC)
Tuqiri’s teammate at BBC, Rubens is a fast-paced and strong outside centre who pops up when you need something.
Rubens is a try scorer, a player who will chase kicks, challenge the breakdown and score the try that can turn the tide.
Amare Milford (TSS)
He is dynamic, tough as teak and a terrific offloaded who is a great link between the forwards and backs.
Billy Wellard (TSS)
Wellard is a coaches dream player, someone who wears his heart on his sleeve, gives 110 per cent and makes those extra effort plays.
He is just as good on the attack as he is defending and he is a must in the Reds Academy.
Cruz Leeming (Nudgee)
Leeming is proof of how good the Nudgee front row stocks are. Around Pereira and Barrett, Leeming was sometimes over shadowed but don‘t get it mixed up. He is elite and we noted him as a Special Mention in our end of season summary of the GPS season.
Emil Willie-Jawai (Churchie)
Churchie‘s front row battleship. He is powerful, perfect at the set-piece and improving with every game.
Ewald Kruger (Toowoomba Grammar)
A hooker, Kruger made the prestigious Australian under 16s development squad at the back end of last year and was a Queensland Reds under 18s Grey select this season.
His older brother Wihan (NSW Waratahs under 18s) and younger brother Ruben (Queensland Reds under 15s) can also play.
George Griffiths (Toowoomba Grammar)
A follow me type of leader, lock Griffiths spearheaded Toowoomba Grammar this season as they chased the GPS premiership.
He had the work ethic of a back rower and could run in long distance tries all the while being a colossus in the set pieces.
Harrison Angel (BBC)
The BBC lock had a consistent season for the blue and green.
You know what you are going to get with him and he was one of his team’s best on debut for BBC against IGS.
Jakeb Horne (BSHS)
The BSHS First XV captain, Horne is tireless, energetic and an inspirational leader.
He is strong and compact and made the Australian Schoolboys team last year.
Jeremiah Sialau (Toowoomba Grammar)
Sialau, a front rower, was a prime mover for TGS this season, mobile and a good ball handler.
Slater Gallaway (BBC)
Gallaway played in the front row for BBC this season and was a brute.
Tom Bailey (Toowoomba Grammar)
Bailey loves the physical battle. He was a part of an elite TGS back row which included Joe Gray and Jimmy White, and like that pair he worked overtime and left nothing in the tank.
Tom Robinson (Gregory Terrace)
A born leader, Robinson takes after his dad, Wallaby Brett. The Gregory Terrace school captain was a titan this season, leading with his words and showing the way with his actions on and off the field. He was mobile, skilled and aggressive.
Vaiuta Latu (St Peters Lutheran College)
The St Peters Lutheran College Year 12 student is tall, explosive and determined.
He reminds us of St Peters old boy Keynan Tauakipulu who plays for the Wests Bulldogs.
Charlie Johnstone (Churchie)
He was the best player in his position (fly half) in this year’s GPS competition and is a threat with his kicking, his running and his playmaking.
Chace Oates (Toowoomba Grammar)
The powerful utility back has a mighty big boot, a touch of class, a strong long pass and can deliver an unload in a tackle.
He is a well-rounded player who would be an asset to any side.
Jacob Johnson (Nudgee)
Brimming with potential and fearless.
James Martens (BBC)
Here is one for the little black book. The BBC halfback who edged out his schoolmate Jamie Alexander to gain selection in the under 18s.
He is similar to Jamie Alexander in that both players are quick between the ears, make winning plays and are good athletes.
Martens went on a three-game-tear to finish the 2023 GPS season, showcasing his lethal running-game when he was promoted from the seconds.
Maddox Maclean (Nudgee)
Maclean has time, doesn‘t overplay his hand and is both a brilliant goal kicker and exit option.
He is steady.
Josh Takai (BSHS)
The BSHS outside centre who burst onto the scene this year with highlight reel games against powerhouses TGS and Nudgee.
Ryan Shaw (Wests)
The Brisbane Grammar old boy and Wests Bulldogs colts 1 playmaker is a natural.
He has showed the benefits of receiving excellent schoolboy coaching from a very fine No. 10 former Bulldogs champion Phil Mooney who will coach the Wests colts 1 team in 2024.
Oscar Shaw (BBC)
The BBC fly half and captain was more than impressive this season with his torpedo kicks and high bombs causing troubles for his opposition.
He will benefit from club rugby next season and he is no pushover defensively.
Richard Dean (Toowoomba Grammar School)
The Toowoomba Grammar outside centre made our GPS Team of the Season as his school‘s potent back. Playing fullback, his incursions caused alarm bells in the opposition teams, as did his passing game to outside backs.
Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki (St Edmund’s College)
Like Hopa Leota, Ah-Ki played Colts 1 footy this year as a school student.
He is a special player, one who isn’t afraid to run it himself and he has been the lifeblood of the St Edmund’s First XV for the past three years.
ONES FOR THE BLACKBOOK
Princeton Ioane | St Joseph’s Nudgee College
Front row destructor Princeton Ioane gives any side great depth, whether he is used as a starter or a overpowering bench reinforcement.
Ioane is a fierce competitor who has a work rate unlike many forwards out there.
Tom Howard | Marist College Ashgrove
Tom Howard is the son of a gun – former Wallaby and Marist old boy Pat Howard – but the fleet-a-foot outside back has constructed his resume on his own terms, don’t worry. He is very good.
Howard made his First XV debut on the wing last year, which was a good place for him to start, but he moved into the centres this season. After playing in a battling Marist side last season, Howard flourished during the end of season National Championships.
Powerful No. 8 Barry is also a great prospect.
Stuart Taii Tualima | GPS
Tualima, a Brisbane State High Alumni and GPS rugby club young gun, is a dynamic youngster who can play anywhere in the back row.
QUENSLAND REDS UNDER 16S
FORWARDS
Keido Goulding (Queensland Country)
A gritty hooker who keeps his legs pumping and lets his actions do the speaking. He is a great leader,
Kapelasima Hamala (Nudgee)
Bennett Armistead (Nudgee)
Charlie Hollyman (Gregory Terrace)
The Gregory Terrace hooker does the little things right, scores a bunch at the back of the rolling maul and is elite in this age group.
Kiama Jione (Queensland Country Under 16, BBC)
A tough as nails No. 8 who gives 110 per cent on both sides of the ball.
The powerful Nomani is another deserving select after a strong Emerging Reds Cup showing at Ballymore.
If you look in the dictionary for dynamic a photo of Jione should come up.
Ed Kasprowicz (Nudgee)
The towering Kasprowicz made the Under 15s side last year and continues his development as an under 16s select after helping Nudgee to their 44th GPS rugby title.
He is tall, wins lineouts and has a great mentor in Queensland cricket great Michael Kasprowicz.
Oliver Nasser (Gregory Terrace)
He plays the same position of hooker as his older brother Josh who plays for the Queensland Reds.
We haven’t seen much of him but is of good pedigree. The Nasser family tree is choke full of sporting high achievers both on the rugby field and in the water polo pool.
Ollie is the son of Queensland and Wallaby flanker Brendan “Bobby’’ Nasser, a tough-as-teak blindside flanker who used to confront the NSW Waratahs with intense ferocity.
Another noted for being a good team man, Brendan was a member of the 1991 World Cup winning Wallaby squad.
Gray O’Neill (BBC)
BBC backrower O’Neill is very good. He is a similar player to Academy talent John Bryant in that O’Neill is skilful, silky, and poses the question what will he develop into?
Trent Picot (BSHS)
Will win ball at the breakdown, and will do anything for the team.
A Brisbane Tigers junior league rep, Picot played for the BSHS First XV this season and was a consistent performer at No.8.
Ethan Ramsay (St Peters Lutheran College)
Ramsay is from a famous swimming family — his dad and his sister have swum for the Australian Dolphins — and while he is also excellent in the pool, he is an athletic back rower.
Ramsay will provide go forward and plenty of it.
Jack Randall (BBC)
A lock brimming with potential.
From Port Macquarie now at BBC, Randall played half the season in the 16As before moving into the firsts in the absence of the injured Avery Thomson.
Tough, uncompromising and 195cm tall.
Isaac Rauluni (Nudgee)
His dad (Jacob) can play and his older brother (Noah) can too. Now it is time for young prop Isaac to flex his muscles in the front row.
Berakah Tuifaasisina (Ipswich SHS)
So strong and so powerful.
There aren’t many with the strength and muscle of this prop and with Kingsley Uys his accomplice this Reds scrum will be moving forward not backward in the national championships.
Kingsley Uys (TSS)
The TSS First XV prop is a men among boys in his age group and
BACKS
Clay Andrews (BBC)
A fast-paced winger with untapped potential.
He would have gained so much from the Emerging Reds Cup and will be exciting to see on the edge for the Queensland Reds under 16s.
Can carve out a time over the 100m.
Fletcher Austin (Churchie)
He played wing for the Churchie First XV, and fly half at the Emerging Reds Cup.
He is a great utility player who could play a variety of positions in this team and add value from anywhere.
Max Blanch (Churchie)
A beast on defence, a great line runner in attack and he is getting better and better at ball playing out of the No. 12 jersey.
Not dissimilar to Dre Pakeho who will play the same position in the U19s.
Jack Brown (Toowoomba Grammar)
Connor Clifford (Gregory Terrace)
The younger brother of Terrace First XV lock Noah had a steady Emerging Reds Cup campaign with a couple tries, some strong hit-ups and tough defence.
He showed a turn of speed as well and we will be covering more of him over the next two seasons of GPS First XV rugby.
Brock Coombes (Ipswich Grammar)
An ultra-quick winger who communicates loud, makes a ton of cover tackles, cleans out, chases kicks and does everything that gets the attention of selectors.
Callum Dalton (TSS)
Light on his feet, winger Dalton can produce magic out of nothing. From Grafton now honing his skills at TSS, Dalton is the cousin of Souths playmaker Cody Walker.
William Graham (St John’s College Nambour)
Will offer crisp service from scrumhalf and although quiet at the Emerging Reds Cup, selectors saw something in him and for good reason.
Damon Humphrys (Padua)
A year 10 student, Humphrys can play fly half or fullback and has a wonderful kicking game.
He played Firsts rugby and rugby league for Padua this season and was impressive in both teams.
Finn Mackay (St Laurence’s College)
Year 11 fly half Mackay played for the Melbourne Rebels Under 16s team at last year’s National Championships but this year he will wear Maroon after his family moved back home.
The fly half who steered St Laurence’s to their third successive AIC rugby premiership, Mackay is a tall playmaker whose kicking can win games.
Treyvon Pritchard (Churchie)
Didn’t play at the Emerging Reds Cup, but the fly half or fullback has zip, natural talent and an older brother, Kadin, who is a Brumbies signed outside back talent.
Treyvon has freakish ability.
Max Romer (Brisbane Grammar School)
Outside centre Romer made his First XV debut for BGS this season and didn’t look out of place.
Following this he had a strong Emerging Reds Cup showing in the championship Brisbane White Under 16s side.
Myles Rosemond (Queensland Country)
The Brothers Townsville fullback talent was an entertainer throughout the Emerging Reds Cup, impressing spectators with his footwork, offloading, kick returns and willingness to NEVER go to ground.
He is hard to bring down and always busy.
Tyson Walker (Ipswich Grammar)
A fullback, Walker injects himself with his precise kicking and his ability to draw-and-pass.
He is the brother of Roosters half Sam, son of Ben who played 138 NRL matches, while his uncle Chris played for Queensland Maroons and his other uncle Shane (178 games) was also an NRL veteran.
Played every game in the Ipswich Grammar First XV this year as a Year 10 student.
QUEENSLAND UNDER 15S IN TIER 3 REDS ACADEMY
Craig Thaggard
The blindside flanker from Proserpine SHS can play positions four through eight, get away an impossible offload and use his strength and size to will his team forward.
He is athletic with a mix of speed and power.
Gavin Wilson-Tyers
From Gladstone, Downlands College’s Wilson-Tyers is a ball-carrying front rower who impacted the Emerging Reds Cup with the Queensland Counntry Under 16s team.
Agapetos Lote-Felo
The Gold Coast Eagles junior honing his skills at rugby powerhouse The Southport School after starting his schooling journey at AB Patterson College in Arundel.
Young Lote-Felo is fit, big in size and a master of the one percenters.
More here.
Harrison Asi
A hooker, the powerful Asi plays his club rugby for Brothers and attends Wavell SHS.
Aiden Luke
Nudgee College have a history of producing gun hookers, most recently Will Rogers, and Oliver Barrett and coming through the ranks is this youngster who played in the schools premiership winning 15As side.
Adrian De Klurk
A Sunshine Coast grammar student and Noosa Dolphins junior, De Klurk has made the Reds Tier 3 Academy despite not playing in the Emerging Reds Cuo – so he must have talent.
Angus Underwood
An Easts Tiger, Underwood plays fullback and is quick between the ears.
Bailen Noy
A Churchie schoolmate of Underwood, Noy has time at fly half.
Bolstered by headgear, Caloundra product Noy has come through Talara Primary College and is a young weapon at both codes of rugby.
Bodhi Boehme
A 15As player for Toowoomba Grammar, Boehme is a fast and athletic player who looks dangerous with ball in hand.
Cai Banfield
Out of the rugby league hotbed of Ignatius Park College, Banfield is a long-striding fullback with height, footwork and pace.
He glides from sideline to sideline.
Darnel Taki
A Sunnybank Dragons junior currently at Brisbane State High School, Taki plays flanker but could play anywhere in the backrow.
Denan Anderson
Innisfail State College’s Denan Anderson is a forward leader who plays open side flanker.
The captain of his club team the Cassowary Coast Chargers and the North Queensland Under 14 rep side.
Flynn Corbett
Souths Magpie Corbett is a centre or even fly half who can kick goals from as far as 50 metres out.
He attends Brisbane State High School.
Harry Cohen
One of several Ipswich Grammar students who were selected in the SEQ Under 15s side at the Emerging Reds Cup.
A backrower, Cohen can do it all and signifies an exciting time for the Ipswich Grammar rugby program.
Isaac Kefu
A quick-thinking scrumhalf with a great pass and better running game.
The son of Queensland Reds great Toutai Kefu attends Brisbane Boys’ College.
James Hannan
Lock Hannan is a Brothers junior who currently attends rugby stronghold Nudgee College.
Jesse Jones
St John’s Nambour blindside flanker Jesse Jones is dynamic, agile and a Maroochydore Swans junior.
Kane Shedlock
A Flinders rugby club (Buderim) junior now at Brisbane Boys’ College, Shedlock is a fierce flanker learning the tricks of the trade with the GPS Gallopers at Yoku road.
Locklyn Thomas
Kirwan SHS Queensland Schoolboy (rugby league) Thomas is a big body who most will find hard to bring down.
He is a tryscoring machine and made the move from Burdekin Catholic College to Kirwan High in 2023 to further his skills at one of the nations best rugby league schools.
He loves his rugby too.
Luke van der Nist
An Easts junior, the young tight-head plays for the BBC 15As.
Malachi Figota
The Sunnybank Dragons No. 8 had a strong Emerging Reds Cup campaign and has been rewarded with selection in the Academy.
Once he has his feet set, Churchie student Figota is almost unstoppable at the breakdown.
his brother Micah, a winger, is also very talented.
Rohan Clancy
A backrower from Gregory Terrace who has power through the hips and can make a strong tackle.
Rupeni Baravilala
A Toowoomba Bears junior, Baraviala is a big boy with fear factor.
The Toowoomba Grammar student from Maryborough State High plays in the back row and is also a junior rugby league rep for the Wide Bay Bulls Connell Challenge team.
Samu Nomani
The Woree State High School No. 8 returned for his second year of Emerging Reds Cup action this year and as captain of the Regional under 15s, he led with his crash runs and physical presence.
Si’u Pulepule
A Coomera Crushers junior now playing for the Logan Saints and attending high-achieving rugby league school Marsden SHS.
Taione Taka
An inside centre, Taka attends BBC and plays club rugby a Sylvan road for the mighty Wests Bulldogs.
Tom Wood
We don’t know much about Wood but he is under good coaches at Churchie and GPS rugby club.
Tristan Auelua
14-year-old tighthead prop Auelua is a 179cm, 96kg wrecking ball who carved up junior rugby for North Lakes.
The Queenland School Sport Met West select attends BBC and plays club rugby for Brothers now.
Tyrece Herniman
He played junior club rugby for Sunnybank and school footy with Brisbane State High and this year as a Met East rugby league rep.
Visesio Kite
His dad is a champion coach who guided the GPS Gallopers to a cherished colts 1 premiership in 2021 so he has a good mentor.
A GPS junior who couldn’t be stopped, Kite plays tighthed prop and will be pushing for First XV selection next year at Churchie.
Jack Calleja
Calleja is a promising backrow talent from Ipswich Grammar who was one of the best forwards at the Emerging Reds Cup this year along with schoolmate Lane Edmonds.
Rhymen Tusi
Powerful and quick, this No.8 from TGS is elite. He stood out like a sore thumb at the Emerging Reds Cup, scored arguably the try of the tournament and could play in the centres.
Bond Bradley
The Nudgee fly half is a classy customer. He is tallish, has a big kick and is strong defensively.
He was the chief in charge of Nudgee’s 15As premiership campaign.
Miki Toquero
A lightning fast winger whose turn of speed is deadly.
From Good Counsel College in Innisfail.
Other Academy talents include Harrison Humphrys (TGS), Harry Bate (Nudgee), Jeremiah Harbottle (IGS), Keegan Cook (King’s Christian College),Manasa Vunibola (BSHS), Ruben Kruger (TGS), Alfie Bowman (Churchie), Dylan Terblanche (TSS), Harper Enasio (BGS), Isaac Fidock (King’s Christian College), Kobi Nouanrasy (King’s Christian College), Leo Fanuatanu (Marist College Emerald), Malakaih Beals (BSHS), Oliver Kennedy (All Saints Anglican School), Pierre Poluleuligaga (Nudgee).
FAST FACTS
Here are the Queensland Reds’ top 10 try scorers of all time:
Chris Latham – 66 tries
Digby Ioane – 42 tries
Rod Davies – 39 tries
Peter Slattery – 38 tries
Chris Feauai-Sautia – 37 tries
Caleb Timu – 34 tries
Daniel Herbert – 33 tries
Scott Higginbotham – 31 tries
Samu Kerevi – 30 tries
Jason Little – 29 tries
Here is the list of the 10 youngest Queensland Reds debutants, including the number of games each player played for the team:
Jordan Petaia – 18 years, 325 days (2018) – 40 games (as of Feb 21, 2023)
Maurice Boyle – 18 years, 308 days (1987) – 11 games
Daniel Herbert – 18 years, 352 days (1992) – 86 games
Quade Cooper – 18 years, 302 days (2007) – 128 games
Ben Tune – 18 years, 4 months (1996) – 104 games
Will Genia – 19 years, 14 days (2007) – 114 games
Scott Higginbotham – 19 years, 123 days (2006) – 102 games
Peter McLean – 19 years, 175 days (1995) – 15 games
Tasi Luafutu – 19 years, 262 days (2004) – 57 games
Samu Kerevi – 19 years, 308 days (2014) – 67 games
SCORING RECORDS
Leading point scorer in a career – Michael Lynagh (1,145 points, 1982–1994)
Leading point scorer in a season – Quade Cooper (228 points, 2011)
Leading try scorer in a career – Brendan Moon (69 tries, 1978–1987)
Leading try scorer in a season – Brendan Moon (16 tries, 1978)
Most appearances – Sean Hardman (148, 1999–2010)
Most capped captain – James Horwill (69, 2006–2015)
Largest victory – Victoria 76–0 (1978)
Largest defeat – Bulls 3–92 (2007)
CAPTAINS SINCE THE START OF THE PROFESSIONAL ERA (1996)
Tim Horan (1996–1997)
David Wilson (1998–1999)
John Eales (2000–2001)
Daniel Herbert (2002–2003)
Toutai Kefu (2003)
Elton Flatley (2004–2005)
John Roe (2006–2008)
Sam Cordingley (2008)
James Horwill (2008–2014)
Berrick Barnes (2009) Replaced injured James Horwill.
Will Genia (2010–2013) Replaced injured James Horwill.
Quade Cooper (2013) Match against touring British & Irish Lions.
James Slipper (2015–2017)
Rob Simmons (2016) Replaced injured James Slipper.
Liam Gill (2016) Replaced injured James Slipper.
Stephen Moore (2017) Replaced injured James Slipper.
Samu Kerevi (2017) Replaced injured James Slipper.
Scott Higginbotham (2018)
Samu Kerevi (2019)
Liam Wright (2020–)
James O’Connor (2021) Replaced injured Liam Wright
Tate McDermott (2022 –) Co-Captain with Liam Wright
TWO UNFORGETTABLE TRIES
THE BEST TRY CELEBRATION
OR
BIGGEST WHAT IF?
SPEED DEMON
See more here.
CLUTCHEST TRIES IN RECENT HISTORY
James O’Connor after the siren to win the title.
Jordan Petaia Special in The Capital.
KICK TRY BRILLIANCE
FEEL GOOD MOMENT
Alec Evans Medallist Connor Anderson getting rewarded with a two-year contract.
Watch now: Mabel Park v Marsden, Walters Cup
It’s going to be a special day for Mabel Park on Wednesday when they play on school grounds for only the second time. Catch the games LIVE against Marsden from 1pm.
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Revealed: GPS First V basketball’s best new faces
The most impressive new faces contesting the GPS First V basketball premiership includes a Year 10 student from Churchie so athletically gifted he was previously selected in an AFL Academy. Read more here.
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