Power rankings, 50 top players ranked for Club Rugby Colts 1, Premier Women’s competitions
Club rugby power rankings: How your club’s colts 1 and women’s teams have shaped up according to our exclusive power rankings - along with the 50 top players glimpsed in the opening six rounds. SEE THE LISTS
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We’re just one third of the way into the club rugby colts 1 and women’s season for 2023 and already we have seen some teams separate themselves from the rest on top of some stunning individual performances.
And following the opening six rounds of colts, we have listed our team rankings as well as the 50 key players so far this year.
Brothers (25 points) and Easts (24) sit atop the Colts 1 ladder while Sunnybank (24), GPS and Uni (20) are premier women’s competition leaders.
See our first power rankings for this season along with the coach’s top players picks below.
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CLUB RUGBY POWER RANKINGS
COLTS 1
1. BROTHERS
Dominant would be the word to describe how Brothers have come out of the gates this season.
After the disappointment of missing the grand final last year due to the boot of Taj Annan, Greg Beaver’s team have come out firing winning their opening five games comfortably, with five bonus points to show.
Despite the losses of Harry Grant, Tim Ryan and Hunter Lim, Brothers have established themselves, like they did last year, as the early favourites and claim top spot on our power rankings following five brilliant victories.
+ 38-3 over Sunnybank
+ 45-19 over Bond Uni
+ 43-15 over Norths
+ 26-12 over Uni
+ 31-0 over GPS
Key players:
Rory Beech and Malakai Taulani (props)
It all starts upfront and Brothers have one of the best in the business in Beech who looks forward to scrums like most look forward to a summer holiday at the beach. Taulani is one of the most improving players in the competition, with his work away from the set piece a feature.
Oliver Harvey (flanker)
If you were handing out prizes for consistency, Harvey would be walking around with a gold star pinned to his shirt front. He has come from the school of hard knocks and knows what it takes to win a premiership this season.
Kadin Pritchard (centre)
A St Peters Lutheran College alumni, Pritchard is one of the babies of the competition. But his talent shines through and the best is yet to come from this valuable outside back who can also play fullback with ease.
2. EASTS
They have had one blemish against GPS but even with that upset, the reigning premiers have fought through to record five wins, including a come-from-behind win against Souths on Saturday.
Tyrell Barker’s side lost a gem in Taj Annan (Queensland Reds promotion) but they still had a number of exciting prospects returning.
With Jarrod Homan at the forefront, the Tigers have outgunned Sunnybank (45-22), Bond Uni (8-3), Norths (36-17), UQ (22-17) - who they shared premiership spoils with last year and Souths (40-21).
With Kaileb Crothers and Nick Bloomfield leading the way in the front row, and Tom Twaddell in the back row, Easts are a force to be reckoned with and as such claim second spot on our power rankings following their superb start.
Key players:
Kaileb Crothers (prop)
Bloomfield’s right hand man who makes opposing front rowers wish they’d opted for a lineout not scrum.
Nick Bloomfield (prop)
After a year of firsts for Bloomfield in 2022 where Australian Schoolboys and Queensland Under 19 selection saw his game go to another level, Bloomfield has proved it was no flash in the pan.
Jarrod Homan (outside back)
Homan keeps getting better and better. Whether it’s the fact his best mate Taj Annan is making inroads at Ballymore or the fact he has the ball in his hands more, coach Tyrell Barker would be delighted at how the BBC Old Boy is performing.
Tom Twadddell (lock)
A lineout kingmaker who makes things a whole lot easier for his forward pack.
3. UNI
Having won three and lost three, Matt Ingram’s UQ side fills out our top four with the Magpies (see below).
So far this season, the reigning premiers (shared with Easts), have come close to Brothers (26-12) and have hit their strap against Sunnybank (54-7), with injuries and first grade promotions changing the line-up.
UQ come into the 2023 season as one of the favourites based on how they went last year and it’s a sure thing that they overcome the early adversity before crunch time.
Key players:
Siliva Leofa (centre)
A capable five-eight, he has beautiful natural ability where the ball tends to glide through his hands. Leofa is also an elusive runner when he takes the ball on and is no push over in contact.
Will Robinson (flanker)
Robinson is a young veteran who has played for the Queensland under 19s and who has endured three years of top flight colts rugby. He is a dynamic forward leader who is a source of inspiration.
Charlie Wigan (hooker)
A match hardened tight forward, the type of which every side needs. With last season under his belt, watch for Wigan to get better and this year rolls on.
4. SOUTHS
The early surprise of the season goes to Cian O’Connor’s Souths side.
Suffering their only loss to Easts, the Magpies are four-from-five so far with an impressive 21-12 win over UQ in round 2.
Souths are one point ahead of UQ on the ladder but face their toughest test yet when they host Brothers on Saturday.
Key players:
Dominic Thygesen (No. 8)
Outstanding. But, an unfortunate knee injury on Saturday may have him out of the action for a while.
Lington Leli (prop)
At loosehead Leli has come back from a year off with injury. He does not look one bit out of place and coach Cian O’Connor said he has been progressing very well.
William Nason (fly half)
Nason has come from Toowoomba to Brisbane and from fullback to fly half, where he has handled things extremely well.
Was a fine player for Toowoomba Grammar in the GPS First XV competition last year.
Thomas O’Callaghan (flanker)
O’Callaghan has been a big improver, going from being a good player in 2022 to a key figure in the forward pack whose actions are inspiring for teammates.
5. BOND UNI
With coach Rico Gear at the steering wheel and new talents stepping up, the bull sharks are finding their way this season.
The team took Easts down to the wire in a 3-8 round 2 loss and found things tough against Brothers but aside from that they have been impressive and are chasing a third successive win on Saturday.
Being led by new additions, Bond claim fifth spot in our rankings and face a fit and firing UQ side this weekend.
Key players:
Alex Miles (centre)
A tryscorer, metre eater and strong crash ball runner.
Harrison Usher (prop)
Leading from the front would be the way to describe Usher’s season so far.
A Queensland Under 19s player, Usher has been a great leader.
Zebediah Misios (flanker)
While Usher is winning the front row battle, Misios is moving mountains for his side at the blindside flanker position.
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6. NORTHS
Just like dominant described the performances for Brothers, unlucky probably describes the start of the season the best for Norths.
The Eagles have fought hard in all six of their games so far in 2023 but have fallen short in all but one contest.
Their only came against Sunnybank (39-7), but had a chance against Bond (21-26), Souths (27-17) and Wests (17-24).
Despite the losses, assistant coach Tom Donnell has been proud of his team’s efforts so far as they take seventh spot in the rankings.
Key players:
Dan Healy (hooker)
A trusty lineout thrower whose physicality and aggression is always evident.
You will find him putting his body on the line.
Will McCulloch (fullback)
McCulloch has been better than good this year. His speed is proving too much for defences to handle.
Throw in his elusiveness, side step and ability to inject himself in the backline and you have the competition’s best fullback.
7. WESTS
The Bulldogs are in a rebuilding phase with plenty of newcomers having their first crack at Colts.
They have snared two wins and have gone down to Souths, UQ and Bond.
Despite defeats, Wests have not only had their moments but they’ve never let the game get too far away from them.
And for coach Roscoe Deacon, it is all a learning curve for his young side gaining valuable experience and making improvements from each game despite the result.
Key players:
Te Moana Beale (flanker)
Te-Moana has been a tower of strength at breakaway as the Bulldogs try and scratch out a foot hold and get some traction for the season ahead.
Jack Spencer (prop)
Spencer is at the forefront of Wests’ efforts in trying to gain parity with their rivals this season. He is a proven front rower who has a proven past record.
Lachlan Kerr
Kerr has been a rock for Wests at the back this season, someone of high value to Bulldogs with his booming kick and astute judgment at the back. He would give comfort to tired forwards knowing he was at the back deciding their next engagement.
8. GPS
Not unlike Wests, the Gallopers are going through a rebuild period after the success of the 2021 season where they were Colts 1 premiers.
In that side were the likes of John Downes, Floyd Aubrey, Bas Ward and Ben Byrne who are now running amok in First Grade
Especially Bas Ward, who has had one hell of a fortnight representing the GPS premier grade side. Let’s not forget 2021 Under-20 Player of the Year Aubrey who is patiently waiting for a Super Rugby Pacific cap.
The time will come.
Coach Sio Kite’s young team has struggled but a win against Easts showed there are good times ahead.
The team is showing improvements, and with young guns like Pat Gavin and Nick Harper, leading the way, the development will continue all season.
Key players:
Nick Harper (prop):
A great scrummager who is dedicated to the team and giving everything he can for the cause. Penalise him and you will see in his eyes how much doing his best means to him.
Mathias Maugatai (flanker):
The blindside flanker was excellent last year and in 2023 he has taken a step up. And the breakdown king is not done yet.
Tasman Barry (centre):
He started in Colts 2 but since moving to the top division he has been a different beast.
The Marist Ashgrove Old Boy, a wrecking ball centre whose rugby league background proves valuable with the way he runs it up hard and fast through the middle.
9. Sunnybank
Unlucky to sit in ninth spot after fighting hard until the final hooter each week.
Yet to secure a win, the Dragons haven’t got things to click just yet but they have their chance this weekend, if they are up for it, against GPS.
Key players:
Isaac Nomani (lock)
Kevin Nelson (backrow)
Lolo Sekona (flanker)
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CLUB RUGBY PREVIEW: PLAYERS TO WATCH
PREMIER WOMEN’S
1. SUNNYBANK
Who knew how good these girls would be? We knew they were going to be good but good enough to beat Easts 67-10 in round 1?
Wow. What a start they have had. Five-from-five with a plus minus of 184.
They started strong and have kept their foot on the gas, the only team to come close thus far Bond Uni. But even then, and there, at Bond Uni, they were 19-12 winners.
If beating Bond doesn’t prove they are the real deal then nothing will.
Need I say Yoku road is the place to be on Saturday when GPS (second) and Sunnybank butt horns at 10:50.
Key players:
Ana Afuie (halfback)
A scrumhalf whose presence in and around the team is contagious.
She has sharp instincts with ball in hand, knows when and how to run when it’s on and also when to pass.
She controls the tempo of the game really well and would look at home in Super W.
Luana Tongia (No. 8)
Potential oozes from this ball carrying whiz.
Tongia, an aggressive breakdown winner, has worked hard on her running technique and it is paying dividends.
Kauna Lopa (fullback)
A tough as nails fullback who plays direct and helps the team advance up the field with her game awareness from the back.
2. GPS
After a gut wrenching loss to Easts in the semi finals last season, coach Mutch Kite was unsure if he was up for another go round.
But, much to the delight of GPS supporters, he had returned for perhaps one final crack. And, it is going well so far.
Saturday is the real test, but so far all signs point towards a top four finish.
And with Queensland Reds stars Tina Campbell, Heleina Young and Sarah Lewis back now after a successful Super W season in which they finished second, they will be like a well oiled engine.
Key players:
Amelia Brown (lock)
After moving to Yoku road Brown has been a stand out in every game.
How? With strong running in attack and speed and deceptive strength in contact.
The menace in opposition breakdowns is quickly becoming a leader at her new home of GPS.
Sereima Leweniqila (No. 8)
Leweniqila was strong in the first three rounds for GPS, missing the last two rounds after being called into the Fijiana Drua and arguably being the catalyst for the teams run in the Super W finals.
And jeez she has brought that to GPS with her all around game, breaking tackles at will with her natural Fijian side step and abrasive tackles on defence.
Quickly becoming a cult hero at Yoku road with her infamous yellow headgear.
Tahlia Lewis (fullback):
Lewis has played every minute of the season and has been the rock in coach Kite’s backline as custodian at fullback.
Strong on defence and effective in attack, Lewis has also added goal kicking arsenal.
3. Bond Uni
Last year’s winners have started well but they are not at their best. When firing, this team is destructive.
Exciting wing prospect Dianne Waight and centre weapon Mel Wilks are two crucial pieces of the puzzle, pieces Bond will need if they want to go back-to-back.
A 122-0 win over Norths in round 6 is a good indication of where they are at.
Key players:
Dianne Waight (winger)
An exciting wing prospect who has all the potential in the world. It would come as no shock to see her picked up by a Super W side or even the Aussie Sevens.
4. UQ
The improvers of the competition.
UQ are finding their feet, experimenting new combinations not by choice but because they have to whether the storm of life.
They’ve beaten Easts, put 50 on Brothers, and defeated a strong Wests team that can beat anyone on their day.
A big test awaits when they take on Bond Uni at home this Saturday.
Key players:
Anelisa Lole (Loosehead Prop/Lock):
Has come to UQ from across the ditch and is fast becoming a key player for the Red Heavies 2023 Squad.
Lole had only just started playing loosehead prop since donning the UQ jersey and she is making it her position with her power in the scrum, reliability in the lineouts and defensive prowess around the park.
Consistent, reliable and an integral piece of the team.
Nena Williamson (lock):
Only 18 years old, Williamson is a junior player with a strong head and an even stronger work ethic around the field.
Her ability to always be present when it’s time to grind had been huge for the team.
“She is a quiet achiever who is a key component in our line outs and scrum,” UQ coach Savelio Savelio.
Ciera McAlpine (centre)
She is Savelio’s “Dark Horse,” improving with every outing.
Her ability to be able to get through a tight opposition defence and also create space for her outside backs is becoming a huge bonus for the team.
And. she follows up and stays connected so when a break is made you best believe she is always there to secure the breakdown.
McAlpine’s defence in the backs is second to none and even after getting bumped off, trust that she will bounce back up and make the next tackle.
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5. Easts
They will come good, there’s no doubt about it.
Just think about the turnaround last year when the likes of Shannon Parry returned to the line up.
A slower start but that happens to the best of teams.
Secured a 26-19 over Souths on Saturday to get things moving.
Key players:
Tina Brown (prop)
In the 2022 Premier Women’s final played between Easts and Bond, Brown’s brutal crash ball running as a prop inflicted endless pain to the Bullsharks defensive line.
This year she has been no different, cementing herself as one of the competition’s best front rowers.
She has been dominant in her scrummaging but it is her ball carrying ability that has really impressed, be it hard carries through the middle, or wide ranging 60m sprints down the sideline.
Fun to watch.
Loretta Lealiifano (centre)
One of the countries best fly half/ inside centres and she proves it week in week out for the Tigers.
Her ability to play at the line, her strong ball carrying, and her run,kick,pass has been huge to the success of Easts this season.
Once last year’s finalists can put out a settled line up on the field around her, she will be even more dangerous.
Shannon Symon
Highly respected at the club for such a young player and for good reason.
She gets through a mountain of work around the field especially on defence and in the ruck, making huge improvements in her ball carrying ability which has become a new strength.
Her challenge now will be keeping her spot with the return of some very talented representative players into the squad post Super W.
6. Souths
Fifth on the ladder and sixth on our power rankings are the Souths Magpies, 2-3 on the season.
A team who are pushing hard for a top finish, Souths have put some excellent performances on including a tight 19-17 loss against GPS and a 27-12 win over Wests.
Key players:
Gracie Wright (halfback):
Tough as nails halfback who punches well above her weight. Has excellent fundamentals, with a great running game and regularly displays tremendous bravery in defence, taking down much bigger girls.
Leka Tuaana (fly half/fullback):
Multi-skilled athlete that can play anywhere in the backline from 10 out. Excellent catch pass skills and has arguably the biggest boot in Queensland women’s rugby.
She has a lethal running game, combining power and strength in contact, with deceptive pace for someone her size.
Mary Tuaana (Hooker/backrow):
An absolute powerhouse with ball in hand and in defence, crunching anyone who runs at her.
A converted centre, Tuaana has taken her game to another level this year in the back row, running some of the best lines you will see from a forward.
Also playing at hooker, she has added a dimension to the team and a skill set that is very reminiscent of Ashley Masters from Melbourne, albeit with more physicality.
A terrific leader and captain of the Magpies.
7. Wests
Having Queensland Reds flanker Hana Lane back will be a great boost for a team capable of great things.
Centre Michelle Curry and 19-year-old prop Tiarrie-Lee Fanuatanu were the team’s other flashpoints, Curry a well-balanced, sidestepping try scorer and Fanuatunu a Sunshine Coast product to keep tabs on.
With those three in the line up, Wests have every chance of beating the best teams. Throw in halfback ace Jessica Craig and you have a team with talent, grit and hunger.
Key players:
Tiarrie Fanuatanu (prop)
She has a big motor and has been a courageous, all effort performer for the Bulldogs at tighthead prop. She is capable of going the distance and playing all minutes.
Holly Thompson (flanker)
Thompson is not so much a key player now, but as she gathers more experience she will become a very accomplished player.
8. Brothers
An on the up side challenging their rivals harder than they did in 2022.
Partly because the younger players, namely Mabel Johnstone and Jordan Manega, are finding their feet.
Key players:
Brittney Brown and Rebecca Davidson (centre)
Brothers were a side making improvements and to the forefront were this midfield duo who were laying a platform on which to build attack, while also threatening with their ball carry.
Mabel Johnstone (lock)
A noted team player who would do anything for her side, Johnstone is exactly the type of player you want to build a side around.
Grace Sullivan (lock)
Sullivan is a seasoned campaigner who is shining the torch and showing the way for the young crop of players trailing behind her.
Hadassah Todd (flanker)
Here is one for the little black books. Todd is one of the most promising young forwards in the competition, very much the future for Brothers.
9. Norths
The Eagles are building their program week by week and there are better days ahead.
Key players:
Aislin Steele (No. 8)
Kiani Brown (centre)
Round 7:
Wests v Easts
Souths v Brothers
GPS v Sunnybank
UQ v Bond Uni
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