TAS rugby: Rd 6’s best performers revealed
Who were the TAS First XV rugby players of the week? Find out here with the latest from round six as three teams remain in grand final contention.
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The TAS First XV schoolboy rugby grand final was all but confirmed following a stunning round six.
Last year’s grand finalists Ormiston College and St Columban’s College are on a collision course for another finals bout, following WestMAC and John Paul College’s 19-all draw.
With WestMAC sniper Harry McDowell the key to success, JPC were now edged out of finals contention.
The door was still ajar however.
If JPC defeated Ormiston on Saturday and WestMAC upset St Columban’s, JPC would go through, a task within the reach of WestMAC this season.
However before a bumper round seven unfolds, see who stood out last weekend with the top performers from last weekend below.
ROUND 6 SCORES
JPC AND WESTMAC DREW 19-ALL
ORMISTON 10 DEF ST COLUMBAN’S 5
CANTERBURY 17 DEF CHAC 10
ROUND SIX TOP PERFORMERS
Ethan Fox (Canterbury)
What a game this kid had.
After starting on the wing to begin the season, Fox shifted into fullback for a different look and did a stellar job.
He excelled as the last line of defence, pilfering the ball and making darting runs when on the counter attack.
He was first class.
Tymothy Palupe (Canterbury)
Canterbury’s front row battleship was at his brilliant best again, spearheading his side as stand-in captain
A bloke that gets his teammates up with his words and actions on the field, Palupe’s defensive work was second to none.
“I have been really impressed with his leadership this year,” said coach Josh Afu.
Charlie Menzies (Canterbury)
One way or another, midfielder Menzies gives Canterbury a point of difference.
If his running game isn’t on, his defence will influence the game and visa versa.
On Saturday, it was his power game through the middle of the field that impressed.
Joey Hona (CHAC)
Each week different schools have had their go at seeing this powerful metre eater in action.
Last weekend it was Canterbury’s turn to deal with the wrath of Hona, a damaging ball runner and thumping defender.
Max Alpar and Charlie Gardiner (CHAC)
In an inspired showing by CHAC, Max Alpar and Charlie Gardiner were wonderful.
Through the middle of the field they were destructive, while in the lineouts Gardiner was tremendous.
Harry McDowell (WestMAC)
The WestMAC scrumhalf certainly has nerves of steel.
Against St Paul’s earlier in the season he slotted a near sideline conversion to draw the game and on Saturday, from in front, he sent the ball over the black dot to escape with a 19-all draw against JPC.
After JPC had beaten CHAC 60-0 and gone toe to toe with St Columban’s before falling 10-6, McDowell’s 100 per cent kicking off the tee proved monumental in a big result for his school’s improving First XV.
He nailed four penalty goals and the final conversion.
Charlie Pickering (WestMAC)
Once a lock or flanker, but now a bulldozing hooker, Pickering had a cracker of a game against JPC at home in round six.
After calling the lineouts and plucking them out of the air, Pickering produced the try which gave McDowell the chance to equalise.
He worked for it too, beating two defenders before crashing over.
Phoeniz Hoareau (St Columban’s)
St Columban’s will take confidence from their inspired second half against Ormiston, where their scrumhalf Hoareau shifted gears and played his heart out.
His service was crisp, running game dangerous at times and his leadership when Ormiston pounded away at his goal line.
Kody Fisher (Ormiston)
Ormiston’s open side flanker continued to enhance his reputation as a hardworking, defensive menace in Saturday’s grand final rematch,
Always the toughest jersey to clean, the Trojan worker ensured the mud stains on his jersey needed the best washing detergent in coach Kris Peterman’s house.
He was relentless.
Renier Welgemoed (Ormiston)
Mr Consistent, inside centre Welgemoed was a defensive brute that defended the midfield like a man possessed.
St Columban’s crashed in for their first try close to full time and that was partly because of how Welgemoed tackled, especially in the second half the opposition got ascendancy in his half.
Harrison Dhu (Ormiston)
Young veteran Dhu showed his class with a powerful display at tighthead prop.
He got Ormiston over the gain line with his carries, made a couple big defensive plays and bobbed up in the breakdown plenty of times across the match.
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