The Southport School: TSS leads nation in Australian Under-20s selections
The Southport School’s growing reputation as Australia’s top rugby school has been reinforced by the selection of six former students in the Junior Wallabies squad for 2020.
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The Southport School’s growing reputation as Australia’s top rugby school has been reinforced by the selection of six former students in the Junior Wallabies squad for 2020.
No other school had more than four players selected in the wider squad, who will audition for a place in the squad to travel to the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy later this year.
TSS director of rugby Adrian Blundell said being named in the Junior Wallabies squad was a special honour for the former students.
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“As a school we’re extremely proud of the boys,” Blundell said.
“I think it’s a ringing endorsement of just how hard they’ve worked and we are glad to have been a part of their journeys.
“It’s also special because five of the six boys toured South America together with the 2017 First XV and they’ve been great mates ever since.
“I hope they can continue to get better as footballers and earn the right to tour Italy with the Junior Wallabies as well.”
The Gold Coast region supplied 11 athletes in total, making up 20 per cent of the 56-man squad training at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra this week.
From TSS, 2019 GPS Premiership-winning captain Zane Nonggor, vice-captain Dion Samuela and prop Tyrell Kopua were joined by 2018 graduates Tom Van Der Schyff, Reno Gerrard and Spencer Jeans.
Coombabah State High School was the next best represented Gold Coast school with former students Phransis Sula-Sioasi and Dennis Waight both selected.
Somerset College utility back Rhian Stowers, Bond University hooker Jack Winchester and Casuarina Beach junior Fred Fewtrell round out the Gold Coast contingent training at the AIS.
More players from the region could be drafted in to the team once Super Rugby trials are completed in January.
Australia coach Jason Gilmore said he was excited to bring the squad together as a group this week.
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