GPS Rugby 2019: Ngamanu family at war over GPS rugby title fight

BBC students first met him as a kid bouncing up and down the sidelines at Miskin Street cheering on his two older brothers. Now Kaleb Ngamanu is all grown up, and he’s ready to take BBC by storm.

Brisbane Boys’ College’s quest to raise the GPS rugby trophy again has entered its 65th season but a familiar face now stands in their way.

The Southport School have swept all opposition before them in a record-breaking start to the season that now pits them against a BBC outfit on the cusp of making history themselves.

The familiar face is rookie TSS centre Kaleb Ngamanu, whom BBC students first met as an excitable youngster bouncing up and down the sidelines of Miskin Street cheering on his two elder brothers, both modern day heroes of the BBC rugby program.

Kaleb Ngamanu will play for The Southport School's First XV against Brisbane Boys' College on Saturday in a potential rugby Premiership decider. His family's loyalties will be tested because Kaleb's two older brothers are school heroes at BBC as former rugby stars. Kaleb Ngamanu pictured with his brother Cullen (green). Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Eldest Jayden was an Australian Schoolboys fullback in 2015 before winning three Super Rugby caps as BBC’s latest Queensland Reds representative.

Middle brother Cullen was a skilful backrower/centre who captained the First XV to their best finish in nearly 20 years when he led them to third in 2017.

Youngest Kaleb joined TSS in 2017 to be closer to his parents’ home on the Gold Coast and is fast developing into an exciting backline prospect under the guidance of coach Mike Wallace.

Jayden Ngamanu (left) of the Reds takes on Sean Wainui of the Chiefs during the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens quarterfinal match between the Queensland Reds and the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, February 10, 2018. Picture: AAP/Darren England

Kaleb Ngamanu shapes to pass v Toowoomba Grammar School in Round Four of 2019 GPS rugby competition. Picture: Nev Madsen

He had best be wary when preparing for the game tomorrow morning because loyalties in the Ngamanu household are clearly divided along school lines.

Kaleb might wake up to find his lucky socks in the wash and wasabi in the toothpaste, with a mischievous older brother entirely to blame.

“I was a boarder for three years so BBC was my home,” Cullen said.

“Because it was our home we wanted to win to make the school proud and to represent our colours.

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“Winning the Premiership was always one of the motivators and for the 2019 boys it would be unbelievably special; if they win it outright then that’s making history.

“My old coach [BBC coach Shane Drahm] called me up this week to check who I would be cheering for and I told him it’s BBC all the way.

Kaleb Ngamanu takes on the BGS defence last week. Picture: Richard Gosling

“Of course I want the little bro to do well but BBC needs to win this for the Premiership.”

The stakes are also high for The Southport School because they have just four matches to play with a Round Nine bye.

Beating the only other undefeated team in the competition tomorrow will grant the winner of the match the inside running to take out the trophy in 2019.

The Southport School (5-0) take on Brisbane Boys’ College (4-0) at 2:15pm tomorrow at Toowong.