BOOM BOYS: The Surprise Packet players of GPS First XV rugby highlighted here ahead of round seven
GPS First XV rugby: Who were the surprise packet players from each side this season? 20+ boom boys uncovered here ahead of a round that features a blockbuster between TGS and Nudgee.
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The end is in sight, but still the GPS First XV premiership race is wide open with three rounds remaining.
Unbeaten teams Nudgee and BSHS - who clash in round 9 - hold the whip hand from third placed Brisbane Boys’ College.
GPS FIRST XV RUGBY TEAM OF THE WEEK FROM ROUND 6
Despite not being in premiership contention, green shoots have sprouted everywhere across the competition.
Ipswich Grammar School have played so well with an ounce of luck they could easily have been in contention while the extraordinary athletic talent at The Southport School has made them a force to be reckoned with.
There has been continued, significant improvement at Terrace, promising signs at BGS and plenty of positives from Churchie.
All teams harbour surprise packet players who are featured in this story.
SURPRISE PACKET PLAYERS OF GPS FIRST XV RUGBY
Tom Siganto (Brisbane Grammar)
There are good things happening again at BGS this season and Tom Siganto is a part of that momentum shift.
Siganto started on the wing but was moved to centre following the loss of Harper Enasio and he has been a strong defender and tough ball carrier through the midfield.
Sam Bolam (Brisbane Grammar School)
Sam Bolam has raised some eyebrows this season with his contact and his ball carrying.
Bolam had risen to the occasion before the loss of his quality lock partner Oli Akahvan, and has maintained rage, picking up the scraps and leading the pack in his absence.
Marlon Frost (Ipswich Grammar School)
A first-year player for Ipswich Grammar School from Coffs Harbour, Marlon Frost has finishing ability, fronts up in defence and is quick.
He has been a consistently strong performer contributing to Ipswich Grammar School’s excellent performances.
Mostyn Bowen (Ipswich Grammar)
A mountainous lock out of Newcastle, Mostyn Bowen missed almost all of last term with an injury and entered this season as a relative unknown.
The ever-improving Year 11 student has gotten better with each outing as he gets acclamated to the high octane GPS rugby competition and with his physical attributes, Ipswich Grammar’s lineout will be well taken care of again in 2025.
Tannar Baker (Ipswich Grammar)
Local rip-and-tear loose forward Tannar Baker has built on an a bumber Ipswich Jets Under-17s season to influence games for Ipswich Grammar at flanker, although he can play No.8 and lock with ease.
The abrasive breakaway earnt himself a Queensland Schoolboys jersey prior to the commencement of the GPS First XV competition, which he has taken to like duck to water in his debut season.
Isaac Kefu (Brisbane Boys’ College)
Little would have expected excellent Year 10 student Isaac Kefu to play every game at scrumhalf for premiership contenders BBC.
The Queensland Reds Under-15s select was thrust into the lineup for the first round of the season and slowly but surely he made the No.9 jersey his own with his decision making under pressure and control of the game impressive for a 15-year-old.
Before this, Kefu had put a deposit on the starting halfback position when he announced himself in a strong showing against Nudgee’s First XV in a pre-season trial match.
Andres Ayache (Brisbane Boys’ College)
Melbourne ace Andres Ayache has come a long way to being a regular fixture in BBC’s starting XV this season.
The hard working utility back snapped up his opportunities in the trial games and demanded his spot in the team, after last year playing the entire season in the 16Bs.
He then all but cemented a starting role in round four when he scored a telling late try against TSS that ensured a victory that may prove crucial for BBC.
Archie Illot (Gregory Terrace)
A surprise packet back rower, Archie Illot has been another reason for Terrace’s competitive nature this season.
He has been strong around the breakdowns and over the ball, while being prepared to carry possession forward or support a fallen teammate.
Saia Poese (Gregory Terrace)
A young gun whose reputation precedes him, Poese has been thrilling to watch in these last three rounds.
He bends the line every time he gets the ball in hand and has proved a pivotal asset in Terrace’s good season.
Ethan Ramsay (Toowoomba Grammar)
Ramsay made a fresh start in schooling - and in sport - when he moved from the AIC system in Brisbane to Toowoomba Grammar School.
A flanker, he started the season in the Second XV, but eventually demanded a place in the top side with his strong defence and spoiling lineout play.
He single-handedly destroyed the Brisbane Grammar’s lineout in round five where he won a half a dozen clean balls against the throw and disrupted just as many.
Trace Beattie (Toowoomba Grammar)
After finishing the rough and tumble world of club rugby league for the Clydesdales where he was an outstanding Meninga Cupsecond rower, Beattie transformed himself into a well-rounded centre for TGS.
Beattie has grown this season around his catch-pass skills and ability to organise those around him.
He also has one of the harder running games in the competition.
Ben Burgess (Toowoomba Grammar)
Part of the furniture at Toowoomba Grammar School - he has been at the college since Year 7 - Burgess has progressed through B teams before reaching the summit of GPS First XV rugby.
The right winger has a calm temperament and a turn of speed that has seen him snare a handful of tries this season.
Tom Wood (Churchie)
A genuine on ball openside flanker, Tom Wood puts his body in dark places to win turnover ball in crucial parts of the game.
The hard working young gun also has an ability to run fantastic attacking lines out on the edge which sees him make plenty of line breaks.
He is a key to Churchie’s attacking structure.
Will Bloxham (Churchie)
Will Bloxham is a real blink or you will miss him type.
He has devastating pace and is dangerous from set pieces when he has more room.
He can also hit in defence, is fiery and gets stuck in when needed. His development from the third XV last season has been one of the highlights for Churchie.
Sam Williams (Churchie)
Williams is plenty tough, someone who gets rugby.
The lock runs it hard and is not afraid to put a shot on and has been a real wildcard for Churchie on both sides of the ball.
Ben Didonna (Nudgee)
There is not much of him, but this rookie flanker rarely misses his man in defence and works tirelessly around the field.
He has risen from the 16Bs last year to earn a cherished Nudgee First XV jersey and influence their premiership pursuit alongside his backrow partner Hugo Hart.
Jake Lane (TSS)
Lane has been a revelation. A quick, mistake free winger who can be trusted in any situation.
He is a self made rugby player who has had to work and scramble to reach this milestone moment in his career.
The workaholic left wing is a model example to other young, hard working players striving for success.
Eli Vea (TSS)
A young inside centre with room to grow, inside centre Eli Vea has the brawn but also the rugby smarts to be a force.
He uses the ball well and has that Samu Kerevi type look about him. Of Tongan descent, he hails from Murrumbidgee River country, west of Canberra and is back againt next season for TSS.
Angus Tagicikibau (Brisbane SHS)
He has been consistently good in one of the best team’s playing one of the most demandings position in the side - fullback.
Tagicikibau has made opposition flyhalves regret kicking to him.
He has a cool head and is someone who is taking the correct option when it comes to kicking, passing or running.
Jackson Hill (Brisbane State High)
The Brisbane State High left wing has been an elite finisher this year, a player whose name would have a green tick next to it each week when teams are being finalised.
The kid is faultless, a speedy, quick between the ears type whose positioning has been first rate this season.
He works hard off the ball as well.
ROUND 7
Nudgee v TGS
Churchie v BBC
BGS v BSHS
Terrace v BBC
Originally published as BOOM BOYS: The Surprise Packet players of GPS First XV rugby highlighted here ahead of round seven
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