TAS First XV rugby - key Players to Watch revealed here
TAS First XV schoolboy rugby union: The key Players to Watch revealed here for a competition which has produced some of Reds rugby’s greatest players.
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It is a schoolboy rugby union competition which has produced some of Reds and club rugby’s finest players - and it is on again this weekend.
The TAS (The Associated Schools) First XV rugby union season will start on Saturday.
The TAS system has produced some of the very best, including Wallaby great Ben Tune, Australian champions Rod McCall, Tory Coker and Jeff Miller, Brumbies great David Giffin, the time honoured Stan Pilecki and club legends like the Nightingale boys.
OUR TAS RUGBY’S GREATEST ALL-TIME SIDE REVEALED HERE
Even current Easts Tigers coaching supremo, Tyrell Barker (Ormiston College), and rising back rower Taine Roiri (JPC) hail from this competition.
Other prominent recent old boys include:
Poutasi Luafutu (Rosalie, Queensland representative)
Ian Prior (Ormiston College, Western Force captain, Wallabies U20’s)
Hooker: Alex Casey (Ormiston College)
Fletcher Dyson (John Paul College, 10 Tests)
Ed O’Donoghue (Rosalie Marist, Queensland representative)
Jake Schatz (John Paul College, Queensland Reds)
So who will be some of the Players to Watch this season? Revealed here.
CANNON HILL ANGLICAN COLLEGE
Angus McConville:
McConville will captain the First XV where his calm, cool and collected nature will come to the fore. He is a No. 10 who controls the game with a strong kicking and passing game
RELATED LINKS
OUR TAS FIRST XV 2022 TEAM OF THE SEASON
Alex Coldham – Fussell:
A blindside flanker, Coldham will play with plenty of passion and commitment.
Ryan Williamson:
A winger, he plays well above his weight even though he is grade 11. Watch for his finishing bursts.
Joey Hona:
CHAC will be in good hands with his Year 11 student at No.8. He is a noted strong carrier of the ball.
CANTERBURY COLLEGE
Jack Henry:
Sporting rich Canterbury will be spearheaded by No. 8: Henry who is a returning First XV player after first breaking into the top side in 2021. A mobile and skilful back rower, Henry will captain the side. He has a great work ethic and leads by example. He is physical on both sides of the ball and very good in the air at lineout time.
Bailey Murphy:
At inside centre, Murphy is a strong ball carrying No. 12. Murphy has good speed and skills, and is a tough physical defender.
WestMAC
Ryan Sharp:
A prop, Ryan is a mainstay of the forward pack with his powerful scrummaging and strong ball carries. A third year player, he will look to bend the advantage line at every opportunity.
Thomas Michie:
The returning fly-half will look to control the game with good decision making across the park. He is a sharpshooter with the boot as well.
ORMISTON COLLEGE
Angus Melville:
Melville formed a formidable backrow partnership with Riley O’Brien in 2022 and is excited about moving to No. 8 in 2023. He is a third year First XV player and will look to dominate the gain line with his strong carries. Blessed with great speed, if Melville breaks the line, he will be very hard to handle in the backfield. He has been named captain for 2023 and will look to follow in the footsteps of Laif Williams who led Ormiston to an undefeated premiership in 2022.
Lucas Wood:
Wood was the top halfback in the 2022 TAS Competition and returns this year as vice-captain of the side. His impressive pass allows Ormiston to play with width and speed. He may see some time in the fylhalf role as well and will be equally adept there. He is sure to be a real difference maker in 2023.
Reiner Welgemoed:
Renier played blindside flanker in the dominant Ormiston pack last year and moved to open side this year. He is only in Year 11 but you wouldn’t know it, such is his ability. His work rate is second to none and he is known for putting on many big hits. Renier has added some strings to his bow this year by developing a passing game and may see some time in the centres if the situation calls for it.
Samuel West:
West is a rookie in 2023 but is an extremely exciting prospect for Ormiston’s First XV. Blessed with supreme acceleration and agility, the fullback will be extremely dangerous on counter attack. Opposition sides will need to ensure they have a strong kick chase game or he will tear them apart.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
Jayden Ward:
Ward is a hard tackling work horse, who thrives on the physicality, someone who never stops in defence and at the breakdown
Kingbenjamin Swirling:
A hard running No. 8 with all the handling skills of a number 10, Swirling consistently has the impact to turn the momentum of a game at any moment on both sides of the ball
Jamie Critchley:
This big ball carrying inside centre has the finesse and agility to beat defenders with his foot work and strength. This, coupled with a strong offload, set him up as a Player to Watch for sure.
ST COLUMBAN’S COLLEGE
Toby Vinton:
Vinton is a hard running, ball playing backrower. His leadership and communication on the field makes him a huge asset to the team. Vinton is entering his second year representing the College 1st XV and will be instrumental in the success of the team this year.
Sam Hoolihan:
Hoolihan possesses fine skills in both attack and defence. His ability to hit the hole and find the backfield will be vital for Saints scoring points. Hoolihan’s line speed and his ability to effect a strong one on one tackle will also create nightmares for the opposition. He is also entering his second year representing the College 1st XV.
Lachlan Grace:
Grace plays prop and is entering his third year as a 1st XV playing. Over his time, he has developed into a versatile player with the ability to play multiple positions in the forwards and backs. Grace is a strong ball running, dynamic defender and a vital part of the success of the team this year.
St Paul’s School
The school which was home to two of Queensland’s finest ever players - Ben Tune and Troy Coker - will be spearheaded by three players.
Tanner Baker:
A No.8, he is a solid ball carrier who also has a strong defensive game.
Kasey Camilleri:
An all purspose flyhalf, hewill guide the side around the field with purpose and poise.
Reinhard Fick:
Fick is a huge presence on both side of the ball, the future of rugby at the school. He will play prop.
Round 1.
Canterbury v WestMAC
JPC v CHAC
St Columban’s v St Paul’s
Bye: Ormiston
Round 2
JPC v Canterbury
WestMAC v St John’s
Ormiston v St Paul’s
CHAC v St Columban’s
Round 3
CHAC v Canterbury
Ormiston v JPC
St Paul’s v WestMAC
St Columban’s v St John’s
St John’s v Canterbury
JPCv St Columban’s
St Paul’s v CHAC
Ormiston v WestMAC
WestMAC v St Columban’s
Canterbury v Ormiston
CHAC v St John’s
St Paul’s v JPC
St John’s v JPC
WestMAC v CHAC
Canterbury v St Paul’s
St Columban’s v Ormiston
Round 7
Canterbury v St Columban’s
CHAC v Ormiston
JPC v WestMAC
St John’s v St Paul’s
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