Australian Schoolboys: Does your NRL team boast a future star?
The best young talent across the country will combine for the Australian Schoolboys team and a host have already been snapped up by NRL clubs. Check out who’s been selected and who they’re contracted to.
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The Australian Schoolboys rugby league team naturally has a strong history of delivering the NRL’s next generation of stars.
The best young talent across the country combine as the top 17 players that often produces a string of graduates to the game’s top level.
The 2018 side featured rising Brisbane Broncos playmaker Thomas Deardon who has already made the leap to NRL level less than a year after donning the green and gold while juggling algebra and Shakespeare.
The 2017 outfit provided another elite class of talent including Queensland and Brisbane star David Fifita, Sharks sensation Bronson Xerri. South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Campbell Graham, St George Illawarra’s Zac Lomax and last weekend’s Parramatta Eels debutant Ethan Parry.
With the 2019 Australian Schoolboys team recently announced for their one-off Test with New Zealand on September 29, we delve into the background of each player named to see if your NRL club boasts a future rising star.
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Mitchell Black, St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead, Newcastle Knights
The crafty hooker will look to emulate fellow Newcastle local and club icon Danny Buderus in transitioning from junior star to top grade rake. With Buderus working at the Knights and NSWRL, Black will have plenty of tutelage to aid the development of his game.
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Jayden Clarkson, Wavell State High School, Brisbane Broncos
Emerging from a freakish group of juniors at Wynnum Manly Seagulls, the front-row enforcer is attracting attention from around the NRL but is currently locked into a deal with the Broncos.
Mathew Feagai, Illawarra Sports High, Berkeley, Illawarra Steelers
Products of the Riverina competition in country NSW, Mathew Feagai and twin brother Max have risen to prominence since moving to the Illawarra at the beginning of 2019. The nifty winger looks a strong prospect for the Red V in years to come.
Max Feagai, Illawarra Sports High, Berkeley, Illawarra Steelers
The Leeton-born centre possesses plenty of size and power and has starred in the SG Ball competition alongside brother Mathew. The pair dominated the right edge for the Steelers this season and could prove an elite combination at higher levels in the future. Brett and Josh Morris 2.0 perhaps?
Tyler Field, Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown, Parramatta Eels
The talented five-eighth is a savvy playmaker and needs look no further for inspiration than fellow Eels half Dylan Brown who debuted for the blue and gold this season at just 18-years-old.
Lachlan Gale, Marcellin College, Randwick, South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Mascot junior is a try-scoring front-rower having bagged three tries in his past three games for the Rabbitohs’ Jersey Flegg side. Gale was named among the Most Valuable Players at the 2019 Australian Schoolboys Championships. Jersey Flegg coach Ben Rogers says Gale has a strong carry and is particularly impressive around the ruck in defence.
Thomas Giles, Marcellin College, Randwick, Cronulla Sharks
The Cronulla prop forward earned man-of-the-match honours for NSWCCC against fierce rivals NSWCHS in their clash at the Schoolboys Championships. While a stack of top grade forward depth will likely keep Giles in the lower grades in coming years, the impeding exits of a number of ageing middle forwards could present an opportunity as the big man develops over time.
Jack Howarth, Brisbane Boys College, Melbourne Storm
Rugby union clubs are reportedly circling the enormously promising Easts Tigers back-rower. Tall and fast, Howarth is fleet-footed for an edge back-rower and is loaded with potential.
Cooper Jenkins, Hunter Valley Grammar School, Ashtonfield, Newcastle Knights
The back-row/lock is a promising local talent in the Hunter. A stacked forward pack at the Knights could force the young gun to bide his time throughout the junior system, but the future certainly looks promising.
Samuel Loizou, Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown, Parramatta Eels
Patrician Brothers Blacktown have dominated the Australian side over the past decade, with Loizou adding to their honour role in 2019. The gun outside back will be looking to crack into the Eels’ top grade in coming years.
Brendon Piakura, Palm Beach Currumbin State High School, Gold Coast, Brisbane Broncos
Born in Newcastle, raised on the Gold Coast, Piakura could be the subject of Origin eligibility debate in years to come. The classy back-rower has ball-playing ability and looks destined to don the Broncos badge in the near future.
Toby Sexton, Palm Beach Currumbin State High School, Gold Coast, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The gifted playmaker partnered Brisbane NRL rookie Thomas Deardon at Palm Beach Currumbin in 2018. Sexton will be looking to emulate the success of his former halves partner at the Bulldogs who have struggled to lock down regular playmakers in recent years.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kirwan State High School, Townsville, North Queensland Cowboys
Contracted with North Queensland until 2022, the lightening quick fullback was recently clocked at 10.85 over 100m. The indigenous flyer has been mentored by Townsville Blackhawks Mal Meninga Cup coach and Cowboys legend Matt Bowen. Tabua-Fidow is expected to train full-time with the Cowboys in 2020.
Jackson Topine, East Hills Boys High, Panania, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The gun Bulldogs back-rower won the club’s SG Ball player of the year award and went on to captain the NSW U18s side this season. Brimming with talent, Topine is locked in at Belmore until the end of 2022 and will likely push for a top grade spot in the near future due to the depleted NRL roster, despite boasting a strong back-row contingent.
Alec Tuitavake, St Augustine’s College, Brookvale, Manly Sea Eagles
The barnstorming Manly prop followed up his NSW U18s selection with a berth in the Australian Schoolboys team. Outside of star props Marty Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake, Manly’s lack of depth up front could present an opportunity for Tuitavake in 2020. Tuitavake was named among the Most Valuable Players at the 2019 Australian Schoolboys Championships.
Sam Walker, Ipswich Grammar School, Ipswich, Sydney Roosters
The son of former NRL player Ben Walker, Sam was poached by the Roosters from the Broncos and looms as a potential long-term replacement for Cooper Cronk. The classy halfback won player of the tournament at the 2019 Australian Schoolboys Championships and steered the Queensland U18s to victory in Origin this year.
Reece Walsh, Keebra Park State High School, Gold Coast, Brisbane Broncos
The versatile halfback/fullback is rapidly rising through the ranks and is a contender to earn a crack in the Broncos’ struggling spine in coming seasons. Walsh was named among the Most Valuable Players at the 2019 Australian Schoolboys Championships.
Originally published as Australian Schoolboys: Does your NRL team boast a future star?
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