Nudgee College have only four players from 2018 championship

They were all-conquering last season, but Nudgee College takes just four players into 2019 from their successful 2018 campaign. Read our full profile on the champs here.

You won’t hear boasts of a three-peat of premierships around the corridors of Nudgee College because every GPS schools rugby season has it’s own unique pulse for new players with fresh ambitions.

Classy flyhalf Reesjan Pasitoa is one of just four players returning from the unbeaten Class of 2018 which produced a pulsating 34-29 decider for more than 7000 fans at Nudgee’s Ross Oval.

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Only good forture pitted Nudgee against The Southport School in the final round for that 10-try spectacle such is the rolling annual fixture list of GPS sport.

Curiously, the same schools meet in a scene-setting opening round on Saturday at Southport when every fan will rush to anoint the winner as premiership favourite.

Reesjan Pasitoa in action for Nudgee College last year. Picture: Mark Cranitch

The two schools have been the peak performers of 2017-18 with a joint title in 2017 and last year’s undefeated paths to a trophy climax.

“Around the team we understand and appreciate the premierships that have come before but it’s very much a new season and we will be trying to make our own legacy as the 2019 team,” Pasitoa said.

Added coach Andrew Scotney: “You always take forward good team habits but last year is not too much of a visual for us with 11 new players interested in this year’s experience as their first.”

Pasitoa’s hamstring injury in a trial game makes him only touch-and-go to finish the match, if he starts at all.

Trezman Banjo is out of action with an ankle injury. Picture: AAP/Image Sarah Marshall

Livewire fullback Trezman Banjo is out with an ankle injury but the Mareeba product will be a thrilling tryscorer with his footwork when he returns.

Pasitoa’s boss quality as a playmaker, his mature 98kg frame and timing to make a telling run are hugely influential and the Brumbies so liked the package they swooped to sign him while still at school.

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The Year 12 standout will head to Canberra to begin life as a professional rugby player just days after he finishes school.

TSS trounced Nudgee 36-14 when Pasitoa injured his hamstring early in their trial so the 2018 champions have had some catching up to do.

“It’s an exciting opportunity...we’ve had six or seven weeks to find 22 points,” Scotney said.

The return of muscular prop and captain Harry Vella from an ankle injury is a huge plus as he showed in last weekend’s come-from-behind 38-all draw with Gregory Terrace.

Nudgee captain Harry Vella is lifted from the field with the trophy after last year’s success. Picture: Mark Cranitch

New halfback Finn Hearn scored two tries in the rally and will be a significant distributor this year to get bullocking No.8 Titi Nofoagatotoa thundering forward with his ball-carries.

Scotney predicts a highly competitive season: “There’ll be more upsets than last season with plenty of good teams and Ipswich Grammar as a smokey.

“If you don’t bring your A-game, you’ll get beaten.”

Rugby tradition runs deep at Nudgee College with 780 boys in 38 teams turning out across the age groups in the famous blue-and-white this season.

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Clones have never rolled off the Nudgee production line of more than 20 Wallabies because they have covered all the skillsets.

Physical dominant backrow leaders like Mark Loane and Rocky Elsom and dynamic backs like Elton Flatley, James O’Connor and Ross Hanley have had an equal say on premierships as have hardheads in the tight five like Kevin Ryan, Tony D’Arcy and Sean Hardman.

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GPS Premierships: 42

Most Recent: 2018

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The Courier-Mail’s NC Team of the Decade

1. Harry Vella (c, 2019)

2. Alex Mafi (2014)

3. Phil Kite (2010)

4. Reece Hewat (2015)

5. Jay Adkins (2010)

6. Maclean Jones (2013)

7. Sean McMahon (2011)

8. Bailey Tautau (2018)

9. James ‘Bobby’ Tuttle (2013)

10 . Reesjan Pasitoa (2019)

11. Jangala Bennet (2018)

12. Jack Tuttle (2012)

13. Semisi Tupou (2016)

14. Craig Hunt (2011)

15. Billy Brittain (2011)