Queensland Reds scrumhalf Moses Sorovi still draws inspiration from AIC success

The smallest sides often produce the biggest moments. Just ask Moses Sorovi, the Queensland Reds halfback who helped SPLC to their historic AIC title.

Current Queensland Reds halfback Moses Sorovi pictured back in his school playing days at St Peters Lutheran College 2012, (Moses is seated front row middle, hands on legs) Picture Supplied

• SCHOOL PROFILE: St Pat’s

The smallest sides often produce the biggest moments in schoolboy rugby.

Just ask Queensland Reds halfback Moses Sorovi.

The 22-year-old attended St Peters Lutheran College from 2010 to 2013 and was a key member of their undefeated premiership side in 2012.

That season has entered school legend, passed down from player to player, and is doubly important to Sorovi, whose individual career took off from there.

His pace and slick hands saw him bookmarked for Australian Schoolboys the following year but Sorovi will forever cherish his place in the 2012 side.

“That season is where all my best memories are from — that stuff doesn’t ever leave me,” he said.

Reds halfback Moses Sorovi maintains a close connection with St Peters Lutheran College. Photo: Brendan Hertel, QRU

“Winning for St Peters was massive, especially that year. It’s not like other teams you play for where you win and say, “oh it’s another win”. For me, winning a rugby game with Saints was like winning a premiership with any other team.”

AIC’s only co-ed competitor hadn’t tasted First XV success since 2000 and came into 2012 having won just one game the previous season and none in 2010.

So when Saints upset Marist College Ashgrove on their home track in Round 2 that year, people started to take notice.

The 27-26 victory was sealed with two tries in the dying minutes and paved way for the school’s first ever perfect season.

Sorovi (seated front row middle, hands on legs) celebrates with his St Peters Lutheran College teammates after completing an undefeated season in 2012. Picture Supplied

Sorovi still cracks a smile at the memory of their unexpected title.

“I just remember being around the boys and loving playing footy together. I think there’s as much or more pride playing for school than any other team I’ve played for.”

The 22-year-old is seeing that same camaraderie emerge at Ballymore under second-year coach Brad Thorn.

“There is a bit of that same culture there now, everyone’s good friends with each other and that reminds me of St Peters,” he said.

A rampant Iona denied Sorovi back to back AIC titles in 2013 and Saints are yet to recapture the winning mentality of five years ago but there’s a reason for optimism this year.

Sorovi passes during a Brisbane Tens clash with Crusaders in 2017. Picture: Liam Kidston.

A strong indigenous program combined with homegrown talent should give head coach Andrew Carey plenty of options for Tuesday’s Round 1 clash with Marist at Mayer Oval and if Saints’ traditionally mobile pack can match up physically to the likes of St Laurence’s and Padua, the Indooroopilly boys could cause a few upsets.

Rod Hauser (1975-1979) is St Peters’ most notable rugby alumni. The 15-Test scrumhalf debuted against Japan in Brisbane and combined in the halves with Paul McLean on ten occasions.

ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE

AIC Premierships: 2

Most recent: 2012 (undefeated)

FOUR SAINTS STANDOUTS: Rod Hauser, Moses Sorovi, Mark Harris, George Morseu