TAS First XV rugby team of the week
Who has made our TAS First XV schoolboy rugby Team of the Week from round 2 action? The full squad revealed here.
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The TAS (The Associated Schools) First XV rugby competition is hotting up, with teams finding their groove after two rounds.
Ormiston College, St Columban’s and Canterbury College were the frontrunners, but improvement was seen across all fronts, particularly WestMAC who were lucky not to win after losing by 70 points in round 1.
So who has made the round 2 Team of the Week?
Fullback: Liam Reynolds (Canterbury)
The fullback showcased his skills when returning the ball with strong decisive carries on Saturday. Canterbury coach Josh Afu said, “Liam Reynolds out the back, obviously he’s returning the ball really well for us at the moment.” Whenever Reynolds had ball in hand, he looked dangerous and threatened to break the Ormiston defensive line.
Winger: Dylan Penniket (Ormiston)
Penniket was the hatrick hero on Saturday, the winger the first to score in both halves in Ormistons 45-20 victory over Canterbury. The try of the day came when he scored an epic 60m try, streaking away to leave Ormiston supporters in awe.
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Outside Centre: Laurence Rice (JPC)
Rice had a cracking game at centre for JPC. He was exceptional in defence and played with high aggression and physicality which lifted the team’s intensity. He was everywhere and involved in every phase of the game.
Inside centre: Michael Lindsay (CHAC)
A transplanted back rower, Lindsay was an incredible hulk running crash ball at the brave CHAC midfield. CHAC did defend him, but not before his leg drive helped WestMAC at least gain parity off his forwards.
Winger: Jack Johnston (Ormiston)
Johnston had a mistake free game. He capitalised when given the ball and was unbeatable in defence. The gutsy winger made a bone-crunching tackle on Canterbury fullback Liam Reynolds with 10 minutes to go to show Canterbury that even when up 30, they weren’t going to dial down the intensity. Ormiston assistant coach Kris Peterman said “our right winger Jack Johnston was outstanding today.”
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Flyhalf: Laif Williams (Ormiston)
Williams looked like a man among boys on Saturday afternoon. His strong build and physicality paired with his polished, smart playing style provided an anchor both offensively and defensively for Ormiston in their win at home. Williams had a great boot, and an even better sense of the game. With 50-22 attempts, great escaping kicks from inside his team’s 22, and a perfect 7/7 from the shoe, the young centre was a standout in round two. He played amazingly in the backline almost as a second fly half, setting up plays and creating overlaps and space. He was fending, stepping, and doing a bit of everything. We named him at fly half to get the best 15 players into our Team of the Week.
Halfback: Lucas Wood (Ormiston)
Wood was the unsung hero in Ormistons 45-20 victory over Canterbury on Saturday afternoon. The halfback was quick to the rucks, had great decision making skills and had a bullet pass which gave the backs the chance to get involved regularly. Whether it was through quick taps or cut out balls, Wood was the catalyst to many of the spectacular Ormiston tries.
No.8: Jack Henry (Canterbury)
Henry had a day out on Saturday afternoon. The towering No.8 applied great pressure from the kick-offs and was strong in defence. He was also very good come lineout time. He pilfered as well to win Canterbury the ball and create scoring opportunities. The No.8 had a touch finessed late in the game when he put in a crisp cross-field kick to teammate Alex Mutimuti who finished off an amazing try. Canterbury coach Josh Afu said, “Jack Henry is an absolute rock in that lineout set piece and his work around the field is great.”
Flanker: Alex Mutimuti (Canterbury)
Mutimuti scored a great double on Saturday afternoon, and was one of the few players that kept Canterbury in the fight against a strong Ormiston outfit. The flanker was solid on defence, and like world-class flankers, probed on the edges, where he was positioned well for two cracking tries.
Flanker: Matt Hayes (WestMAC)
WestMAC No. 8 and captain Matt Hayes was absolutely outstanding playing from the back of the scrum. Through his actions he said “follow me boys’’ and follow them the WestMAC players did. We have named him blindside flanker here to get our best players from the weekend into the starting XV.
Lock: Michael Kendall (JPC)
Kendall was the most dominant forward on the field for JPC. Kendall had a very high work rate and was rock solid both in defence and when carrying the ball for the full 70 minutes.
Lock: Elijah Walters (Canterbury)
Walters was a workhorse for Canterbury. The lock was always ready for hit ups and burrowing runs. He was a force in defence for the full 70 minutes as well. Canterbury coach Josh Afu said, “Our skipper Elijah Walters is always going. He’s always there working for us.”
Prop: Liam Theron (WestMAC)
Theron was good in a badly beaten side in round 1, but with his team holding onto the ball he was a front row wrecking ball both carrying possession and thundering across in cover defence.
Hooker: Liam McGreggor (St. Paul’s)
McGreggor and his St Paul teammates rallied hard in the dying moments of their clash against John Paul College to produce one of the most fantastic finishes. McGreggor scored a stunning try in the corner following a JPC try gave them the lead with five minutes to go. McGreggor’s heroics secured a famous St.Paul’s victory, the Pumas coming away with a fantastic 36-33 win.
Prop: Oscar Neuendorf-King (CHAC)
It was a rugged forward battle between a better organised, well equipped WestMAC forward pack but through the debris CHAC prop Neuendorf-King held his own, tackling boldly, supporting the fallen player at the breakdown and carrying possession.
Reserves:
Tom Dove (WestMAC)
The WestMAC lock had a booming match in a revitalised side that held onto the ball after a round 1 of dropsy. No doubt given confidence by his skipper Hayes, prop Theron and big No.12 Lindsay, Dove played with authority and a belief he belonged in TAS First XV rugby.
Alex Coldham-Fussell (CHAC)
Coldham-Fussell swept onto a stray pass to score the try which gave CHAC enough breathing space for victory, but also tackled well and ran strongly despite his slender build.
Kyran Taylor (CHAC)
Taylor was outstanding with his low defence and enthusiastic ball running which challenged WestMAC and moved their big men about the field.
No.8: Daniel Johnstone and scrumhalf Alex Simpson (St. Paul’s)
Johnstone was a standout for the Pumas in their gritty 3-point win over JPC. The No.8 once again led from the front with a big effort from stand in half back Alex Simpson who was called in on the morning of the game to play a huge role in the victory.
Angus McConville (CHAC)
There must be something in the water at CHAC because their inside backs never flinched in defence against bigger opponents and the running of WestMAC No.8 Matt Hayes.
Johnny Dick (CHAC)
It was a forward dogfight at the weekend between CHAC and WestMAC, so the lovely, crisp service of CHAC No.9 Johnny Dick was a nice contrast to the physical forward confrontations.
FOOTNOTE: Our coverage continues on Saturday, with a story posted in the afternoon at www.couriermail.com.au
ROUND 2
CHAC v JPC
Canterbury v St John’s
Ormiston v St Columban’s
WestMAC v St Paul’s
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