TAS First XV schoolboy rugby Team of the Week
Our TAS First XV schoolboy rugby Team of the Week includes an inspiring Canterbury forward leader, an Orimiston speed merchant and a fabulous St Columban’s flanker. Team here.
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Canterbury College’s Jack Henry would captain our TAS First XV schoolboy Team of the Week after leading his side to a thrilling 24-14 victory over John Paul College on Saturday.
And, inside centre Bailey Murphy (Canterbury), fly half Kingbenjamin Swirling (JPC) would lead our backline after dazzling round 2 performances.
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Henry, a towering No. 8 in his third year of First XV rugby, was an inspirational leader for Canterbury in the Logan local derby with his pilfering winning possession and ball carrying earning two tries.
And even at the back of the scrum and in the lineouts the headgear wearing workhorse gave his side the edge away from home.
Henry played the full 70 minutes, throwing cut out passes, wriggling out of tackles and winning the breakdown as the Josh Afu coached Canterbury came from 14-7 down to clinch victory.
“His skill set is amazing,” Afu said.
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“As a No. 8 you want somebody that can go hard at the ball, make his tackles and then link between the backs and forwards and he does that so well.
“He’s got the silky skills of a back and in the lineout as well he catches balls with one hand at training.
“He’s just a good player who oozes enthusiasm which has spread to the boys and to the Year 11 guys and hopefully flooding down to the school.
“We’re big on leaving something behind when you are in this jersey and Jack is leaving spades behind at the moment. He’s just leading from the front, ”Afu said.
But no one man army could defeat Joshua Kron’s John Paul College.
Henry had help and plenty of it. Canterbury front rowers Tymothy Palupe and Dylan You were all heart.
For a hooker, Palupe had a quick and deceptive step off the mark which proved lethal more than once.
Meanwhile, You put his body on the line with a heroic defensive display.
He was the reason Canterbury only let in two tries.
The high-level gameplay rumbled from the forward pack through to the backline where Murphy was a classy customer bolstered by his back three.
Joshua Williams and Ashley Broadbent were clinical on the wings, while Charlie Rowe turned up from with his kick returns.
It’s worth noting Rowe had his hands full, with his opposite DJ Gray a player sure to set the competition alight for the next three years.
A year 10, Gray is one of those kids that just has it - in any sport.
A naturally athletic and built fullback, the Afro ace is possibly the best replacement for John Paul College’s strike man Beni Allen, who graduated last year.
JPC head coach Joshua Kron said Gray was more than a good rugby player, “one of those top level athletes that excels in any sport you put in front of him.”
“When he’s on a rugby field he has that thought and direction. He knows where he needs to be. He’s always going to beat three defenders. He’s got good feet, good hands and good defence.
“It’s his season.”
JPC supporters would be pleased to know Allen has continued to improve in the Wynnum Manly Seagulls Meninga Cup rugby league team.
Helping JPC’s cause on Saturday was wrecking ball do it all fly half Kingbenjamin Swirling who has had one hell of a start to the season, after missing 2022 with injury.
Kron said Swirling offers a lot, steering the forward pack, providing confidence while possessing the ability to change the game with or without ball in hand.
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In Brisbane, Cannon Hill Anglican College started so well against St Columban’s and if they can sustain their first 20 minute effort for longer, and then again after halftime, they will be in more matches.
Hats off to flanker Alex Coldham-Fussell and lock Oliver Gardner for leading the way. Better times were ahead for CHAC who will be better for the run.
For the winners St Columban’s, after getting an even share of possession close to halftime, found their mojo.
Flanker Devlyn Nel is a gem and deservedly got an early mark and hooker Alby Lyons again offered the energy of a flanker – playing hooker.
Fellow breakaway Bailey Atkins brought off a bellringer of a tackle and was almost among the best on the field.
One interesting project player is No. 8 Lathaniel Timaloa.
The big fella is still gathering knowledge but he has an immediate advantage because of his physic.
When he tucks the ball under his arm and gets his body height right, St Columban’s College will be going forward for sure.
Off the forward foundation, Year 11 inside centre Caleb Ritchie again shone.
St Paul’s were a work in progress but they were not light years off clicking. The Saints were lucky to have flankers Callum Campbell and Tanner Baker on-board for the season.
It was great to see ST John’s fielding teams and their First XV opponents last Saturday, WestMAC, were propelled to victory by prop Ryan Sharp, a third season veteran, and second rower Mason Kaylor.
“Ryan at prop was strong with his ball carries and with his line out defence, and Mason was a very effective tackler and his support play was excellent,’’ praised WestMAC coach Ben O’Connell.
Michael Harrmannsen of Ormiston College is another interesting talent with speed and plenty of it.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Fullback: DJ Gray (JPC)
Winger: Michael Harrmannsen (Ormiston)
Centre: Billy Jackson (St Paul’s)
Centre: Bailey Murphy (Canterbury) and Caleb Ritchie (St St Columban's)
Winger: Joshua Williams (Canterbury)
Fly half: Kingbenjamin Swirling (JPC)
Scrum half: Sam West (Ormiston)
No. 8: Jack Henry (Canterbury)
Flanker: Devlyn Nel (St Columban's)
Flanker: Tanner Baker (St Paul’s) and Bailey Atkins (St Columban's)
Lock: Nate Levitt (JPC) and Oliver Gardner (CHAC)
Lock: Mason Kayler (WestMAC)
Prop: Ryan Sharp (WestMAC)
Hooker: Tymothy Palupe (Canterbury)
Prop: Dylan You (Canterbury)
Reserves:
Angus Melville (Ormiston), Alby Lyons (St St Columban's), Stephen Brown (Canterbury), Lathaniel Timaloa (St St Columban's), Callum Campbell (St Paul’s) and Alex Coldham-Fussell (CHAC), Ashley Broadbent (Canterbury)
Footnote: We could not split inside centres Murphy or Ritchie, or flankers Bailey and Tanner.
ROUND 3
CHAC v Canterbury
Ormiston v JPC
St Paul’s v WestMAC
St Columban’s v St John’s
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