Who were the Speed Demons, Big Boppers of AIC rugby?
Who were the speed demons scoring tries in the AIC First XV rugby competition? Revealed here, along with the Big Boppers you’d least like to tackle.
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Padua College and reigning premiers, St Laurence’s College both had one hand each on the trophy four rounds into the competition.
READ ALL ABOUT IT: HOW ROUND 4 WAS WON AND LOST
Both remain unbeaten and headed for a last round showdown for the title on June 8 unless Villanova can pull off a surprise win in round 5, or Marist Ashgrove upset St Laurence’s in round 6.
In celebration of the season to date, we bring you this tribute to both the competition’s speed demons and big boppers.
SPEED DEMONS
Jayden Solien (Padua)
The the versatile Solien made our Meninga Cup rugby league Team of the Season as a lock and in rugby he plays fullback, where his speed is one of Padua’s biggest attacking threats. Returning the ball from fullback, Solien gathers ominous pace as he goes and alongside track whiz Damon Humphrys, he would be Padua’s quickest. His creation of a try with a chip and chase effort last Saturday against Iona was electric.
Joel Drew (Ashgrove)
Athletic hurdles ace Joel Drew would be Ashgrove’s fastest mover. A second-year player, the long striding Drew is almost uncatchable once he clocks full speed. His teammate Tom Howard was also lightning off the mark, but for sustained pace Drew has him well covered.
Connor Quinn (Iona)
Outside back Quinn has pace, a goose step and ball playing ability which has seen Iona’s back division find early season success. Tall and wiry, slick mover Quinn can get on the outside of his defenders. He is more than just a sprinter - Quinn won Iona’s Peter Doubles Daley Medal for his effort against Padua.
Jack Boland (St Patrick’s)
The pace of Boland has been for all to see in three games this season.
A fullback, Boland has the footwork and speed to be a real threat returning the ball, especially with Ryan Smallhorne and Matt Condon lurking. Twice this season he has scored simply stunning counter attack tries.
Henry Armstrong and Jhye Leis (St Patrick’s)
The St Patrick’s First XV team isn’t the biggest in the competition, but they could be the fastest.
In front of fullback Boland lies two quicksilver wingers, headgear wearing weapon Armstrong and blonde haired speedster Leis who accelerates into contact.
Both were quick off the mark and dangerous in broken play.
Will Kartelo (St Laurence’s)
The pacy St Laurence’s outside back has a devastating step and a turn of speed and when he gets the ball with space he is one of the hardest to stop in the competition.
Against Villanova he scored an absolute beauty steaming onto the ball and he added another try to his tally on Saturday at Runcorn with that deadly step of his.
Ned Godwin (Villanova)
Villanova may not be the biggest side this year, but they have speed covered with Godwin on the field.
He does not lose any pace with the ball in hand, nor does his brother Gus, a first grade speedster at Easts.
Lachie Ebrington (Villanova)
Ebrington hasn’t hit full speed yet, but in full flight there aren’t many that can track down the elite AIC sprinter.
The young gun used his speed to get Villanova home in a round four thriller against St Edmund’s.
Wallace Charlie (St Peters)
You could have guessed it.
The hot-stepping Thursday Island utility back was his team’s quickest and most dangerous.
Charlie has been playing fly half for St Peters, but his speed would come into play in his best position of fullback.
Pat Albion (St Edmund’s)
He is not just a very good cricketer, but also a speed demon when it comes to rugby.
BIG BOPPERS
William Ross (Padua)
The towering Padua lock is from the land of giants.
He is well over 195cm but is far from lanky.
He is big, strong, powerful and has nice ball skills and his older brother Mitch is also a fine footballer at the Norths club.
Reuben Downes (Ashgrove)
The hulking Ashgrove loose-head reminds us a little of Ashgrove front row powerhouse John Downes (2018), who currently plays for GPS’ Hospital Cup side.
John Downes was one of the biggest to play AIC rugby, and Reuben would give him a run for his money in an arm wrestle.
Big and mobile, Downes has been terrific in close quarter battle this season.
Hopo Leota (Iona)
Ever run into a brick wall? That’s scrumming against big man Leota would be like.
The New Zealand born prop is big, but has the soft hands of an inside back and plays a brilliant linking role between Iona’s forwards and backs.
Sam Hodder (Iona)
Iona’s loosehead prop would have to be his team’s next biggest after Leota, but there is competition with lock Oscar Clark also a big boy.
Both of them give Iona tremendous size in the lineouts and big bodies across the paddock. Iona have Hopo Leota, but this young Year 11 giant is on the rise as well and will be back next season.
Manaaki Bateman (St Patrick’s)
Manaaki Bateman is one of the smaller big boppers, but the thickly set, mobile prop is no tiny Tim. When he spins off a maul or hits a ruck, you feel his impact. The Australian schoolboy representative is a very strong and abrasive runner.
Denzel Savelino (St Patrick’s)
The powerful loose-head from St Patrick’s has big bopper written all over him.
On Saturday against an impressive St Laurence’s front row, Savelino stood tall, his carries combating those of Luka Smith and Huw Griffiths who were incredible.
Savelino’s locks Alex Howard and Harry Dows were also very tall, while hardworking No. 8 Cohen Taylor has the size and physicality to give opposition packs plenty of stick.
Tom Nadenic (St Laurence’s)
The towering St Laurence’s lock and captain has tree trunks for arms and is a man among boys.
He is the type of player that makes you regret picking rugby as a sport a little bit when you line up against him on halfway.
Ben Davis (St Laurence’s)
To give you perspective, mobile big man Davis is almost a head taller than boom Reds backrower John Bryant.
Davis is tall, well built and athletic, making him a wonderful running threat in close or from the scrum as well as a decoy runner for his backs.
Jackson Connor (Villanova)
The strength of the operation was No. 8 Connor, a Meninga Cup hardened forward with size and mobility.
He has held up his end of the bargain shifting from the centres to No. 8 this year. He is a big, mobile player who was one of his team’s best at the weekend.
Alex Brown (St Peters)
The big and tall lock from St Peters has been a treat in the lineouts this season as his team’s biggest player.
St Peters were light on size this year, but agile big man Brown was doing his best work in the forward pack alongside rangy flanker Daniel Norris.
Cruz Boxsell (Edmund’s)
The powerful No.13 in rugby league was also a destructive forward battering ram for the St Edmund’s First XV side.
A Brothers Ipswich junior, Boxsell has been very impressive this season.
ROUND 5
Tuesday: St Peters v Iona
Wednesday: St Patrick’s v Marist
Wednesday: SEC v SLC
Saturday: Padua v Villanova
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