Nod for Nudgee College boys to ignite winning vibe for Queensland Reds U16 team

The Queensland Reds U16 and U19 young guns are back in business this weekend for round three of the National Championships. See what super subs have been injected into the mix.

The future of the Nudgee College First XV rugby team will be on show on Sunday when the Queensland Reds U16s play in Canberra.

The next wave of Nudgee talent will run out for the U16s wearing jersey No.8 through to No.13 when the boys in maroon look to taste victory for the first time in the tournament.

Tackling the ACT Brumbies U16s in round 3 of the National Rugby Championships is the perfect chance to atone for a first-up loss to a fierce New South Wales Waratahs team.

The junior Waratahs came away convincing 32-3 winners.

On Sunday, the Reds will face the Brumbies, who are coming off a 51-10 loss at the hands of the impressive Waratahs in round 2.

The U19s, who lost to NSW by the skin of their teeth in round 1, 29-26, will come up against a Brumbies outfit looking to bounce back following a 55-15 battering by the ‘Tahs.

Charlie O'Connell in action during round 1.

The Nudgee boys lacing up for the U16s are:

No.8: John Grenfall, a work horse and scrum weapon

Halfback: Samuel Watson, sneaky with great service

Flyhalf: Charlie O’Connell, a crafty young No.10 who has it all.

Winger: James Duggan, speedy and strong on defence.

Inside centre: Ryan Heaton, a great line runner who is strong into contact

Outside centre: Prestyn Laine-Sietu, a powerful runner with a sharp step.

Prestyn Laine-Setu of Nudgee College.

Central Queensland product Trace Beattie will don jersey No.15 which is a just reward for the fearless youngster who shone in the Emerging Reds Cup with his gutsy cover defence.

Queensland Reds Head of Talent Management Paul Carozza said: “We want to make sure everyone has a start. Anyone that didn’t start against the ‘Tahs starts here. Players are still competing for spots for later in the tournament.

“Boys like Ryan Heaton and Charlie O’Connell didn’t start the first one so they are in for this one. Prestyn didn’t play the first game.

“The Nudgee combination should help with the performance, but the team wasn’t selected based on the strategy of having them from the same school.

“Everyone earned their spot, but there’s still plenty of competition left for the rest of the tournament,” Carozza said.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips after coming agonising close in round 1.

In the U19s, not much has changed from their impressive round 1 hit out where at half time they were sitting pretty up 19-3.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Taj Annan will play flyhalf and inside centre respectively which worked a charm in game one of the tournament.

Annan acted as a second ball player which brought speedy Reds backs Tim Ryan, Jackson Connelly and Jack Hussey into the action.

A few speedy Queensland Reds backs.

It will be two weeks since the U16s and U19s played but they’ll be buzzing to get into the winners’ circle.

Carozza said:” I think the U19s played well in round 1. I’m certain those boys are itching to get back out there. They played great footy in a tight loss so they’ll be keen to win.”

Carozza said although every team wants to win, he thinks the National Rugby Championship is more than that.

“It shows young rugby players there’s plenty to aspire to and that there’s a clear pathway to the Junior Wallabies, Australian U18s—a pathway to higher levels.

“If you’re an U16 player you’re hoping to make U18 Reds and an U19, Junior Wallabies. Every team wants to win but there’s a lot of positives coming out of this tournament.