GPS First XV rugby 2024: Team of the Year unveiled
GPS First XV rugby: The Team of the Season has been revealed following a stunning season won by three-peat premiers Nudgee College. See who made it from your school here.
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The most evenly matched GPS First XV season in years finished in a Nudgee College three-peat and unveiled here is the annual Team of the Season.
The final placings were: Nudgee College 16pts, Brisbane State High 14pts, Brisbane Boys’ College 12pts, The Southport School 10pts, Ipswich Grammar 8pts, Toowoomba Grammar 4pts, Churchie 4pts, Gregory Terrace 4pts and Brisbane Grammar 0pts.
To celebrate an engrossing competition, named below is the News Corp Team of the Year, including reserves.
GPS RUGBY TEAM OF THE YEAR 2022
GPS RUGBY TEAM OF THE YEAR 2023
QUEENSLAND BOYS PICKED IN AUS UNDER-18S RUGBY SQUAD
GPS RUGBY TEAM OF THE YEAR
15. Jacob Johnson (Nudgee College)
There was no second season syndrome for the fleet-footed Jacob Johnson who continued to enhance his reputation as the rounds rolled by.
A fixture at No. 15 for Nudgee College over the past two premiership seasons, Johnson justly earned an Australian Under-18s squad call-up and was a well-rounded, reliable player who had the sprinkle of x-factor about him.
14. Nick Conway (Nudgee College)
Nick Conway was a crowd-pleaser this season, a flair-filled winger who knew how to get on the outside of his opponents.
Conway didn’t touch the ball as much as other wingers but when he did he so often made an impact, either scoring himself or freeing up a support runner with those twinkle toes of his.
13. Kilarney Lavender (The Southport School)
The first player chosen in this team, TSS Year 11 student Kilarney Lavender exceeded expectations after an incredible Burleigh Bears Under-17s rugby league campaign earlier this year.
Tackling the physical outside centre was a daunting task for even the best defenders in this competition and his three-try effort against Brisbane Grammar in the final round was the perfect way to go out for someone who shed tackles for breakfast this season.
12. Frank Howarth (Brisbane Boys’ College)
It is hard to put into words just how good 17-year-old inside centre Frank Howarth was and it is scary he had so much more to give.
With a knack for turning up in the big games and that Brad Fittler left foot step, Howarth put to use his big body and silky skills to be both a ballplayer and damaging carrier of the ball.
The Broncos Academy ace was arguably BBC’s best player, even with the mantle of Jack Howarth’s younger brother prompting opposition defensive lines to tread carefully and apply pressure.
11. Amaziah Murgha (Ipswich Grammar)
If you thought Amaziah Murgha was good last year, trust that he improved dramatically this season to be the single most slippery outside back in the entire GPS competition.
A centre, wing and fullback at different times this season, Innisfail ace Murgha made up for what he lacked in size with sizzling speed, great awareness of space and fearlessness.
He was a blink and you’ll miss him customer who added to the excitement of an entertaining Ipswich Grammar outfit.
10. Tom Siganto (Brisbane Grammar)
The trusted Brisbane Grammar utility back played inside centre but he demanded a spot so flyhalf will have to do.
To put it simply, the ultra-consistent Siganto was just amazing. He was arguably the best performing inside centre this season, but often his performances were overshadowed by the score.
A shining light in a rebuilding season for Brisbane Grammar, Siganto pipped some good ones to make it here which is a testament to how consistently strong he was.
9. Sam Watson (Nudgee College)
It was almost a dead heat for the No. 9 jersey but Sam Watson made it past the line first, beating blokes like Isaac Kefu, Joseph Post and George Hales by a small margin.
There was no going past Nudgee’s scrumhalf supremo, an excellent and somewhat underrated cog in a superstar backline.
He kept the side ticking over, touched the ball more than anyone and offered Charlie O’Connell the crispest of service.
8. Roman Siulepa (Brisbane State High)
The biggest compliment that can be paid to 18-year-old multi-sport phenom Roman Siulepa is that if there was an MVP (Most Valuable Player) award given out, it would have his name carved on it.
Brisbane State High had eight highlight-laden performances with towering No. 8 Siulepa the main act with his athleticism something to behold and his presence unmatched.
7. Trent Picot (Brisbane State High)
Trent Picot, Siulepa’s partner in crime, hit the ground running after a bumper Queensland Schoolboys campaign and maintained the rage across the season to be one of the premier on-ball flankers.
Often seen pinching opposition balls, Picot’s workrate and ability to relieve pressure at the breakdown was everything for the resurgent Brisbane State High boys and their successful season was built on his reliability as a flanker.
6. Hugo Hart (Nudgee College)
The fastest forward in GPS rugby, Hart left his mark on all eight of Nudgee’s victories one way or another and added serious starch to a formidable pack.
The nimble blindside flanker used his mix of strength, speed and mobility to run riot in the wider channels and also move past the advantage with his pick-and-drive play.
A key forward in the school’s premiership team last year, Hart rebounded well from an injury in the final match of 2023 to be an eye-catching athletic talent who had a big influence on matches.
5. Eli Langi (Brisbane State High)
The heart and soul of Brisbane State High’s First XV, Langi was an inspirational lock and captain who just looked the real deal.
Langi did the little things well, got through mountains of work and did the heavy lifting that allowed rising star Siulepa to swoop.
Australian Under-18s squad member Langi would make a very good club rugby pick-up for the 2025 season.
4. Ed Kasprowicz (Nudgee)
The towering multi-sport top gun was Nudgee’s ball-winning maestro who supplied the possession on which the success of his team’s scoring feats were created.
There was no one better in the competition at winning lineouts than big Kasprowicz, the technically-sound leaning tower of Nudgee College.
3. Charlie Hollyman (Gregory Terrace)
A fixture in the front row over the past two seasons, tighthead terror Charlie Hollyman built on a strong 2023 campaign to be even better this year.
Hollyman had a nose for the tryline, was instrumental in pick-and-drive play and with Oliver Nasser and Nate Wines by his side, Terrace’s forward pack matched it with the best in the business.
2. John Grenfell (Nudgee)
He was an inspiration at hooker and as captain for Nudgee College. As a reward, the Reds Academy handed him a two-year contract.
A Cap Coast Crocs junior, the No. 8 turned hooker was a standout in every way.
He buried himself into Nudgee’s lethal rolling maul with expertise, created tries and carried the ball with passion, including when he opened the scoring for Nudgee in the grand final.
Of course he was also part of a powerful scrum.
1. Kingsley Uys (TSS)
Kingsley Uys made the Team of the Season in 2023 as a Year 10 student.
The powerhouse loosehead prop was a wrecking machine, enormous in the scrum, destructive when carrying the ball or swinging into action as a part of that productive TSS rolling maul.
The fast-footed Year 11 also bought into TSS’ defensive philosophy and pity help you if Uys lined you up.
RESERVES:
16. Blaze Moana (TSS)
Year 12 hooker and captain Blaze Moana demanded praise with every performance and had premiership-winning skipper John Grenfell not been so elite Moana would have had jersey No.2.
Moana was named in the Australian Under-18s squad, a just reward for the glue player of TSS’s pack.
Moana’s lineout throwing was unrivalled, especially under windy conditions at Northgate in round nine. Before this, Moana made a living scoring tries in the rolling maul.
A young veteran of three seasons, Moana knew when to peel off the maul and go himself and was as technically correct as a schoolboy hooker gets.
17. Tyler Maybery (Brisbane Boys’ College)
Tyler Maybery, the South African hybrid, was everything in one for BBC playing hooker or flanker at a very high level.
The team captain, Maybery led the way with his carries and leadership and showed his individual brilliance when he scored a pearler against Gregory Terrace in round seven.
18. George Ward (Churchie)
Ward worked and worked until he couldn’t work any more and if Churchie could clone a player like him, they would.
The ultimate team man, openside flanker Ward set a high standard with his workrate and was always near the action.
19. Oliver Nasser (Gregory Terrace)
It was a toss up between Siulepa and Nasser for the No. 8 jersey. Next season, when he is in Year 12, Nasser is shaping up to be the very best in that position.
This season Nasser was a weapon in the rucks and maul, a hard worker who did the dirty work while being a sensational defensive henchman.
It is no mean feat captaining your school’s First XV as a Year 11 and young Oliver owned it. Gregory Terrace is a far better side with Nasser out there.
20. Gray O’Neill (Brisbane Boys’ College)
Watch out for those BBC boys in 2025. They will have big Gray O’Neill back, a superb flanker or lock who this season was arguably his team’s best.
O’Neill was a true professional, someone that knew his role back to front and performed it exceptionally.
All the while being a quality goalkicking forward.
21. Isaac Kefu (Brisbane Boys’ College)
The calm and collected Souths Magpies rookie had a stellar season and he staved off quality scrumhalves to make the team.
A Year 10 student, Kefu held out a very good halfback in Queensland Reds Under-18s select Stan Keats and each week proved himself more and more.
Mr Consistent, Kefu played what was in front of him and his vision and decision making was excellent - partly due to his basketball background.
22. Max Blanch (Churchie)
Churchie’s inside centre was first class.
A linchpin in defence and the key to Churchie’s attacking shape, Blanch had a ton of responsibility and relished it.
The outstanding captain, also a terrier on defence, was too important not to make the side and he was an irreplaceable player for Churchie over the last two seasons.
23.Myles Rosemond (Toowoomba Grammar)
Rosemond relished a fresh opportunity coming across from Ignatius Park College to the dorms of Toowoomba Grammar, where he quickly made a name for himself.
A Townsville Brothers product, Rosemond had speed, footwork, anticipation and great passing skills that all came together to make him one of the more deadly attacking threats in the competition.
He could play fullback and on the wing.
PLAYERS WHO JUST MISSED OUT ON THE TEAM
Ethan Ramsay (Toowoomba Grammar)
Ramsay made a fresh start in schooling when he moved from the AIC system (St Peters Lutheran College) in Brisbane to Toowoomba Grammar School.
A flanker, Ramsay and his band of uncompromising backrowers Joey Gray and Tom Bailey were simply superb.
A highlight of Ramsay’s season came in round five when he single-handedly destroyed Brisbane Grammar’s lineout.
From a famous swimming family — his dad and his sister have swum for the Australian Dolphins — Ramsay maintained his high workrate across the season whether it was making tackles, his efficiency at the breakdown or support of ball-carrying teammates.
Elijah Breen (Brisbane Grammar)
Year 11 fullback or flyhalf Elijah Breen was Brisbane Grammar’s most dangerous attacking threat and if a backs try was conjured, so often it was him who pulled the trigger.
A crafty type with a threatening short-kicking game, Breen was ever so close to making the team.
Nate Wines (Gregory Terrace)
Backrower Nate Wines was a revelation for Gregory Terrace, a player who made you take note.
A big-bodied flanker or No. 8, Wines worked tirelessly alongside his forwards to gain parity over their rivals and often he won his individual battles.
He really took things up a notch after making his debut in 2023 and finished the season with two tries against Ipswich Grammar.
Caleb Godfrey (Churchie)
Caleb Godfrey, Churchie’s pacy utility forward, was responsible for scoring one of the greatest tries of the year against BBC in round five.
Playing as a lock, Godfrey had a turn of speed, power through the hips and a knack for scoring stunning solo tries, all the while being a game cover defender who seemed to be everywhere at once.
Oscar Donovan (Brisbane Boys’ College)
Close to the most dominant front-rower of the season, Year 11 utility forward Oscar Donovan was a bolt from the blue who impacted matches for BBC with his power game.
Brave to the core and just ruthless, No. 8 and hooker Donovan went out in style last weekend when he had 12 strong carries, 10 tackles and a hand in two of the best tries scored by a forward this season.
Charlie O’Connell (Nudgee College)
The Nudgee flyhalf missed the starting 23 by the width of a tissue paper.
Why? He was the conductor in the best team and a running threat who took it upon himself to make an impact when it mattered.
O’Connell had his radar working this season and his short-kicking game was ever so dangerous.
Highlight games of his came in a stirring showing against BBC and then when he scored 20 of Nudgee’s 45 points in the grand final the following week.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Lincoln Dalton (Brisbane Grammar)
Dyer Akauola (Brisbane Grammar)
Joey Gray (Toowoomba Grammar)
Illy Baravilala (Toowoomba Grammar)
Trace Beattie (Toowoomba Grammar)
Joseph Post (Ipswich Grammar)
Angus Tagicakibau (Brisbane State High)
Cyrus Suniala (Brisbane State High)
Bennett Armistead (Nudgee College)
Joe McGahan (Gregory Terrace)
Will Bloxham (Churchie)
George Hales (Gregory Terrace)
Finn Kendall (Ipswich Grammar)
Ezalle Matautia (Ipswich Grammar)
Tyson Walker (Ipswich Grammar)
Prestyn Laine-Sietu (Nudgee College)
Hayden Keldie-Genner and Dan Wells (The Southport School)
Tom Bailey (Toowoomba Grammar)
Will Pamenter (Ipswich Grammar)
Seamus Boakes (Brisbane State High)
DISCOVERY PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Adam Davis (Toowoomba Grammar)
Dylan Terblanche (The Southport School)
Sam Russell (Gregory Terrace)
Marley Ngatai (Brisbane State High)
Tyrece Herniman (Brisbane State High)
Elyjah Sa’u (Brisbane State High)
Marlon Frost (Ipswich Grammar)
Adam Latham (Nudgee College)
Tai Taka (Brisbane Boys’ College)
Oli Chancellor (Churchie)
Harry Solofa (Churchie)
PLAYERS TO KEEP TABS ON IN 2025
Fletcher Austin (Churchie)
Treyvon Pritchard (Churchie)
Sio Kite (Churchie)
Dallas Ingram (The Southport School)
Agapetos Lote-Felo (The Southport School)
Viliami Fifita (The Southport School)
Saia Poese (Gregory Terrace)
Franck Iraguha (Gregory Terrace)
James Grey (Ipswich Grammar)
Brock Coombes (Ipswich Grammar)
Levi Slater (Nudgee College)
Isaac Rauluni (Nudgee College)
Tim Allport and Barry Smith (Brisbane Grammar)
Rhymen Tusi (Toowoomba Grammar)
Oli Patterson (Nudgee College)
Ruben Kruger (Toowoomba Grammar)
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Originally published as GPS First XV rugby 2024: Team of the Year unveiled
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