Who were the players set to impact the 2024 TAS First XV schoolboy rugby season? Revealed here
Who were the Players to Watch in the TAS First XV schoolboy rugby competition this season? Every school represented here with our season preview.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s here. The TAS rugby season is upon us again.
Powerhouse rugby school St Columban’s, a college rich in rugby union tradition, will enter the season as the reigning premiers after beating Ormiston College in the grand final.
TAS RUGBY TEAM OF THE SEASON 2023
Ahead of round one on Saturday April 20, enjoy this Players to Watch preview highlighting some of the young guns who will likely make an impact for their respective schools.
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN SEASON 2024
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
DJ Gray
A damaging fullback last year, JPC senior DJ Gray is set for another big campaign.
A Brisbane Tigers rugby league ace, Gray has flair written all over him and with a year under his belt, we expect him to make more strides.
Kingbenjamin Swirling
Shifting from inside centre into the forwards, destructive big man Swirling will be a wrecking ball capable of swinging matches for JPC.
He is a University Red Heavies Colts player and Met East under-18s selection.
Nate Levitt
Another Met East under-18s selection, the rough and tumble lock is match hardened after last season and will be a key lineout target and orchestrator for JPC.
Kobe Lawrence
Back at full strength after missing last season with an arm injury, flyhalf Lawrence will have his hand on the trigger for JPC this year.
He is a triple threat with that run, kick and pass package and will have a key role steering his side around the paddock.
CANTERBURY COLLEGE
Charlie Menzies
The Year 11 centre is returning after his debut season as a Year 10 student in 2023.
Quick, fast and strong, this Brothers rugby club midfielder is a nice replacement for school leaver Bailey Murphy.
Josh Noble
Canterbury College senior Josh Noble will pack a punch at No.8 while being a good link man between his forwards and backs.
He has big shoes to fill with Jack Henry now an old boy but we predict he will do a great job.
Ma’afu Takai
Year 11 Sunnybank Dragons junior Ma’afu Takai will partner Menzies in the centres and offers a mixed bag.
With ball in hand he can prove damaging, while off the ball he is an astute defender.
ST PAUL’S SCHOOL
Liam Payne
The fleet-a-foot fullback was as sharp as knife’s edge last season and we expect much of the same from the Mr Natural.
He just knows how to move with the ball in hand and has natural ability that can’t be coached.
Just as sharp, has that movement when he has the ball in his hands.
Reinhard Fick
A powerful prop last year, Fick will play in the tight five again this season and is primed for a big campaign in his final year of schooling.
Ollie Rauchle
The No.8 from Brothers rugby club is a youngster coming through the ranks at St Paul’s and will offer plenty of thrust through the middle of the field.
Angus Toovey
An inside centre, there is plenty to get excited about with this Year 11.
He has high rugby IQ and is going to get the Pumas from A to B with his carries.
CANNON HILL ANGLICAN COLLEGE
Joey Hona
CHAC’s captain this season, Hona is set to be a key cog in the side, as a ball runner and as a defensive brute.
A tremendous leader, the athletic Easts Tigers Hona will set the tone at openside flanker.
Isaac Mellish
Flyhalf and vice captain Isaac Mellish is back for another season where his kicking game and organisation will be a big part of how CHAC play.
Ryan Williamson
The pacy outside centre will be a player of note at outside centre.
A strong defender, Williamson will embark on his second year of Firsts and will look to use his athleticism to weasel through gaps in the defence.
ORMISTON COLLEGE
Renier Welgemoed
Forward leader Renier Welgemoed will move from flanker to inside centre this season for his third and final year of Firsts.
Bigger and more skilful, the well built South African will form a formidable centre pairing with his menacing younger brother, Year 11 student Eduart.
Sam West
Diminutive fullback Sam West is back following a strong campaign in 2023.
The headgeared assassin was a classy returner of the ball and will likely have a more prominent role this season for a youthful Ormiston outfit.
Also watch for returning flyhalf Oliver Sheil.
Angus Plastow
Year 11 lineout maestro Plastow is out to make an impact after missing season the 10As sesaon last year with a collarbone injury.
Year 11 lineout maestro Plastow is out to make an impact after missing the 10As season last year with a collarbone injury.
ST COLUMBAN’S COLLEGE
Alby Lyons
The premiership winning hooker is back for another year.
A lineout operator, young veteran Lyons will be a key leader for a youthful St Columban’s side looking to ruffle feathers in this year’s competition.
Watch for him to win the ball at the breakdown.
Charley Ogden
Embarking on his first year of First XV rugby, flyhalf Ogden will look to use his strong running game and booming kicking game to get his side in the right areas.
He will kick the goals.
Akeli Filipo
A Year 12 student with power, Filipo will play in the centres where he could see some minutes next to younger brother Domsaviyo.
Filipo will utilise his strength and power game, while Domsaviyo will add another dimension to St Columban’s midfield attack with his footwork.
Toby Parker
A second rower, Parker will hit the ground running in round one after a top notch pre-season.
A forward leader, Parker will move up into the top team this year after playing in patches in 2023.
Physical.
WEST MORETON ANGLICAN COLLEGE
Connor Purvey
WestMAC will field a relatively young side this season and leading them into the fray will be forward leader Purvey.
An openside flanker returning for his final year, the Ipswich Rangers junior will be a red alert player near the breakdown.
The WestMAC captain’s calling cards were his effective tackling and pilfering at the ruck.
Mason Plummer
The athletic outside back is returning for another year of Firsts.
One of the fastest players this season, Plummer has pace and plenty of it.
WestMAC will be looking to get this track whiz early ball in space.
GPS First XI Round 1: Nudgee given the Hook, IGS v Terrace thriller
GPS First XI cricket sensation: A BBC student who recently trained at Scotland’s Celtic FC, the Terrace rugby halfback ace and a BSHS bowling rookie were round one heroes. Reports here.
Hall eager to be back in the pool for cherished cause
Australian flag bearer and five time Paralympian Brenden Hall has reflected on his whirlwind Paris games as he uncovers his new found motivation for life in the pool.