Revealed: Greatest rugby school of the century

It is the most tightly contested sport across Sydney’s GPS schools and has produced scores of international stars. The Daily Telegraph reveals who reigns supreme on the rugby field.

From Wallaby legends who have represented Australia on the world stage to some of the game’s brightest young prospects, Sydney’s GPS schools have long been a nursery for the “game they play in heaven”.

Stars including Kurtley Beale, Matt Burke, Stirling Mortlock, Nick Farr-Jones and Phil Waugh all got their start pulling on a jersey for one of Sydney’s eight GPS schools.

St Joeseph’s College at Hunters Hill – which boasts eight rugby fields at its facilities – has a reputation as a rugby powerhouse but a fresh analysis of sporting records reveals it is hanging on to its dominance by the slimmest of margins.

Since the turn of the century, Joeys has won eight rugby premierships followed by reigning champions The King’s School which has seven titles.

King’s has the opportunity to occupy the top of the leaderboard alongside Joeys if the 1st XV go back-to-back this year.

Rugby is in fact the most tightly contested sport across the exclusive schools.

The Scots College and St Ignatius Riverview are tied on five titles, with all of Scots’ wins coming since 2013.

Newington College is only one win behind on four premierships, followed by Shore on one.

Dynamic duo Hadley Tonga and Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Tiitii triumphed for King’s last year in what was a historic win for the school.

The King’s 1st XV won every game of the 2023 season except one, where they drew against The Scots College.

Frontrower and Waratahs Academy prospect Tiitii said he believed King’s would win again this year.

“I have faith in the boys. Half the team in that squad right now were in that premiership team for the 16As that won two years ago,” he said.

“They’ll take it out this year, I have faith.”

Former Kings prop Nate Tiitii. Picture: Richard Dobson

Hadley Tonga captained King’s to victory in 2023. Picture: Richard Dobson

Hadley, a livewire winger who has been selected for Australia’s rugby 7s team, said it was “very special” to take out last year’s premiership.

“It’s very special and we’re so grateful to have played in the undefeated season in 2023 with King’s,” he said.

“Growing up we definitely didn’t have the advantage that a lot of people had, so we were very grateful to be at such a program and such a school.

“They really developed us into disciplined players.”

Tiitii said the atmosphere at schoolboy games was “a whole different level” and helped him become a better player.

“The atmosphere gets you gee’d up and the intensity and the atmosphere itself helps you be ready for the game,” he said.

“It’s a whole different level compared to footy after school and it just feels like that’s something you can’t take for granted.”

Joeys students congratulate their rugby players after a win over rivals Riverview in 2015.

Tiitii said Joeys and Riverview were their biggest rivals.

“Joeys games always offered a competitive environment and as did Riverview, they gave us a good go last year. And thanks to them it helped push us as a team and become better players,” he said.

Waratahs Academy halfback Hwi Sharples was instrumental for Joeys in their 2022 premiership.

“I think we’ve won about 57 premierships and to be part of one of them is pretty special,” he said.

The talented playmaker loved the big crowds that watched on and enjoyed coming up against his sides’ rivals.

“It’s pretty surreal, you get pretty nervous before a game, they can get 10,000 and at Leichhardt they even got 15,000 people there watching us so obviously you get pretty nervous,” he said.

“Everyone wants to beat Joeys, they’re like the All Blacks of the GPS.”

Former Joeys premiership player Hwi Sharples. Picture: Richard Dobson

But it was at Newington College where one of our most decorated Wallabies was first introduced to the game of rugby union.

Nick Farr-Jones loved all sports growing up but rugby was foreign to him prior to his years at the college in Stanmore in Sydney’s inner west.

“I’ll always remember turning up at my first winter sports training, and I basically asked my coach, who was my geography teacher, ‘where are the round balls?’

“And back then in 1974, when I started, they didn’t play football, soccer, like they do now.

“I said, ‘Where do I play in this game (rugby)?’ And they said ‘You’re the littlest bloke here so here is a number nine jersey.’

“Onwards and upwards. I really got stuck into it, I loved the game. I really enjoyed the contact side of it, even though I was only small.”

The Wallabies great, who led Australia to their first world cup victory, said he still caught up with his teammates from high school.

“I certainly enjoyed a lot of good friendships as I’ve sort of retained a lot of friendships from Newington college. And, you know, we catch up every now and then.

“I loved rugby and I loved going to training on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there was a terrific culture.”

Captain Nick Farr-Jones smiles as he is presented the Rugby World Cup trophy by Queen Elizabeth II after Australia defeated England in the final at Twickenham in 1991.

Formidable Randwick Rugby, Waratahs and Wallabies second-rower Warwick Waugh said running out for The Scots College 1st XV was right up there with international test matches.

“You’re playing in front of the school, the tribalism, the belonging, the prestige around that ... you just couldn’t wait for Saturday to get out there and rip in,” he said.

“That’s probably my first memory, is just the fanfare and the hype around the game.

“Running out the tunnel with the whole school there cheering you on and the piper piping you onto the field, that was up there with running on to test matches as far as special feelings go.”

Warwick Waugh is a Scots College graduate. Picture: David Swift

Waugh in action for the Wallabies in 1996.

Waugh said the facilities at Scots were second to none.

“The facilities are extraordinary, I looked at them a few years ago… the hyperbaric chambers, the gym, the weights, and the science in the sport,” he said.

“I honestly did not train in a facility of that level ever when I was playing my senior career at the Wallabies or Waratahs.

“It really does create a nursery in the GPS system for these guys to learn what it will take if they are serious about pursuing a career, but it doesn’t take away the tribalism and playing for a club and being part of something bigger than yourself.”

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