Six things the Reds U18s clash against the ‘Tahs taught us
Brilliant tries, powerful scrummaging and a classic QLD-NSW grudge match - the first under-18s clash of the year had it all. Here were six things we learnt ahead of game No.2 in Sydney.
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The Queensland Reds under-18s have the chance to exact revenge when they face the Waratahs at Concord on Saturday.
The Reds lost 33-26 in the first of two matches last weekend and will have a chance to balance the ledger when the Academy rivals collide for round two.
The first game had plenty of highlights, but one thing was clear. There is some serious talent coming through.
Below is six things we learnt from the outing at Ballymore.
5 THINGS WE LEARNED
GPS COUP
One of the things we learnt from game one was that hooker Ewald Kruger is a huge coup for GPS’ colts 1 rugby team this season.
The Toowoomba Grammar old boy has moved down to Brisbane where he is studying, working and playing rugby.
GPS have had a couple of disappointing years since its premiership in 2021 and Kruger is just the sort of player that can help turn things around.
He was the best player in the Reds under-16s side that made the Super Rugby Pacific grand final in 2022 and this year, in the under-18s, he is again playing at a very high level.
He takes care of business and is excellent at set-piece.
HOPS LIKE A KANGAROO
Who else saw fullback whiz Treyvon Pritchard leap off the ground and take a remarkable catch in that game?
It was remarkable because it looked like he jumped off a trampoline that’s how high he got up.
No run up needed, Pritchard just sprung into the air and made catching a highball look easy.
MR VERSATILE
Super-sub Stanley Keats played fullback or wing during the First XV rugby season for BBC last year and played halfback last weekend off the bench for Queensland.
The Wests Bulldogs Next Gen Sevens selection provided a punch when he came on, offering quick ball to flyhalf Mackay while showing he is not afraid to take on the line himself.
TSS’ BRIGHT FUTURE
We already knew this but it’s worth mentioning again. Kingsley Uys, a Year 11, is an absolute weapon and he showed that on Saturday.
He made his opposition look small at times, he scored a try, he cleaned out hard and stuck his tackles.
He still has two years of First XV rugby at the school.
Blaze Moana, a hooker, is another TSS student in this team who has another year of First XV rugby this year.
Moana is like Reds hooker Matt Faessler. Why you may ask. It’s because they both have a knack for scoring off the rolling mauls.
In fact, they are so good at it that whenever there is a lineout five metres from the try line, you can’t help but think they are going to score.
JONAH RANGIWAI, DANIAL CHRISTODOULOU BOB UP
We first glimpsed frontrower Jonah Rangiwai two years ago at the Emerging Reds Cup when the TSS student impressed with his power-game.
He made the under-15s Academy that was named after the tournament. Early in 2023 Rangiwai was in the Connell Cup junior representative league squad for the Tweed Seagulls.
There he was. One year later, playing in the frontrow for the Reds under-18s where his scrummaging helped win a penalty.
Danial Christodoulou, wearing jersey No.17, stood out as well. When he came onto the field he immediately won a penalty at scrum-time.
Christodoulou’s calling card is his strength and power, but he is more than capable of an offload in contact and has tidy footwork.
TSS look to have three promising forwards in Uys, Moana and Rangiwai shaping up for a strong GPS season.
RIB RATTLER
Nudgee College backrower John Grenfall was another who raised eyebrows at the 2022 Emerging Reds Cup. At the time he was bigger and stronger than his peers and when he came off the bench on Saturday, it was a similar story.
A big bopper, Grenfall laid out his opponent with a thumping that dislodged the ball.
Last year he was stuck behind Raiders signee Samuel Hyne. This year it’s hard to imagine he won’t be a starter.
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