Keep an eye on these rugby union schoolboys this season
Meet 40 rugby union schoolboys we can’t wait to see play in either the GPS First XV or the AIC First XV competitions this season.
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Here’s 40 schoolboy rugby players we can’t wait to see on the field again this season.
From both the GPS and AIC competitions, most of these boys have either played First XV, or who will be knocking on the door to play at the highest level for their respective schools.
Some old favourites like Macarius Pereira (Nudgee College), Franckie Goldsborough (Churchie), Tom Robinson (Terrace) and Tom Howard (Marist College Ashgrove) and Billy Wellard (TSS) head the list, but watch for a new batch of kids we have been monitoring.
So here they are, xx rugby rookies we are dying to see on the field this year.
Rocco Gollings (Nudgee)
Gollings is a thrilling prospect who will be so much better for the experience of last season when he was thrown into the starting side following two season ending injuries to Nudgee outside backs. He is a footballer, a natural outside back with flair and pace and anticipation. The grandstand will rock when Rocco touches the ball.
Nixon Pasese and Carter Welfare (both Nudgee)
Although only 16, the boys will be in contention for First XI selection at the powerhouse Nudgee College. Pasese is a dynamic back rower or lock with great footwork and hands. He also thumps in defence. Welfare is a boarder from the Yeppoon region who plays halves. He is a very exciting talent whom if we don’t see in the Firsts this season, mark him down for 2024. Nudgee also have another 16-year-old floating around – winger Cooper McInnerney.
John Grenfell (Nudgee)
On first glance young No.8 powerhouse John Grenfell resembles Gregory Terrace Old Boy and the Queensland reds beloved Harry Wilson.
Although he isn’t quite as tall, he has a similar build, game style and work ethic. One thing is for sure, unlike Wilson, he doesn’t devour 12 eggs for breakfast.
Princeton Ioane (Nudgee)
Front row destructor Princeton Ioane gave his side great depth. Ioane is a fierce competitor who has a work rate unlike many forwards out there — just wait and see. One of five Queenslanders with U16s Australian Development Squad honours.
Prestyn Laine-Sietu (Nudgee)
Like his Nudgee College teammate Princeton Ioane, Laine-Sietu was also an U16s Australian Development Squad select after coming to life in the National Championships late last year.
During the Championships, Queensland Reds Under 16s coach Simon Cribe described him as an “outstanding talent” with a “great skill set.”
“No one can stop Prestyn from 15m out … He’s an exceptional footballer.”
Macarius Pereira (Nudgee College)
Well look who is back for his third season of First XV. A fabulous prop, Pereira is one and a quarter players, so well rounded is he. A mobile prop, he offers everything imaginable around the field for a tight forward and is a great asset to the side. He made our News Corp 2021 Team of the Season and finished the season in the Firsts after missing half the competition due to injury. Watch for another returning First XV player – talented half Maddox McLean.
Ryan Heaton (Nudgee)
Heaton’s forte is carving up the middle and with his elusive ball carrying, breaking past the first defender. The mouth waters in anticipation of him being paired with Laine-Sietu in the centres.
Samuel Watson (Nudgee)
Mark this young scrumhalf down for the future. He has a great brain for the game and will be an asset to the open system in 2023.
Max Blanch (Churchie)
We watched the clever Blanch in a man of the match performance for Met East during the Queensland rugby 15-16 years trials late last year which left us wanting to see more. Also a Queensland No.9 representative in rugby league and a Brisbane Tigers player, Blanch is an impressive rugby centre in his age group.
Franike Goldsbrough (Churchie)
Arguably the best centre in the GPS competition, Queensland Reds contracted Frankie Goldsbrough comes into the season with even more room to shine now that his Australian Schoolboy centre partner Dre Pakeho has graduated.
Last year, the pair of them complimented each other like olives and red wine as they kicked, fended and stepped their way to a shared premiership.
Goldsborough has a destructive running game, but his defence impacts games as much as anything.
Diamond Fifita (Churchie)
Fifita tag-teamed in the front row with Willie-Jawal in a GPS premiership winning performance outfit. He is a thumping ball running forward, sweeping in the lineout and adding expertise to the Churchie rolling maul.
Emil Willie-Jawai (Churchie)
Willie-Jawai is a bulldozing young prop who will be rampaging over defenders this year in Churchie colours. Watch out for Churchie’s front row scrummaging machines.
Tom Robinson (Terrace)
Did anyone grow as much on and off the field in 2022 than Tom Robinson? Surely not.
He went from strength to strength in the GPS competition before being a lineout weapon for the Queensland Reds U16 side every game in the National Championships.
And there are no questions as to his commitment to the team, proven by his willingness to play on after getting a nasty head knock when giving his all in a tackle.
Fa’apale Feaunati (Terrace)
While you won’t see Feaunati in the First XV just yet, Terrace supporters should be excited to have this mobile lock or back rower coming through the system. Tall and powerful, he is also gifted and athletic. A nice prospect.
Samson Tuqiri (BBC)
The son of the great Lote Tuqiri will strap on the boots again in the First XV and if that’s not something to get excited about then we don’t know what is.
We expect the fleet footed winger will be back better than ever chasing kicks and slicing and dicing down the edge.
Jamie Alexander (BBC)
Alexander’s leadership will be just one weapon he arms his side with this year, his speed, cross-field vision and service all a staple of his game.
The College captain and Queensland Under 17 cricketer will come into the season directly after carrying the load for his school’s First XI.
Daniel Malum (BBC)
A member of the BBC backline babes of 2022, Malum is a thrill-a-second fullback with natural flair. Such is the strength of the BBC squad across the back division this year, none of the rookies blooded in 2022 have a mortgage on a starting position in 2023. But Malum has such class that we expect him to bubble to the surface and thrill BBC supporters during the winter months.
Xavier Rubens (BBC)
It was round 1 of the 2022 GPS season when centre Xavier Rubens caught a pop pass at the halfway line and blitzed his way through the Brisbane State High defence to ignite a roar on Miskin Oval.
More of that please.
Avery Thomson (BBC)
Thomson bolsters the large group of BBC boys returning for another year in the First XV and with his lineout dominance, he will prove invaluable in that green and black forward pack.
Another Under 16s Australian Development squad select who would have to be primed for a big season. Also watch for a rookie called Tyler Mayberry who played several First XV games as a Year 10 student.
Tauave Leofa (BSHS)
Leofa got unlucky with playing time in the National Championships but we saw just how crafty the backline utility can be.
His kicking game is out of this world as is his composure in the face of rushing defence.
Netani Lesimaikimatuku (BSHS)
From either front foot ball or in counter attack, watch for inside centre Lesimaikimatuku to link midfield with the gifted No.10 Leofa. It will be red alert time for opposition defences.
Bailey Trew (BSHS)
At either outside centre or fullback, the tall, long striding Trew will be a tremendous asset to the BSHS First XV squad. His power running game will take some stopping, while he will challenge opposing outside backs with strong defence.
Moses Manu (BSHS)
Manu will be the First XV forward leader after being blooded in the top grade in 2021. Manu is a tremendously gifted tight forward, a thumping runner who competes hard in the tight. BSHS will be looking to gain parity to unleash Leofa, Lesimaikimatuku and Takave this season, and in Manu they have a fabulous starting point. He will have some help upfront, with
Dirhys Sefo, who missed last season through injury, a massive addition along with the very reliable Jack Gordon.
Ewald Kruger (TGS)
Kruger joined Toowoomba schoolmate Chace Oates in the Under 16s Australian Development squad last year after impressing in the National Championships. Coach Simon Craig spoke highly of the “reliable” and outstanding young No.2 who “plays that that perfect hookers role.” “So reliable. He’s outstanding. He has a bright future … Abrasive, brilliant in the set piece, and wins the ball by a country mile with his tacking,” Craig said. Kruger, like Oates, is also a First XI cricketer who recently to six wickets in an innings.
Chace Oates (TGS)
Another one of our favourites is this young star from Toowoomba Grammar, who comes from a rich family tree of rugby talent.
Most notably is cousin and Brisbane Bronco Corey Oates and older brother Kye Oates, a Hospital Cup Premiership winner with the University of Queensland in Queensland Rugby’s first grade competition as well as an Australian Rugby Sevens player, having made his debut in 2022.
Chace, who is also a very talented cricketer, took a step up last year with U16s Australian Development Squad honours after shining in the GPS and National Championships.
Shannon Simpson (BGS)
Simpson was an exciting effort player last year showing plenty of pace, but more importantly, lots of desire. His impact will be added by good players such as prop Rowan Tong-Law and lock Will Pascoe who were returning First XI players.
Billy Wellard (TSS)
A fired up flanker who carries the ball strongly into contact. Wellard will be a key component of the TSS forward pack who will be led around the park by blonde-haired Tom Goldie.
Tom Goldie (TSS)
A fast-thinking, chirpy customer who is rather tall for a scrumhalf.
Goldie, a second year First XV player, will have an enlarged role for his side this year and if he plays anything like he did in the National Championships, the backline will get good service, the scrum will scrimmage and not one quick lineout will be conceded. There will be a bit of a changing of the guard TSS this year, but Goldie will have returning First XV players Spencer Alcock (No.10), outside centre Mason King and outside back Cooper Nelson back to show him the ropes.
Jackson Conner (Villanova College)
A very talented sportsman who is currently playing in the Villa AIC AFL side, while also being an outstanding league player. Jackson played in the First XV last season as a Year 10 student and we were excited to watch him go around this year.
Blaze Moana (TSS)
An excellent young hooker who we expect to see dotting over plenty of times during the GPS rugby season as he latches onto the back of the rolling maul. Making his first XV debut in just year 10, Moana possesses endless potential.
Amare Milford (TSS)
Joint premiership winners The Southport School may have lost the outstanding Nick Hilton from No.8, but they will still field one of the strongest back rows in competition with Milford joining flanker Wellard. Throw hard working lock Fergus Gillan into the mix and TSS is in good hands up front.
Charlie O’Connell (Nudgee)
O’Connell is a crafty fly half who although is on the smaller side, doesn’t back down and uses it to his advantage.
He penetrates gaps in the defence with his super off the mark acceleration, and after an extra long rugby season in 2022 which concluded with National Championships duties with the Queensland Reds Under 16s, Nudgee rugby director Sean Graham has him in his First XV training squad.
Cameron Bukowski (Villa)
We just cannot wait to see Villanova College Year 12 Cameron Bukowski rip in for his final year in school colours during the First XV season. The rugby league gun who recently signed a development contract with the Brisbane Broncos is returning for his third year in the Firsts, although he missed the entirety of last season due to injury.
Byron Murphy (St Laurence’s College)
Here’s a handy player to be a returning First XV footballer. A premiership winning loosehead prop who played all matches across Laurie’s unbeaten season last year, money can’t buy the experience he gained in the premiership competition, and then playing for Met East. Another familiar face will be flanker Ben Davis who will assume a leadership role.
Tom Nadenic (St Laurence’s College)
Two-time premiership winner Joe is now an old boy, but the name lives on at St Laurence’s through his younger brother Tom. Also a loose forward, he played a couple of matches in the Firsts of the bench last year. He is bigger than his older brother.
Jack Tuite (St Laurence’s)
St Laurence’s College has lost its backline battleship – Mikael Ibrahim – but have no fear, Jack Tuite is here. An inside centre, he gained experience in the Firsts when Ibrahim was out injured and is set to make the No.12 his position in 2023. Also keep an eye on No.10-fullback Finn Mackay, a National Championship under 16 player with the Rebels, and Sam Benham, who has played in the Emerging Reds Cup.
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 watch for him at either fullback or in the midfield this season. After playing in a battling Marist side last season, Howard flourished during the end of season National Championships.
Jasper Barry (Marist College Ashgrove)
The Brisbane Broncos signed Barry is a brute who will give Ashgrove a huge boost this year in the forward pack. He plays for the Norths Devils, but that didn’t stop him from leaving defenders in his wake for the Queensland Reds Under 16s late last year in the National Championships.
Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki (Eddies’)
This list isn’t complete without cheeky halfback Falaniko Ah-Ki, an unearthed talent from the resurgent Eddies’ last year.
He is quick, smart, not afraid to take the line on and a great leader.
Treyvon Pritchard (St Peters)
We will be keeping an eye on this youngster as he looks to fill the shoes of older brother Kadin in the St Peters First XV.
The Year 11 has plenty of speed on the wing and if he’s anything like his older brother, he will produce magic one way or another each Saturday.
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