Churchie profile: Jaydn Su’A pretended to be Kalyn Ponga

All sorts of shenanigans happen in schoolboy footy, but one of the more memorable moments for Churchie was when Jayden Su’A put the headgear on and pretended to be Kalyn Ponga.

The only way to put a handbrake on Kalyn Ponga’s running magic during Churchie’s 2014 Dream Team year was to have him replaced by an impersonator.

The class of 2014 had already swept undefeated through the GPS rugby season when that comical moment did arise, when the pressure was off at the All Schools Sevens tournament played on the Gold Coast.

Forward teammate Jaydn Su’A pulled on Ponga’s No.15 jersey, added his trademark headgear for effect, and ran out as a bogus fullback.

The champion 2014 Churchie team which won GPS schools rugby undefeated. Kalyn Ponga (2nd from right), Mack Mason (holding trophy), and Jaydn Su’A (to his right).

The classic bit of schoolboy fun only came unstuck when Su’A spilt the opening kick-off.

It’s moments like these as much as victories and tries which get re-told when members of this one-off group get together.

Ponga, of course, has gone on to become a magnetic figure in the NRL and at State of Origin level, which is of little surprise to those who ogled at his schoolboy stepping, sharp changes of pace, and offloads like one around-the-corner gem when horizontal for a Su’A try.

Su’A is a Bronco-turned-Rabbitoh in the NRL and the remarkable steps into the professional ranks by so many from that Churchie team mark it as a one-off crop.

Brodie Croft smashed it on the wing for Churchie. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

Melbourne Storm halfback Brodie Croft happily ran amok on the wing for Churchie with a try glut, because NSW Waratah Mack Mason kept him out of the flyhalf jersey.

Backrowers Liam Wright, a Wallaby in South Africa this week, and Angus Scott-Young are on the rise at the Queensland Reds in rugby, and centre Izaia Perese is having a bumper season in the Intrust Super Cup with Redcliffe since switching codes from the Reds.

Harley Fox (Souths) and Harry Nucifora (Bond University) have made eye-catching jumps into Brisbane club rugby with their eyes on bigger breaks, while Richie Asiata (Easts) is now playing in New Zealand.

Angus Scott-Young has fond memories of his time with Churchie. Picture: Anesh Debiky

“That Churchie team was pretty special when you look at what the boys have achieved five years on,” Scott-Young said.

“Kalyn was super-talented and I remember the (92-0) win over Brisbane Grammar particularly, because he was either setting up tries or running 50m to score them (four).”

It was a highlights team, just as the 2005 premiership group were with David Pocock and Quade Cooper.

MORE SCHOOL PROFILES:

●GREGORY TERRACE

●BRISBANE GRAMMAR

●TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR

●BRISBANE STATE HIGH

“Brodie’s unselfishness was typical of a humble and hardworking team because he played the whole season out of position,” 2014 Churchie coach Jason Gilmore said.

New faces under new captain Aidan King and new coach Dale Roberson have a challenge ahead to match last year’s 5-3 record.

Wayne Bilston, 2018’s best back, opted out of Year 12 to return to Darwin, which means Sam Farrar is the new all-round package at fullback.

Izi Sword has made the switch from centre to No.8.

GPS Premierships: 18

Most recent: 2015

NIC DARVENIZA’S TEAM OF THE DECADE

1. Richie Asiata (2014)

2. Zac Crothers (2018)

3. Joel Kuchel (2015)

4. Fred Fewtrell (2018)

5. Harry Hockings (2015)

6. Angus Scott-Young (2014)

7. Liam Wright (2014)

8. Harley Fox (2014)

9. Harry Nucifora (2014)

10. Brodie Croft (2015)

11. Monty Ioane (2012)

12. Jaydn Su’a (2015)

13. Izaia Perese (2014)

14. Tristan Stanghon (2017)

15. Kalyn Ponga (2014)

Can you name a better one? Email and let us know.