TAS First XV rugby: Players to Watch in 2022
Who are the Players to Watch in TAS First XV rugby this season? From a competition which has produced some of the code’s finest Reds, we give you the 2022 stars on the rise.
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It is the schoolboy rugby First XV competition which brought Queensland rugby Wallabies like Ben Tune, Troy Coker, Fletcher Dyson and co, and the 2022 season starts this weekend.
Welcome to the kick off of the TAS (The Associated Schools) First XV rugby season, which will be covered by www.couriermail.com.au from round 1.
John Paul College will come up against St Johns (Daisy Hill), St Paul’s play Canterbury (Bald Hills), West Moreton Anglican College clash with Ormiston (Karrabin), while St Columban’s College and Cannon Hill Anglican College battle it out in Caboolture.
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To celebrate the start of the season, we bring you a Players to Watch preview, highlighting exciting talent from each of the eight competing schools.
WEST MORETON ANGLICAN COLLEGE
LIAM THERON
Theron, a 1.95cm Prop, joined the University of Queensland Junior Colt Heavies this year after helping his team to runners-up in the BJRU Junior Colts Lightning Series. He was also chosen to represent the Met West under 18’s team and will be taking part in the Rugby Union State Championship from May 26-29 in Brisbane. In his last year of schooling, the strong 17-year-old will prove hard to stop.
MATHEW HAYES
The WestMAC’s First XV captain for 2022, flanker Hayes is hard at the ball at the breakdown and will be inspirational with his leadership from the front.
HAMISH HUNT
Hunt is a seasoned campaigner backing up for his second year in the First XV. His electric speed out wide is sure to deliver plenty of try scoring opportunities. He is the reigning 16 years TAS Age Champion in athletics and was last year’s fastest 16-year-old in the 100m at the TAS Athletics carnival.
ST COLUMBAN’S COLLEGE
OSCAR TORRENS
An open flanker, Torrens approaches his second year of First XV rugby after serving a successful apprenticeship as the No.7 in last year’s St Columban’s College’s undefeated premiership winning side. Torrens leads by example with his intensity in defence, high work rate on the ball and is progressing into a strong decision maker and team voice. He has gained
selection in the Sunshine Coast schoolboys side to contest the Queensland State Championships in May.
RYAN FITZGERALD
An inside centre, FitzGerald is made for the No.12 jersey and played as a year 11 student in the 2021 Premiership winning side when he featured strong carries in attack and intensity with hard-hitting defence. He is developing as a leader and will no doubt assist in the development of teammates through his strong core skills and calming influence in the backline. FitzGerald has gained selection in the Sunshine Coast Schoolboys side to contest the Queensland State Championships in May.
ORMISTON COLLEGE
LARIF WILLIAMS
An inside centre, this will be Williams third year in the First XV, and his second year as captain. The utility is equally adept at carrying the ball as he is at ball playing. Williams has a large role on this team and will be pivotal if they are to push for this year’s premiership.
DYLAN PRIDDY
This will be Priddy’s third year in the First XV. He has become a dominant ball running centre as well as a ferocious and determined defender, who loves the physical aspect of the code.
CAMERON DOUGLAS
The fullback is returning for his second year in the First XV. He is a very knowledgeable No.15 who reads the game well and has dynamic jinking footwork. His game is dangerous both through the middle of the field against tired bodies and out wide turning two on two’s
into two’s on one with ease.
ETHAN HILL
This will be Hill’s first year in the First XV. A hooker, he is fearless and shows up in every breakdown. He will make his presence known in both attack and defence.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
BENI ALLEN:
A No.8 or centre, Allen is a powerful player and a sensational prospect who is on the radar for professional teams. Indeed the Brisbane Broncos have identified him. He displays excellent ball-handling skills, solid defence and composed on-field leadership.
MARK MORAN
Moran, a fly half or fullback, is an exceptional cover defender with a high rugby IQ. His ability to read the field of play to create opportunities will prove very valuable.
ST JOHN’S ANGLICAN SCHOOL
LINCOLN MAUFOE
The Maufoe is St John’s First XV captain, a natural leader who will prove important to powering his teammates across the line and bringing the group together. He is expected to make some great carries to give his team go-forward this season.
OSCAR MILLER
Miller committed himself to pre-season training to improve his already advanced skills. The hooker will look to lead by his actions to give St John’s their best chance at winning.
CANNON HILL ANGLICAN COLLEGE
OLIVER GOUGH
The No.8 is a tough player who will lead from the front for the full game. His best qualities are his game sense, his will to improve his game and how tenacious he is in his rugby approach.
JOHN DICK
Quick to the breakdowns, the half has a very sharp pass. However, his value comes from his leadership on and off the field, his vision and game sense, but most importantly how he brings the boys together to enjoy the game.
CANTERBURY COLLEGE
JACK HENRY
The backrower is returning to the First XV for his second season, and his leadership and work rate around the field will be a major upside for Canterbury.
ST PAUL’S SCHOOL
DANIEL JONSTONE
The No.8 has a strong presence on and off the field. He can be a devastating ball runner and is a strong defender who last year was the 2021 Ben Tune Medallist. Johnstone will captain the side.
ROUND 1, Saturday:
JPC v St Johns. Cec Munns Sports Centre, John Paul Drive, Daisy Hill, 10:15.
St Paul’s v Canterbury. Attunga St, Bald Hills, 11:15am
WestMAC v Ormiston. Keswick Rd Karrabin, 10:15am
St Columban’s v CHAC. St Columban’s, McKean St, Caboolture, 10:15am
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