GPS rugby 2018: Season preview, team line-ups for opening round

THE captains have been announced and team line-ups revealed for this weekend’s opening round. JIM TUCKER previews the 100th year of GPS schools rugby competition.

• 10 of the all-time best from each GPS school

ONLY in the Blyth family do you wear the little brother tag when you are a 2m tower like Wilson Blyth, the new lock in The Southport School First XV.

Blyth’s debut on Saturday when TSS host Churchie on the Gold Coast comes just two years after the First XV swansong of brother Angus, the recent 2.04m debutant for the Queensland Reds.

The pasta choices at the unlimited buffet for TSS boarders are certainly working to fill the empty legs of the new lock nicknamed “Little Pete.”

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Proud brother Angus with Wilson Blyth (right) after their First XV jersey presentation at The Southport School.

Nudgee College captain and prop Harrison Vella presented with his First XV jersey by principal Peter Fullagar. Picture: Nudgee College

Wilson has copped the nickname as a play on the “two-metre Peter” tag that Angus wore when he arrived at the school.

The Southport School v Churchie

At TSS, 2.10pm

The TSS-Churchie clash is one of the feature clashes on opening day to the 100-Year celebrations of the GPS Association.

The schools have each won or shared two premierships since 2010 and are again among the favourites for this season’s honour.

Tough, compact hooker Zac Crothers will captain Churchie fresh off his strong week for the Queensland Schoolboys in Sydney which earned him Australian Schoolboys squad selection.

Fred Fewtrell is a key figure in the mature Churchie pack as a third-year player.

TEAMS

TSS: Dion Samuela, Zach Palmer, Ronan Kapi, Tyler Wright, Hamish Roberts, Campbell Parata, Spencer Jeans, Reno Gerrard, Hugh Robinson, Tom Van der Schyff (c), Beau Douglas, Wilson Blyth, Zane Nonggorr, Boyd Radel, Tyrell Kopua

Churchie: Wayne Bilston, Jacob Middleton-Pol, Izi Sword, Ben Stoddart, Harry Carrigan, Charlie Howard, Aaron Prosser, Angus Ogilvie (c), Connor McKinlay, Will MacPherson, Jack Edwards, Fred Fewtrell, John-Paul Tominiko, Zac Crothers, Max Drummond.

Queensland Schoolboys rugby captain Tom Van der Schyff on the charge. Picture: Karen Watson, Rugby Aust

BBC v Gregory Terrace

At BBC, 2.15pm

Brisbane Boys’ College flyhalf Carter Gordon will have a pacy back three to unleash at home against Gregory Terrace.

Fullback Jack Bowyer and wingers Shayden Stevens and Xavier Savage, from a rugby league background, all have gas to finish any chances created.

Gordon’s game management already stands out at GPS level but having Shane Drahm, the former Reds No.10, as coach will keep enhancing this important side of his game.

Without the imposing Trevor Hosea at lock, Jack Gallagher’s efforts in the engine room will count extra.

Will Roach will lead Terrace from the backrow where David Croft and Liam Gill have excelled in the school’s recent history.

Roach has just won selection in the Australian Schoolboys squad.

Year 11 student Patrick Elekana is in the No.10 role for the red-and-blacks.

BBC: Jack Bowyer, Shayden Stevens, Dougal Hulme, Tetuai Raoren, Xavier Savage, Carter Gordon (c), Lachie Kahl, Jack Kelly, Luis Plazibat, Jacob Blyton, Jack Gallagher, Clancy Doe, Oscar Ruru, Jake Tierney, Blair Paterson.

Gregory Terrace: Mone Ma’afu, Reilly See, Mayson Hill, Dan Condon, Glen Vaihu, Patrick Elekana, Will Kirk, Will Roach (c), Louis Jorgensen, Tyrone Metusela-Suapaia, Xavier Boyle, Ben Clifford, Malvin Mavaega, Angus Dillman, Emmerson Treasure.

Nudgee College v BSHS

At Ross Oval, 2.15pm

Perth product Reesjan Pasitoa will wear the famous Nudgee College No.10 jersey against Brisbane State High at Ross Oval.

His positive efforts for the Queensland Schoolboys last week at inside centre will feed his confidence for a good start to the season.

Up front, prop Harrison Vella has been honoured with the captaincy.

Outside centre Joshua Flook is maturing into a fine all-round centre with an unselfish ability to feed the team’s exciting finishers.

Moses Jones, the younger brother of former Wallaby Quade Cooper, is stepping into the flyhalf role for BSHS.

Centre-winger Jordan Petaia’s rise from the school’s First XV as a fullback last year to impressive Reds debutant at just 18 this year shows how the pathway from BSHS can click.

Up front, lock Zeph Tuinona is an excellent source of lineout ball.

First XV coach Andrew Scotney (far right) and the Nudgee College First XV presented with their jerseys at this week's school assembly. Picture: Nudgee College

TEAMS

Nudgee College: Daniel Atkinson, Ethan Robins, Joshua Flook, Henry Smith, Jangala Bennett, Reesjan Pasitoa, Hugo Smith, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Thomas Campbell, Matthew Engelbrecht, Darcy Schostakowski, Charlie Hayes, Harrison Vella (c), Tevita Kaitu’u, Jacob Wallace.

Brisbane State High: Grant Tuisamoa, Tau Tuisamoa, Sam Sili, Francis Pona, Izeah Day English, Moses Jones, Luke Waldie, Tom Duke, Chizzy Vaka, Wian Joubert, Sam McKenzie, Zeph Tuinona, Tom Fowler, Nesta Mahina (c), Linston Tuimvale.

Ipswich Grammar v Brisbane Grammar

At IGS Sports Fields, Brassall, 2.15pm

Prop Emile Tuimavave has the honour of leading Brisbane Grammar as First XV captain this season.

In the backs, centre Dennis Waight will look to reprise the eye-catching form for Queensland Schoolboys which won him selection in the Australian Schoolboys training squad.

For Ipswich Grammar, bulldozing prop Romeo Tanielu is a guarantee of strong go-forward metres if used properly.

Flyhalf Meli Dreu has an unorthodox attacking streak which will make IGS a dangerous opponent. He will play outside new halfback James Darby after the ankle injury to Kalani Thomas.

Brisbane Grammar’s jersey ceremony for (from left) Alex Davies, Nicholas Grice and captain Emile Tuimavave. Supplied: BGS

TEAMS

Ipswich Grammar: Thomas Case, Ethan King, Jordan Carriera, Clyde Rapilla (c), Christian Krause, Meli Dreu, James Darby, Lance Bagon, Erik Pountain, Conor O’Reilly, GJ Faulalo, Solomon Tasi, Noah Zuna, PJ Costello, Romeo Tanielu.

Brisbane Grammar: Hugo Thew, Ryan Ah Wek, Dennis Waight, Daejearn Asi, Harry Barker, Archie Halliday, Tom Mooney, Oscar Skerman, Kade Wallace, Ben Hains, Will Egan, Anthony Buswell, Emile Tuimavave (c), Nicholas Grice, Alex Davies.

O’Callaghan Cup: Downlands v Toowoomba Grammar

at Downlands, 2.20pm

Downlands: Mac Grealy, Renzo Loulanting, Tom Gore (c), Michael Van Rooyen, Darcey Reed, Kyle Turei, Kai Duggan, Riley Edge, Declan O’Dempsey, Jasper Curran, Michael Ryan, Alec Mckay, Matthew Ziedler, Henry Tonkins, Peter Halapio

Toowoomba Grammar: Baxter Franey, Seaton Siegried, David Armstrong, Lachlan Martyn, Callum Lyons, Jake Sargood, Henry Wunsch, Ronin Hassall, Dougal Gray, Tom Cole (c), Will Chaffey, Harry Tombs, Tim Faingaanuku, Nicholas Sampson, George Perry.

DON’T MISS

Monday: We take a dive into the superstar nursery of Brisbane State High School

Every Tuesday: Weekly GPS rugby wrap online and in The Courier-Mail newspaper