GPS: Will team ‘rarity’ hand Nudgee victory over Southport?
THE fact they shared the premiership a year ago is a reflection of how Nudgee College and The Southport School have dominated GPS honours in the past 20 years. Now as 10,000 fans get set to watch today’s grand final, both sides are dealing with some key changes.
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THE fact they shared the premiership a year ago is a reflection of how Nudgee College and The Southport School have dominated GPS honours in the past 20 years.
The measure of the game’s standing between two unbeaten teams with 7-0 records is that Test referee Angus Gardner has flown up from Sydney to officiate.
But as 10,000 fans get set to watch today’s grand final, both sides are dealing with key changes for the decider.
Lock Schostakowski’s head knock has opened a dream first start in the First XV for Tim Mark because regular back-up Charlie Hayes broke his leg a week ago.
While Flanker Hugh Robinson is in for TSS.
NUDGEE COLLEGE v THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL
Ross Oval, 2.15pm Sat
Referee: Angus Gardner
Nudgee College
15. Daniel Atkinson
14. Jangala Bennett
13. Josh Flook
12. Henry Smith
11. Trezman Banjo
10. Reesjan Pasitoa
9. Hugo Smith
8. Bailey Tautau
7. Cayle Manu
6. Matt Engelbrecht
5. Tim Mark
4. Titi Noofungatatoa
3. Phransis Siaosi
2. Tevita Kaitu’u
1. Harry Vella (c)
Reserves: 16 Max Vacca, 17 Angus Mazzei 18 Mitch Lowrie, 19 Tom Campbell, 20 Seb Hanna, 21 Tristan Powell, 22 Ethan Robbins.
TSS
15. Dion Samuela
14. Hamish Roberts
13. Ronan Kapi
12. Jesse Grey
11. Thom Gibson
10. Campbell Parata
9. Spencer Jeans
8. Reno Gerrard
7. Hugh Robinson
6. Luc Lyndon
5. Tom Van der Schyff (c)
4. Wilson Blyth
3. Zane Nonggorr
2. Boyd Radel
1. Tyrell Kopua
Reserves: 16 George Blake, 17 Marlon Jones, 18 Beau Douglas, 19 Dougal Coleman, 20 Jock Thompson, 21 Lachlan MacInness, 22 Tyler Wright, 23 Alex Walker.
WILL TEAM ‘RARITY’ HAND NUDGEE VICTORY?
TWINS Hugo and Henry Smith were born a minute apart yet their schoolboy destiny is perfectly synchronised for a pulsating climax with Nudgee College in today’s GPS rugby decider.
They plan to make the most of their final game in the blue-and-white stripes because it is such a rarity for brothers to play in the same school team when line-ups are generally aligned to year levels.
Halfback Hugo and centre Henry are key cogs in a slick backline which will trade attacking raids with The Southport School at Ross Oval.
Both were granted different gifts as non-identical twins because Henry, 17, is 11cm taller and nearly 20kg heavier than nippy scrum-feeder Hugo, who is 75kg and 178cm.
“Hugo thinks he’s a bit smarter around the field but I got the speed and extra strength,” Henry said with a smile.
“Most of all, we feel part of a special band who all want to do this as a team and have been working together for this common goal.”
The Smith boys, outside centre Josh Flook, reserves Tom Campbell and Ethan Robbins, and injured mainstays Darcy Schostakowski and Jacob Wallace have been on this journey since starting out in the 5As at Nudgee.
Added Hugo: “There’s a passion for it when you’ve been at the school so long and it comes out on the field.”
He has been the launch point for a back division which has generated 20 tries for wing dangermen Jangala Bennet (14) and Trezman Banjo (six) off the powerful efforts of No.8 Bailey Tautau and the pack.
College traditions run deep and none more passionately than at this week’s team dinner when bowls of jelly beans in the maroon, navy and white of TSS were on the table. On cue, skipper Harry Vella let rip: “What are we going to do?”
“Eat ’em alive,” was the roar in return from the squad before a mass scoffing, just as it has been for decades.
Henry also carries thoughts for Alexander Clark – who suffered a serious neck injury through the GPS season – as they became friends through Smith’s young brother Byron.
“I visit Alexander in hospital and he’s definitely in the back of my mind,” Henry said.
Hugo will have his hands full with Queensland Schoolboys half Spencer Jeans, so often a distributor and link off rumbling TSS forwards Zane Nonggorr and Reno Gerrard.
The Nudgee College Rugby Support Group is hoping for a final rush of ticket sales in the fundraising raffle – which has a $22,990 Hyundai car as the top prize donated by Zupps Aspley and Hyundai – for the Clarks.
All proceeds from the fundraising, through www.rafflelink.com.au/ncrugby2018, will go to the Clark family to help Alexander in his recovery.
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