PLAYERS TO WATCH: 30+ exciting GPS rugby rookies to keep an eye on this season
GPS First XV rugby: Who were the Players to Watch this season? More than 30 schoolboys earmarked as excitement machines here. FULL LIST
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Buckle your seat belts - the start of the GPS First XV rugby season is closing fast as all schools finalise preparations ahead of round 1.
Brisbane Boys College will have to cool their jets for one extra week after being drawn as the round 1 bye.
But it will be action stations for everyone else in a competition which looms as the closest in seasons.
RELATED LINKS
GPS RUGBY PLAYERS TO WATCH 2022
GPS RUGBY TEAM OF THE SEASON 2022
GPS RUGBY PLAYERS TO WATCH 2023
GPS RUGBY TEAM OF THE SEASON 2023
Round 1, July 13:
Churchie v BGS
BSHS v Toowoomba Grammar School
The Southport School v Terrace
Ipswich Grammar School v Nudgee
Bye: BBC
We’ll give our pre-season prediction closer to kick off, but for the moment lets cast our eyes over more than 30 players who will lead the charge for their respective teams.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kilarney Lavender (TSS)
What a comeback Lavender has had returning from an ACL injury sustained in 2022.
He is a wonderful athletic talent who earned promotion into the Reds under-16s after a strong season with The Southport School in 2023.
He then revved up for the 2024 rugby season by scoring tries for fun playing rugby league with the Burleigh Bears. Indeed the Canberra Raiders scholarship holder was a damaging second rower in the Connell Cup Under-17s representative rugby league competition.
You get the gist, the Year 11 rugby centre can play.
Kingsley Uys (TSS)
Kingsley Uys, a Reds signed Year 11 student of South African heritage, was a powerhouse in last year’s competition and returns this year bigger, faster and stronger with Reds Under-18s and Australian Under-16s experience.
In a college which has a history of producing elite rugby players, Uys is certainly an exciting prop prospect.
Tom Goldie (TSS)
We predict TSS’ scrumhalf Tom Goldie will be the best halfback in the competition, alongside returning Nudgee senior Sam Watson.
Now in Year 12, Goldie is match hardened after playing his second season of First XV rugby last year and his communication, IQ, kicking game and service could be a class above.
Jacob Johnson (Nudgee)
We sung his praises last year at fullback and Nudgee will be premiership contenders again this season with him beginning the counter attack.
With light footwork, eyes up vision, a good clearance kick and just a solid all around game, Johnson will be a key player in Nudgee’s backline again.
Opposition teams need to watch for his broken field running where his agility and pace can find the smallest of gaps. He made our GPS Team of the Season last year.
John Grenfall (Nudgee)
The barnstorming utility forward bided his time in the Second XV last year, stuck behind good ones in Oliver Barrett, Hugo Hart, Noah Rauluni and Sam Hyne.
But this year it is his time. A senior, Grenfall made the Queensland Reds Under-16s in 2022 as a No. 8, but the promising Nudgee boarder from Central Queensland could feature in the front row.
Charlie O’Connell (Nudgee)
Used as a spark plug off the bench in last year’s team, exciting Year 12 playmaker Charlie O’Connell has been earmarked as a player of considerable potential.
He isn’t the tallest or biggest out there, but that works in his favour. In the Seconds last year, O’Connell kicked goals, was a running threat and great support player.
Expect more of the same this year.
Nicholas Conway (Nudgee)
With his debut season out of the way, Nudgee outside back Conway will be a senior player in the squad this season, particularly given an early injury to centre Prestyn Laine-Sietu.
Conway swept to four tries on debut last season, and will be another go to player in the backline this year. If his surname sounds familiar, it should be - dad Bob was an outstanding First XV player.
Oliver Nasser (Terrace)
The son of former Wallaby Brendan and the younger brother of Wallabies squad member Josh and high-flying Aussie 7s bulldozer Bella Nasser, Oliver is of great rugby pedigree.
But it was his ability on the paddock which earned him selection in the Reds Under-16s side last year, which has primed him to lead the Terrace forward pack this season.
Sam McGahan (Terrace)
A quality playmaker, Sam McGahan missed out on Reds Under-16s selection last year simply because of the competition in Finn Mackay (St Laurence’s flyhalf), who went on to make the Australian Under-16s.
McGahan was good enough to make it (Queensland) and this year, his second year in the First XV, his deft short kicking game, crisp passing and vision will bring the best out of his brother Joe McGahan (wing) and prolific midfielder Connor Clifford.
Connor Clifford (Terrace)
An out and out footballer, Clifford was a prolific try scorer at last year’s Reds Emerging Cup. He is no giant, but he has rugby IQ, footwork and the running lines to work nicely off No.10 Sam McGahan.
He is a part of an exciting crop as Terrace continue its rugby revival this decade.
Fletcher Austin (Churchie)
Churchie should be right there in the top bracket of teams again this season with returning speedster Fletcher Austin.
A capable wing, fullback or flyhalf, Austin was a key player in Churchie’s backline last season and now in his last year of schooling, he holds the keys for an exciting backline featuring Max Blanch (inside centre), Treyvon Pritchard (fullback) and of course Hugh Rylance (scrumhalf).
Max Blanch (Churchie)
Max Blanch will be a building block for the Churchie First XV midfield with his thirst for contact sure to be a crash hit this season.
A defensive hardman with tremendous leadership qualities, Blanch was a Reds Under-16s selection last season and will hit the ground running after a quality campaign earlier in the season with the Brisbane Tigers rugby league side where he played hooker.
Treyvon Pritchard (Churchie)
The walking definition of a player to watch, athletic fullback Treyvon Pritchard will embark on his first and last season of GPS First XV rugby.
A Kiwi with African heritage, Pritchard played some First XV rugby for St Peters in the AIC competition as a Year 10 in 2022 before last year showing his natural talent as the Australian Under-16 fullback.
He is a broken play king.
Dyer Akauola (Brisbane Grammar)
Destructive big man Dyer Akauola will get a taste of First XV rugby this season in a new era for Brisbane Grammar rugby under new coach Tim Court, the former Irish international and Reds forward.
Akauola plays as a prop forward in rugby league but will play in the back row for his school where his sheer size and strength will be easy to see through the middle of the field.
Max Romer (Brisbane Grammar)
A youngster in this side, Max Romer was a classy inside back with good footwork and the full package.
Impressive with his kicking, running and passing, Romer will be Akauola’s partner in crime through the midfield.
Zac Reader (Brisbane Grammar)
Brisbane Grammar School’s captain, Zac Reader is both a leader, captain goal kicker and a No.10 who will be at the steering wheel for Grammar.
Charlie Bird (Brisbane Boys’ College)
Cairns conductor Charlie Bird was classy last year at fullback for BBC but this year has a more prominent role directing traffic at flyhalf.
The Wests Bulldogs boy who played rugby league in Far North Queensland for the Ivanhoes, Bird has a well rounded game which could see him score the points with his goalkicking and assist on tries scored with his crisp playmaking ability.
Frank Howarth (Brisbane Boys’ College)
The Howarth name lives on at BBC, with Frank Howarth the younger brother of Melbourne Storm edge forward Jack Howarth.
There are plenty of similarities in their games, such as their damaging ability with the ball.
But Frank is even bigger, making him an enormous threat in the centres.
Gray O’Neill (Brisbane Boys’ College)
It is hard to describe how good Gray O’Neill played for the Queensland Reds Under-16s last year in the National Championships but if he plays like that BBC will be difficult to beat.
The smart flanker was everywhere in that campaign, winning lineouts, stealing ball, scoring tries and moving quickly from A to B where he showed up on the defensive end.
Watch for the headgeared flanker to make the right reads.
Ryder Koia (Brisbane Boys’ College)
BBC will be an entertaining squad to watch this year with No.8 Kiama Jione, flyhalf Charlie Bird and winger Ryder Koia.
Koia is a finisher, someone who could really flourish given the talent of his inside men.
But Koia also loves the physical aspect of the game so he is a real wildcard capable of anything this season.
Stan Keats (Brisbane Boys’ College)
A fullback or wing in last year’s team, Stan Keats will play scrumhalf for BBC, continuing a fine tradition after Jamie Alexander and James Martens were the best two halfbacks in last year’s competition.
Keats is not the biggest or strongest, but his IQ, vision, and speed around the ruck is unmatched.
He has a low mistake rate.
Brock Coombes (Ipswich Grammar)
Ipswich Grammar will have plenty of attacking flare and finesse with gutsy Year 11 wing Brock Coombes returning for another year.
Last season Coombes was an elite finisher with a turn of speed and his workrate and communication will be easy to see for Ipswich Grammar this season.
Amaziah Murgha (Ipswich Grammar)
An Indigenous Year 12 boarder hailing from the sporting rich Yarrabah region in Cairns, Amaziah Murgha is a prolific tryscorer with the ability to break open a game.
A Roosters signed outside back who played for the Ipswich Jets Under-19s earlier this year, Murgha ran in a competition high (tied with Moses Manu) nine tries in 2023 after scoring five tries in his first two games against TSS and Nudgee.
He made our GPS First XV Team of the Season last year. You can’t miss him.
Finn Kendall (Ipswich Grammar)
Another returning player from last year’s outfit, Broncos Academy ace Finn Kendall was a hard working outside centre with speed, anticipation and a will on defence.
Another Ipswich Jets representative player, Kendall will use last year’s experience as a springboard into this year’s season where he will be a leader.
Tyson Walker (Ipswich Grammar)
The brother of Roosters playmaker Sam, curly haired Year 11 student Tyson was following in his footsteps and also signed by the Sydney glamour club.
Tyson is a pass-first playmaker, someone who creates for others but can also create for himself.
Watch for his short kicking game.
William Parmenter (Ipswich Grammar)
A tremendous athlete and outstanding fast bowler who earlier in the year made our GPS First XV Team of the Season, fast bowler Parmenter has turned his attention back to rugby where he has been a representative player in the Emerging Reds Cup.
A mobile front rower, he is so highly regarded by the IGS community that he was the First XI captain and will be the First XV rugby skipper as well.
Myles Rosemond (Toowoomba Grammar)
A revelation at last year’s Emerging Reds Cup staged at Ballymore, Brothers Townsville junior Myles Rosemond was a quicksilver outside back with raw talent.
Making the switch from rugby league finishing school Ignatius Park College to TGS this year, Rosemond’s pink boots and curly blonde hair will catch your eye right before his quick off the mark acceleration is promptly brought to your attention.
Joey Gray (Toowoomba Grammar)
Toowoomba Grammar will be right there in the premiership race again, and one of the players leading the charge will be flanker Joey Gray.
Incredible over the ball and a great link man for his backs, Gray was the best in the business pilfering the ball last year and had soft hands unloading to and setting free his teammates.
He made our GPS Team of the Season last year.
Azariah Toki-Mautairi (Toowoomba Grammar)
Another like Rosemond (mentioned above) who has found himself in the boarding dorms at TGS this year.
Signed by the Bulldogs, Azariah Toki-Mautairi played in the Harold Matthews Under-17s competition in New South Wales earlier this year and was at Wavell SHS last year.
If you see Rosemond and Toki-Mautairi going well it will be because of their crafty flyhalf Iliesa Baravilala.
Trent Picot (Brisbane State High)
Brisbane State High also enter a new era for the rugby program under new coaches Toutai and Steve Kefu this year and their side will be spearheaded by no-nonsense flanker Trent Picot.
A Brisbane Tigers Connell Cup young gun, Picot played Queensland Under-16s last season and his actions on the field, on defence and close to the line will do all the talking.
Seamus Boakes and Paddy McInally (Brisbane State High)
After defeating eventual premiers Nudgee at home last season, BSHS will be primed to deliver more big results this year, with finishers Semus Boakes and Paddy McInally crucial to the success of the squad.
Boakes was the school’s finest Second XV player in 2023 while McInally made an impression as an outside back.
McInally is the son of Damian, a former Souths premiership winner and Queensland Reds and Brumbies winger who also played seven-a-side for Australia.
Eli Langi (Brisbane State High)
In a season of close call losses, Langi stood like a pillar through it all in 2023 and he will return this season as captain and forward leader of the BSHS First XV.
He is a seriously good player who last year we placed in the top 30 players of the competition.
Cyrus Suniala (Brisbane State High)
He is last, but certainly not least. Here’s an exciting Year 11 hooker or prop who earlier this season played for Sunnybank’s Colts 1 side as a 16-year-old - a huge achievement in the high class under-20 competition.
Round 2, July 20:
BBC v BSHS
Terrace v Churchie
Toowoomba Grammar School v Ipswich Grammar School
Nudgee v The Southport School
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