Another future rugby star rolls off the Gregory Terrace production line

The distinctive red-and-black jersey of Gregory Terrace has been worn by a legion of rugby stars of days gone by - and the future is bright too. See Terrace’s team of the decade here.

When Xavier Boyle was a stripling in Year 8 and 9, he would admire the bullocking ball-carries and mayhem ignited by 2016 First XV standout Harry Wilson in the distinctive red-and-black jersey of Gregory Terrace.

One of the greatest assets within GPS schools rugby is the vivid imagery that senior players always provide for those kids in short pants, in the stands cheering, who have their own motivation and dreams sharpened.

Gregory Terrace lock Xavier Boyle is the school’s latest Australian Schoolboy representative. Picture: Paul Seiser, SPA Images

Lock Boyle, 17, is a classic example.

Not only has he developed into a pillar for this year’s Terrace pack but his resonant performances for Queensland last week have earned him selection as the school’s latest Australian Schoolboy representative.

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Wilson’s pathway has since taken him to a starring role for the Australian Under-20s in Argentina and a Reds squad spot.

“Harry Wilson was the guy I always watched in the First XV for the style of game he played,” the 1.95m Boyle said. “That’s good as a kid because you see what you can become in the future and how the school can help you along the way in footy.”

Former Gregory Terrace star Harry Wilson in action for Australia at the World Rugby U20 Championships this year. Picture: Javier Escobar/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Boyle jokes there was no athletic ability handed down in the DNA of dad Danny, a long-time referee, but his strong ball-carting, lineout skills, workhorse ways and mature outlook have come from somewhere.

Flanker Louis Jorgensen will skipper Terrace this season from the backrow where old boys David Croft, Liam Gill and 2018 skipper Will Roach once excelled.

Sharp finisher Glen Vaihu has been recommissioned as a centre to add extra punch because line-busting 2018 centre Mayson Hill is a loss now he has returned to Western Australia.

Top prop Emerson Treasure was ruled out of the Queensland Schoolboys side with an ankle injury and it will cost him at least two games of the GPS season.

Queensland Schoolboys captain Keenan Timu on the charge. Picture: Paul Seiser, SPA Images

Terrace have been without a victory over great rivals Nudgee College since rising Reds dynamo Isaac Lucas was at the helm in 2016 so new coach Ryan Schultz will already have the August 3 visit to Jack Ross Oval circled as a target.

“My fondest school rugby memory was the final game of 2016 … it was my last for the school, we beat Nudgee in a tight game in the wet, big Harry had a blinder and there was no better way to finish,” Lucas said.

“The camaraderie built into us from those school seasons and buying into the same goal really helps shape your ideas in rugby.”

Terrace has produced some outstanding sides over the years and few schools have enjoyed a greater era than between 1977-81 when five premierships were won.

Wallabies icon Michael Lynagh was the golden thread for much of that period and wild-haired lock Damien Frawley led the undefeated 1980 side which swamped rivals by a collective 206-23 points avalanche.

GPS PREMIERSHIPS: 10

MOST RECENT: 2004

GREGORY TERRACE TEAM OF THE DECADE SO FAR

1. Kyle Leofa (2014)

2. Andrew Ready (2010)

3. Josh Nasser (2016)

4. Pat Carrigan (2015)

5. Harry Wilson (2017)

6. Connor Moroney (2014)

7. Will Roach (2018)

8. Tyrone Metusela-Suapaia (2018)

9. Angus Fowler (2013)

10. Isaac Lucas (2016)

11. Glen Vaihu (2019)

12. Bailey Ralston (2016)

13. Harry Parker (2010)

14. Will Eadie (2016)

15. Tom Lucas (2010)