Squads Analysed: Breaking down the Gold Coast’s next generation of rugby union stars
At last, the Gold Coast’s up and coming talent has a platform not seen in the region for years. Meet the top players to take part and who represent the future of the local competition here >>
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Alleygators colts coach Ryan Roberts has called for a future expansion of the recently formed under-20s competition in a bid to help facilitate the club’s plans of a first-grade comeback in 2024.
Palm Beach Currumbin were forced to withdraw from the Gold Coast District Rugby Union’s top competition last year, citing a lack of tight five forwards capable of physically and safely contending in senior football.
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It is a problem which has continued and according to Roberts will mean the club will likely not partake in the Phil Temperton Trophy in 2023, however they were determined to foster the blossoming junior and young adult ranks to reach that goal.
According to Roberts, a colts competition has not featured on the Glitter Strip for roughly a decade, and the Alleygators often lost players to rival codes or sport all together without having a platform to transition from schoolboy to elite rugby.
Roberts guided PBC into the inaugural clash of the Southeast Queensland Colts Challenge Cup on Saturday, a 19-10 triumph over Sunshine Coast White, and said further collaboration with neighbouring associations was a must moving forward.
He said by combining with the likes of the Far North Coast, Darling Downs and Brisbane in addition to the recent union with the Sunshine Coast, a fully fledged colts competition could in turn retain their talent and harness them through to a sustainable first-grade avenue.
“We’ve definitely communicated with the Gold Coast district that our intentions are next year as a possibility (for a first-grade return),” Roberts said.
“Obviously for us it’s really a lack of experienced tight five forwards, which by the sounds of it is across the board. It’s a bit of a worry, but in terms of that the club is looking into resourcing scrum coaches and getting people to help us in that space.
“But I think in a good space … our under 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s, 18s and 20s for us is a conveyor belt moving in the right direction. We’ve got quite a lot of juniors who play through, the challenges are rugby league and PBC is more of a league school.
“A lot of our students are there but they’re rugby tragics. The lack of the under 20s competition on the Gold Coast consistently means at 17 some just give the game up.
“It’s not the GCDRU’s fault, it’s a rugby issue on the Coast, but hopefully this paves the way forward so the kids coming through in six or seven years have a competition to play at once they’ve left school.
“As much as adults we all say they’ll be right their development is not quite there yet, and you can’t scare them off and we don’t need to be turning players away by not offering competitions for their age groups.”
GCDRU rugby manager Trent MaChong confirmed the organisation were in the discussions to expand the competition in the future; first intent on ensuring its inaugural season operated smoothly.
He said while further plans for colts outlets were not yet confirmed they were deep into discussions about providing other avenues for the under-20s in 2023.
“The tournament as it stands at the moment is a pre-season fixture. Definitely there are plans to expand in the years to come, we just want to get it right and across the line in this first year,” MaChong said.
“We are looking to give these under-20s boys an option through the rest of the season as well, because as most people are aware not everyone is ready to play senior rugby as soon as they turn 18.”
While the likes of rising stars Wil Duncan and brother Michael shone for the Alleygators in a team consisting of many who had remained at the club since they were five, the Gold Coast Barbarians went down in a thrilling 12-10 clash against Sunshine Coast Blue in the Colts Cup’s other round.
Players from Eagles, Helensvale, Nerang, Bond and Surfers Paradise combined on the field for the first time, and they would have the chance this weekend to showcase their strengthened cohesion.
Barbarians coach Simaile Simona has been mentor sides for the past eight years, including in the under-18s, and said with each age group he has noticed a decline in participation.
He said ideally the continued growth of the colts competition would open up representative windows for the talent who remain engaged in a region where in recent times only the Bond University program exists for that demographic.
“It is difficult, especially at this age group where there’s a lot of things happening with work, and also studies as well,” Simona said.
“I think it’s really important (the colts age group), especially because there’s so much talent in the Gold Coast. But we lose then around this age group because there’s nothing else that offers them to continue to play rugby in a more professional type environment.
“I’m coaching under 18s but I can see a drop from the age groups every time they get older and we just seem to lose interest in players because there’s nothing else for them to go to after the under-18s.
“If they don’t get selected for Bond that’s it, they don’t play at all or go play with the local third grade and second grade which they’re not ready for.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH — ALLEYGATORS
While Roberts admitted he and the Alleygators were still searching for a palpable forward capable of one day challenging the Temperton Trophy once again, the club’s backline stocks were well served.
Versatile playmaker Wil Duncan and his brother in centre Michael have established themselves as key cogs in the PBC arsenal, while the young man donned their “Ferrari” in Max Robinson will return in the coming weeks from a holiday in Japan.
Roberts said the Duncan duo came with plenty of skill courtesy of their touch football backgrounds, with Wil’s future undecided on whether he settles in at fullback or fly-half.
“(Wil) has come from a touch background through Miami State High School, so that’s that attacking Quade Cooper-esque type style,” Roberts said.
“He’s developing a bit of a kicking game as well, learning how to kick corners and play tactically verses trying to do everything himself.
“(Michael’s) a little bit more larger boned than Wil, Wil is fleet footed and steppy but Mikey has the footwork but is a little more robust. He took to second grade with the seniors last year quite well and he grew as the year went on.
“Once he got more confident with the guys around him he was able to play his best game in the last game against Griffith.”
Meanwhile Roberts said Robinson would come back into the fold as a point of difference to the team, having established himself as a player of considerable x-factor throughout the junior ranks — playing either fullback, in the centres or out on the wing.
He said the youngster had come through the Palm Beach Currumbin program since he was in the under-6s, going on to earn Queensland selection and play senior rugby last year.
“Truth be told he’s been one of the top try scorers in this age group coming through right the way through,” Roberts said.
“He’s really quick, it’s the acceleration and the leg turnover into full flight. He’s our racehorse, our Ferrari, if it’ a chip over the top Max is there.
“If we can get that ball to him quickly in space that’s kind of his skillset and if we’re able to get it to him he’s away on a centre or winger using that speed.”
Noah Connors has also recently transitioned from the outside backs into the back of the scrum, set to don the number eight jumper for the Challenge Cup; equipped with a “brilliant low chop tackle technique” and a clean pass to both sides courtesy of his elite water polo experience.
“He’s got that endurance, the legs are strong and he’ll go all day,” Roberts said.
“He’s got the skills to play in the backs; he’s not afraid of contact but he does like to set up the outsides.
“As a centre he can draw defenders through the middle but he’s got a great left to right pass.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH — GOLD COAST BARBARIANS
While Simona admits it has been a challenge bringing the Barbarians side together, harnessing talent from five different clubs and athletes with varying schedules, one shining light in particular has emerged.
Skipper Koji Goulding comes equipped with a strong rugby resume, having represented the Australian schoolboys in his junior years.
The prop was at the forefront for the Gold Coast outfit, and Simona said it was a combination of his physically daunting frame and game style and his leadership credentials that stood out.
“It’s both with actions and words, he takes it up really physical and he makes a lot of breaks,” Simona said.
“Rugby now is very fast game now, so the forwards need to be really mobile and their skillsets need to be really up there with the backs.
“He’s crash and bash, but in terms of his leadership he leads from the front.”
Simona said there were similarities between Goulding and his fellow forward, Queensland Reds Academy player Jat White, and the duo would likely be leading the charge heading into this weekend’s second round.
His hope was that with a game now under his unit’s belt the cohesion would come and enable the raw abilities of his young men to prosper.
“We’ve got players with a lot of potential and I think we should be really in good stead for the next few games. We needed that game under our belts to actually get the enthusiasm of the boys to be committed and to play,” Simona said.
“The game was pretty hard fought, it was difficult for us as we just got together pretty much; we have really good players we just needed to work more closely so that we could just get our structures and set pieces all right.”
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