Your club rugby guide: Colts 1, Premier, Women Players to Watch in season 2023
Here’s your ultimate club rugby guide to season 2023, with 100 Players to Watch from Premier, women’s and colts 1 rugby this year.
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Who will be the key players of 2023 in the club rugby season which is getting underway early on Saturday?
In this guide, we present the names of over 100 players from the Premier Rugby, women’s and colts one competitions who are set to feature heavily for their sides.
They have flair, speed and a hunger to exceed expectations in a season that has come around quickly due to the France Rugby World Cup in September.
FLETCHER SPICER’S AMAZING RISE FROM COLTS 3 TO SKIPPER
There’s GPS schoolboy stars from last year set to rock the colts competition, young outside backs an injury away from a run in first grade, countless Kiwis giving the Hospital Cup their first crack and plenty of Super W and Super Rugby weapons ready and raring to make an injection.
And don’t forget, the www.couriermail.com.au will again be providing weekend coverage of colts 1 and Women matches.
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MEET THE AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOYS
BROTHERS
PREMIER RUGBY
CAPTAIN: NOAH NIELSEN
Goal: To win a premiership. Simple as that. We want to play in the finals.
Ins and Outs: A couple. Sebastian Hanna has come over from Souths and Jono Kent, A Marist College Old Boy, has come across this year.
A couple boys from New Zealand have come over as well. But we have lost a bit of experience. Tom Moloney, who has been our captain for the last couple years. And Ben Hyne is a big loss for us. And we don’t have the Super Rugby guys who will be out most of the year.
X factor player: Mosiah Christian and Patrick James. Usually those two are our strike weapons who create a lot of attack for us. They’ll be good for us
Rookie on the rise: There’s a couple of young guys coming through, Harry Grant, and Jonte Connolly who is still really young. I think Grant will be in the mix. At No.10 he’s just crafty, plays his role. He doesn’t overplay or underplay his hand. Really solid.
Underrated:Jonte Connolly. He’s been in and around a few development programs but he’s an unreal player. I think he should be playing at a much higher level than he is at the moment.
Team to beat: Wests or Uni. We’re excited to come up against them.
GPS
PREMIER RUGBY
CAPTAIN: MICHAEL RICHARDS
Goal: Try and win it.
Ins and Outs:Dillon Wihongi has come from Brothers and Tonga Ma’afu from Norths. They’ll be good in the forward pack. Mafu came to Fiji with us, and he played great over there.
X factor player: We didn’t see much of Josh Collins last year so hopefully he will be fit and playing most of the year. Our young halfback Hudson Meyer who’s pretty good. He came from Toowoomba, and this is second year under his belt. He’s super fit and has a well rounded game. He’s tough, quick, can pass and kick and does a bit of everything.
Rookie on the rise: Hooker Tevita Kaitu’u looked sharp in the pre-season but I don't know when he’s coming back from injury.
Underrated: Second rowers Dan Bryne and Oliver Bartlett. they do so much work people don’t see, making them a bit underrated.
Team to beat: Any of the top teams, Brothers, UQ, and Easts who will be strong.
SUNNYBANK
PREMIER RUGBY
CAPTAIN: JUNIOR LALOIFI
Goal: Main goal is getting into the top four and performing well. At the same time I am excited to see where we can go. We seem like the dark horses so I am hoping to prove everyone wrong. I love that title.
Ins and Outs: Pita Halaifonua, who’s in the Reds development right now. In the first trial match he played bloody well. He scored three at flanker. He's a player I am keen to play with and watch.
X factor players: Our No.10 James Parkeye has just arrived from New Zealand. He’s got that flair, that little bit of Benji Marshall flair that I am excited to see and run off.
Rookies on the rise: The halfback Jayvan Scarff, he’s still in colts but he’s been coming and playing with prems. He's been playing bloody well so he's going to be exciting to watch when he comes up. He will definitely get a few games this year.
Underrated: Laloifi has only just returned to Sunnybank so he couldn’t decide just yet.
Team to beat: About five years ago when we lost to UQ in the grand final, that’s something I can’t get past. It would’ve been my first premiership so always beating UQ is amazing.
NORTHS
PREMIER RUGBY
HALFBACK: Connor O’Regan
Goal: We just want to fight all season. We had a tough season last year, so we need to stay focused.
Ins and Outs:Connor Higgins has come across from New Zealand to have a go here in Australia. He plays flanker, he’s been great so far. There’s also some electric boys coming up from colts.
X factor players:Joseph Veramu on the wing is super quick and can come up with something out of nothing. Harry Langbrige at No.10 too, he’s electric.
Rookies on the rise: Hamish Muir and Will McCulloch. Tyler Nukunuku in the back row. He played a few off the bench last year, and he should get some playing time after coming from colts 2.
Footnote:Hamish Muir is an elusive fullback and Villanova College Old Boy, while McCulloch is a speedy winger and Padua College Old Boy, who last year played for the Queensland Reds under-19s and Australian Schoolboy under-18s.
Underrated:Mitchell Wood. He can play in the back row and he’s been working hard.
Team to beat: Going into round 1 we want to start with a win so we have the confidence for the season.
UNIVERSITY
PREMIER RUGBY
CAPTAIN: PAT MORREY
X factor:Mac Grealy, we will have him a bit and I think he has a point to prove now. On his day he can be the most electric player in the competition.
Rookie on the rise:Joey Faulalo. He played a lot of reserve grade last year, this year he has had a great pre-season. He played really well in the trials and he will slot in the back row during the season.
Underrated:Brad Twidale. He knows the game very well. He’s a tough kid and a great defender. I’m hoping he has a good season, he flies under the radar.
Team to beat: Wests or Brothers. Wests had a great year last year, rightly so they came out on top. It’s hard to go back to back. The rivalry is always there with Brothers.
EASTS
PREMIER RUGBY
CAPTAIN: TOM MILOSEVIC
X factor player: No.13. Po has been a great pick up for the club. He has so much speed.
Rookie on the rise:Meli Dreu. He had a full season for us last year, and at fullback he is going to be good again. He played some sevens at the back end of last year for Qld as well.
Underrated:Aidan Leeming. Second rower for us. He gets through a heap of work on the field. He leads through his actions.
Team to beat: Brothers. For us there’s always a great rivalry between the clubs. Great home games. Watching their trial against the Reds Development XV, I think they look good.
SOUTHS
PREMIER RUGBY
CAPTAIN: KOHEN HERBERT
Goal (In Herbert’s first year at the club and as captain): I think hopefully we can compete with the top teams. Souths haven’t had the best rep in terms of winning in the last couple of years so I’m looking forward to getting back in the winning circle. I’m pretty sure I can lead the boys and get some wins. I don’t like losing. I’ve been in New Zealand for the last five years playing club rugby, playing in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) for the Bay of Plenty Steamers. I’m looking forward to ripping in.
Ins and Outs: This is Herbert’s first season with North’s after growing up in Queensland, playing juniors for the Nerang Bulls on the Gold Coast. He then went to Keebra Park SHS and played rugby league, before going to Pacific Pines and finally Downlands College.
X factor players:Tye James plays fullback/winger. He’s fast. I played with him when I was younger, he’s definitely one to look out for this year.
Rookies on the rise: Dominic Maclean our No.8 is only 19 and Trevor King. He’s only 17 at the moment. He was the Downlands First XV captain in 2022 (as was Herbert in 2017). He will definitely get a run once he turns 18. He’s a big boy, 6 foot three and 125kg. Only 17 but he will do damage.
Footnote: Trevor King was also an Australian Schoolboy representative with Will McCulloch.
Underrated:Riley Kerr our blindside flanker. He works really hard at training and when he gets his shot he goes really well.
Team to beat: Round 1 for us now is the focus. We have Norths at home and getting them back after they beat us in the trial.
BOND UNIVERSITY
PREMIER RUGBY
PLAYER REP: ANGUS BLYTH (will be back at end of season once Super Rugby is done)
Goal: We want finals. Last few years we have only just missed out so we are trying to put our best foot forward and grab some wins early in the season.
Ins and Outs: –
Footnote:Wilson Blyth is injured at the minute but should be back soon. He has had a strong pre-season with the Reds.
X factor players: The usual guys Jake Upfield, he’s a great player. Joey Fiddock and Spencer Jeans as well. A few good backs who are sharp.
Rookies on the rise: I’m excited to see Jack Winchester back from the Western Force. He’s back from Western Australia now, so I am keen to see him back in a Sharks jersey.
Underrated: –
Team to beat: The bigger teams like UQ. Last year we had two close games against them. Wests and GPS are always strong.
WESTS
PREMIER RUGBY
CAPTAIN: FLETCHER SPICER
Goal: It’s important for us not to get carried away with accolades. It’s about putting our best performances in each week and if we focus on all doing our best, come game day, regardless of the result, we will be able to look at ourselves and be able to say we gave it our all. Playing for the emblem on our jersey and the Bulldogs community.
Ins and Outs: We lost a lot of players but it was good we lost them because they got contracts, the boys levelling up. Connor Anderson and Ethan Dobbins are with the Reds, Angelo Smith is with the Rebels and Ben Navosalogi is with the Reds and Australian Sevens.
Harry Higgins retired. And Carter Gordon is with the Rebels.
X factor player: No.10 Jack Evenden is one to watch this year coming from the Vikings in Canberra. Dan Hawke our backs coach and winger Charlie Tupu has come up from Warringa.
Rookie on the rise:
Underrated: I don't know if he's underrated but Liam Usher. He’s a workhorse for a prop. He covers some ground, I think he has really levelled up his game.
Our trackers show how hard he is working.
Team to beat: Sunnybank. They've got new coaching staff so maybe they've turned a leaf. They are a bit of a wildcard.
WOMEN’S RUGBY
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
BROOKE SAVELIO
X-factor:Charlotte Brown. She plays in the forward, is brutal and will run at anything and anyone.
Rookie on the Rise:Nena Williamson who plays lock and flanker Tomai Kahukuranui. Both girls are young. They are still at school but have a lot of knowledge behind them. They are fearless and willing to learn.
Underrated: In the backs Giverny Robinson has played a lot of years at UQ but this year she has a lot of confidence behind her.
Team to Beat: Bond who are fit, strong and play a wide game. And they are the premiers.
WOMEN’S RUGBY
BROTHERS
MABEL JOHNSTON
X-factor: We have a new girl who has come over from New Zealand, Bec Davidson, who plays centre, a solid, strong centre who will be great for us.
Rookie on the rise:Caitlyn Fisher. She has just finished school and is mean, keen – a fighter who I think will go well for us.
Underrated:Jordan Manega is our halfback. She has played representative touch and flies under the radar. She is very good on her feet and has great chat.
Team to beat: Bond because they are national champions.
WOMEN’S RUGBY
EASTS
HAIDEE HEAD
X-factor:Loretta Lealiifano is explosive off the line and so strong
Rookie on the rise: Piper Flynn came into our squad last year and is improving. She will play fullback.
Underrated:Maltina Brown will play front row and she is so fast. She has to be one of the fastest front rowers I have seen run. And she is really strong and explosive.
Team to beat: Bond because they beat us in the grand final.
WOMEN’S RUGBY
NORTHS
MOLLY CARTER
X-factor: Caitlyn Lofthouse will play front row or No.8. She is a never-say-die player who always tackles anything that runs at her. She will never give up.
Rookie on the Rise: Heather Latu. Her brothers have played rugby at Norths for a few years and she has decided to give it a crack. She will play front row.
Underrated:Aislin Steele will play front row and we like her because she runs the ball hard and hits really hard as well.
Team to beat: Wests.
WOMEN’S RUGBY
BOND UNIVERSITY
JEMMA BEMROSE
X-factor: Melanie Wilks is just so dynamic and elusive. She breaks the line and it is so hard to stop her.
Rookie on the rise: We have a lot of girls Georgia Gray, who has come from Sevens, is exciting. She is still learning the game, but I expect once she learns the team, she can deliver.
Underrated: We have a lot of underrated girls and I could name my whole team because a lot of them deserve to be in the Reds squad. But I’d go with Grace Baker (lock) and Zoe Hannah (flanker). They are people who do the one per cent plays all of the time.
Team to beat: Easts. We just beat them in the grand final and I think they will come back this year really hungry.
WOMEN’S RUGBY
SOUTHS
MARY TUAANA
X-factor:Ruby Finau. She plays No.12 and is a terrific player with a wealth of knowledge behind her. Having her there is vital for us.
Rookie on the Rise:Debbie Burese at centre or wing has just come in. She is a Fijian girl and is an absolute gun, strong and quick.
Underrated: My sister plays No.10 and No.15. She has a big boot on her which is an asset.
Team to Beat: Bond because they are strong, quick and fast. They are structured.
WOMEN’S RUGBY
SUNNYBANK
SAM LINGMAN
X-factor: Ana Afuie is an ex-Hurricanes player and will bring the squad a lot of value.
Rookie on the Rise: She is not so much a rookie on the rise, but she is new to the team – Anna Drotini. She is a former Bond player who will bring a lot to our front row.
Underrated:Violet Edwards. Each week she is getting better and better, every round she comes up with something special on the paddock. She will play wing.
Team to Beat: Easts always seem to pull through toward the end and physically they are pretty strong.
WOMEN’S RUGBY
WESTS
DILLYN BLACKBURN
X-factor: No.8 Allana Sikimeti. She is an amazing player, great on the field and is a great talker.
Rookie on the Rise:Tiarrie Fanuatinu will play second row and has arrived from Queensland country where I was a teammate of hers last season. She is an amazing player.
Underrated:Ariadna Paissanidis is amazing and is underrated because she does things which gets her team rewards. She will play hooker.
WOMEN’S RUGBY
GPS
TINA CAMPBELL
X-factor: We have a few players who are pretty special but Tahlia Lewis at fullback. She is actually the twin sister of our No.9 (Sarah) and is really reliable under the high ball, has got explosive speed and she makes breaks. A bit of an x-factor
Footnote: Sarah Lewis is in the Queensland Reds Super W squad.
Rookie on the Rise:Bella Coll. She has matured as a player after returning from rugby league. She has really stepped up and developed her game at No.10.
Underrated: Hooker Vera Kite has been playing for a long time, is so reliable and she needs more credit.
Team to Beat: Easts always and Souths will have a strong year. And Sunnybank has potential.
SOUTHS
COLTS PLAYERS TO WATCH
COACH CIAN O’CONNOR
Trevor King:
He has a big physical presence as an 18-year-old. He has also been included into the Red’s academy.
Dre-dyn Cruze Laban:
Watch out for this exciting young fullback with great work rate.
Denzil Perkins:
Perkins was a track and field sprinter who took some time out of rugby last year to work on his size. He is a very exciting prospect with his power and speed.
Dom Thygesen:
A good all around sportsman, he has developed further in the pre-season after playing in the QLD 18s. He is now transitioning into the back row and has great size and power for a young man.
Footnote:Taj Annan, who was at Easts last year, will be with Souths this year. This means Annan will be joining the 2022 Under 20s Player of the Year Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in the backline (Premier grade). Perhaps this is a sign of the Queensland Reds future No.10 and No.12 pairing.
BROTHERS
COLTS PLAYERS TO WATCH
COACH GREG BEAVER
Tanna Wilson:
There were expectations Wilson will grow into an even better player this season after his experience playing for the Reds under 19s at the end of last season following a consistent club season. “We can’t wait to see what he brings to the group in 2023,’’ said coach Greg Beaver.
Hunter Lim:
After a solid pre-season with the Premier grade and the Reds 19s he will bring excellent trial form into the season. “Hunter will be a guiding influence on what will be a fresh and talented backline,’’ said Brothers coach Greg Beaver.
SUNNYBANK
COLTS PLAYERS TO WATCH
COACH BRENDAN UNDERWOOD
Josh Crevola:
Crevola has made the trip to the Dragons all the way from Perth where he is looking to play in the premier colts competition. “He is a large ball carrying centre with kicking options,’’ said coach Brendan Underwood.
Fehi Mehina:
Coach Underwood describes Mehina as a fabulous workhorse. “Playing hooker, he works very hard to get around the paddock and is happy to do the grind.’’
EASTS
COLTS PLAYERS TO WATCH
COACH; TYRELL BARKER
Sam Farrer:
Farrar will hit the ground running, a year old and a season wiser following last season’s experience. Watch for his scheming wide blindside work with running or creating, and his kicks from the ruck.
Joe Liddy:
A natural leader who every team would welcome, Liddy is a workhorse flanker who will be even bigger and strong this season.
George Stoddart:
From the Tigers famous Stoddart family, this robust, rough and tumble No.8 will deliver week in, week out, as sure as the sun comes up.
Tom Twaddell:
The modern day Skylab is tall timber and a certain ball winner from lineout. But the big bloke contributes plenty around the field and will show the benefits of playing and training in rep squads.
Luke Hatherell:
A Mr Natural who was a schoolboy cricket ace, he will be an imposing midfield presence in a team which will again push hard for the premiership.
Jarrod Homan:
The inside centre had a spectacular 2022, making a living anywhere in the backline. He really can play anywhere because of his pace, step and strength in contact.
We will be hearing a lot from him this year.
Blake Davis:
Fullback Davis is another young gun Tiger who would’ve handed BBC back-to-back GPS First XV premierships in 2021 had covid not got in the way.
Of course Nudgee’s Rob Toia would have made it difficult but BBC did have Davis, Homan, Taj Annan, Harry McLaughlin Phillips and Zac Hough.
That is the definition of firepower.
GPS
COLTS PLAYERS TO WATCH
COACH SIO KITE
Harry Gould:
The robust tough prop is renowned in set piece and is a strong carry of the ball. Props get better with age and no one will put it over this bloke this season.
Matthias Maugatai:
This blindside flanker is just what the doctor ordered for Jeeps this season – he is physical and leads with actions.
Joe Doljanin:
A centre, Doljanin is a bit of a wildcard. He is still learning the game but has something you can’t coach – pace. And he is very smart as well.
WESTS
COLTS PLAYERS TO WATCH
COACH ROSCOE DEACON
Jack Spencer:
West’s young squad which includes lots of new players will be spearheaded by prop Jack Spencer, a former Queensland 18s representative who has joined from UQ. “He is a good leader who has had a positive impact on the young group,’’ said coach Jack Spencer.
Ryan Shaw:
A first season colts one player from Brisbane Grammar School where he was coached by an old favourite of Wests – champion five-eight Phil Mooney – Shaw will play at fly half. He is a Reds academy player and the son of old boys Will Shaw, a Bulldogs stalwart.
Lachlan Kerr:
The veteran of the side, Kerr is coming off a strong 2022 and he will look to develop as an individual, while further aiding the team effort. He is noted for a strong kicking game.
Ned Kendall:
From Ipswich Grammar School, Kendall has a high work rate and great aerialskills. He will be a welcomed addition.
Dominic Kallquist:
A First season colts player from Rockhampton Grammar School, Kallquist brings versatility. He will play outside centre, but can play a number of positions.
NORTHS
COLTS PLAYERS TO WATCH
COACH TOM DONNELL
Jack Hussey:
Hussey is a crafty fly half with good vision and a solid kicking game. The Eagles were in good hands with him in the side.
Dan Healy:
Healy must be a coach’s dream. Originally from Padua College, he is a courageous tight forward who will give his all. His experience from last season’s successful winter would have hardened his resolve.
Sam Dickie:
Every side needs a finisher like Dickie. Why? Because he has pace, and lots of it.
UNIVERSITY
COLTS PLAYERS TO WATCH
COACH MATT INGRAM
Charlie Wigan:
The prop from the Darling Downs is a very talented player capable of performing in both the tight and the wider channels as a prop.
Dynamic, in the Reds Academy, and has one of the best lineout throws in the colts competition.
Jack Booker:
Booker is a set piece specialist and a powerful ball runner.
The prop played for the Queensland Reds under-19s side in last year’s National Championships. They came second behind the ‘Tahs.
Will Robinson:
Robinson is a dynamic backrower who will captain the Red Heavies in season 2023, which just so happens to mark his third year being in the team.
He also played in the Queensland under-19s last year.
Tom Manca:
Manca is a cheeky scrumhalf who is always a running threat from the base.
The Sunshine Coast product came of age in last year’s Colts 1 final against Easts.
He will be vice-captain with Robinson the main man in charge,
Siliva Leofa:
Here’s one to really keep tabs on. The Brisbane State High Old Boy has silky smooth ball skills, and will really spice things up in what is his first season of Colts footy.
An elusive ball runner who is deceptively physical.
Matt Brice:
Brice moved down from the Noosa Dolphins after being selected for the Queensland under-19s and Reds Academy in 2022.
He is an intense competitor and a great fullback with the fundamentals down pat.
He was a plesant surprise in last year’s National Championships.
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