Colts 1 club rugby: Key players, road home for all teams heading into Rd 16
Club rugby Colts 1: Who were the key players from all nine clubs heading toward the finals? Here’s 30 top notch young guns, along with the crucial Road Ahead for each team.
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The Colts 1 club rugby finals are just around the corner, including some early semi-finals like Saturday’s top flight blockbuster between premiership contenders Easts and Bond at David Wilson Field.
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With three rounds remaining, we reveal each club’s key players who have been central to their team’s success so far this season.
They are also the players that hold the key to their side’s finals hopes.
Jump to your club:Souths, Wests, UQ, Bond, Easts, Brothers, Norths, GPS, Sunnybank.
THE ROAD HOME
SOUTHS MAGPIES
Road home: Sunnybank (away), Bond University (away), Wests (home)
The benchmark side over the last two seasons, the first seeded Souths Magpies have maintained the rage after snaring the minor premiership in 2023.
The additions of Cooper Hoare (hooker) and Slater Galloway (tighthead), alongside young veterans Tom O’Callaghan, Dian Minnie, Cadell Rees and Nick Sturdy has proved a big success.
In the backs, Harry Raff has made the most of his opportunity, Will Nason has surely solidified a starting spot in the Reds Under-19s, flare-filled outside backs Dre-dyn Laban and Te Ohorei Totorewa have been their trusty, reliable selves while blokes like Heath Lindenmayer and Darcy Rowan have showed they are made for this level.
Take a bow head coach Cian O’Connor for pulling the strings behind the scenes.
KEY PLAYERS
Kaleb Akaroa
Marsden SHS First XIII enforcer turned rugby No. 8, Samoan powerhouse Akaroa has been on a tear over the last month of competition.
A physical and imposing figure with a strong carry, Akaroa is hurtling towards the finish this season.
Te Ohorei Totorewa
Totorewa has been a crucial piece of the puzzle this season for Souths.
The left winger, who like Akaroa attended Marsden SHS, scores a try most weekends and has that turn of speed, finesse and awareness to be in the right spots at the right times.
He is so reliable.
Dre-dyn Laban
Totorewa’s partner in crime is also in a fine patch of form heading into the final three games of the home-and-away season.
The 19-year-old fullback has really levelled up this season after playing Colts 2 in patches last season. A serious threat, Laban will be key for Souths at fullback where he has ensured his starting spot for the remainder of the season.
WESTS BULLDOGS
Road home: Brothers (away), Easts (home), Souths (away)
The Phil Mooney coached Bulldogs side came into the season with high expectations and they have well and truly lived up to them.
After an underwhelming season in 2023, Wests have unearthed some exciting new faces who have played a big role in the success of this year’s squad.
James Martens and Jamie Alexander have been first class, Rory Bliss and Will Pascoe strong in the second row and returning players Dom Kallquist and Campbell King at times a class above.
The Kennel was humming.
KEY PLAYERS
Campbell King
The Wests captain has finished his three year Colts 1 career on a high note by spearheading his side into the finals picture.
The captain and inside centre, King has assisted on tries countless times this season off his deft right boot while providing a voice for his teammates in battle.
Jack Spencer
The team’s vice-captain, Jack Spencer has also been influential in leading Wests’ fight five assault on the opposition.
A third year colt, Spencer has used the experiences of the last two seasons to be a forward leader in what is a young side, predominantly made up of 18-year-olds.
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Finlay King
The younger brother of captain Campbell, King was no doubt up to speed coming into the season having been schooled at rugby stronghold Nudgee College.
Aside from one game where he was a fresh replacement on the bench of coach Elwee Prinsloo’s Hospital Cup team, King has played in every match this season.
“He has been superb,” coach Mooney said.
“He has been a player for us who does those one percenters (like the kick chase) on the field people don’t always see.
“He has just been consistent every week. That is a sign of a well prepared player.”
UNIVERSITY RED HEAVIES
Road home: Sunnybank (home), Bond University (home).
Coached by Josh Bray, University has been strong in the Under-20s age group as they have been this decade.
New South Wales newcomer Dan Christodoulou has been a revelation at loosehead, former Canterbury College school captain Jack Henry a forward leader, halfback Tafito Ah-Ki a livewire, Chace Oates classy, Tom Robinson Mr Consistent and Moe Koroi a big improver.
The Red Heavies have had their fair share of injuries and amid this, a big boost came from Australian Schoolboy tighthead Isaiah Kolopeaua and Meninga Cup representative Kye Porter (outside centre) who have ensured the team has maintained their spot in the rear view mirrors of pace setters Souths and Wests.
KEY PLAYERS
Tafito Ah-Ki
University’s x-factor scrumhalf, Ah-Ki has improved in many aspects this season to be coach Josh Bray’s starting halfback.
The club also has elite Sunshine Coast teen Jimmy Jackson to call on if needed.
Ah-Ki, the best attacking scrumhalf in the competition, has learnt to play to the Red Heavies game plan and is flourishing. As such, the quick-thinking St Edmund’s College, Ipswich old boy will be a point of difference for The Students in this final stretch.
Tom Robinson
Representative backrower Robinson has been steady all season long, a staple of consistency who gets through his work at a high level week-in-week-out.
What is needed from the technically sound No. 8 is for him to find that next level, which he is more than capable of reaching.
BOND UNIVERSITY BULLSHARKS
Road home: Easts (away), Souths (home), University (away).
There is plenty of young talent at The Canal and it helps when you have a good coach like Rico Gear in charge.
That is why Bond University are the form team of the competition, the dark horses who have scored 86 points in the last two matches.
Indeed the Bullsharks are hitting their stride at the right time, having crept into fourth spot after a crucial 41-24 win over Brothers at home last Saturday.
They can jump University on the ladder if they win against Easts in round 16.
Wavy haired outside backs Hunter Robinson and Blake Raymond have been prolific, Somerset senior Callum Simpson elite when you consider he is only 17 and locks Fergus Gillan, Zebediah Misios and front rowers Nikotimo Mateiwai, Oliver Barrett and Harry Bell all imposing in a team that plays to their strengths.
KEY PLAYERS
Harry Bell (Bond University)
If you see the Bullsharks scrum motoring forward, it is most likely because tighthead prop Harry Bell, the St Josephs’ College old boy, is in there leading the way.
A “massive communicator and motivator”, John Eales Rugby Excellence scholar Bell has proved essential to the team’s success and energy levels.
Fergus Gillan (Bond University)
Bond University tower of strength has shown this year his impressive GPS First XV campaign for TSS last year, which earned him a place in the Australian Under-18s side, was no flash in the pan.
The key to his team’s lineout success, big man Gillan will be front and centre in these last three games for Bond.
“I think he still has a lot more to offer with his running game so it’s going to be exciting to see him get a little bit of space when it comes,” coach Rico Gear said of the athletic lock.
Zebediah Misios (Bond University)
The Bullsharks Colts 1 side have benefited greatly when 20-year-old lock Misios is playing in their side, not in Mick Heenan’s Hospital Cup team.
Better and more experienced for it, Misios’ workrate and powerful carries stands out.
Originally a Coffs Harbour and a Southern Cross Uni Marlins young gun, Misios can play lock, flanker or No. 8 with ease and still deliver in his core role.
EASTS TIGERS
Road home: Bond University (home), Wests (away), Norths (home)
After beginning the season slowly winning one from their first seven games, Easts have powered back into the finals picture.
In pursuit of another finals berth after a narrow semi-final defeat at the hands of Souths last year, Easts have resurrected after a winless period from April 6 to June 1, when they claimed their second victory.
The absence of skipper Joe Liddy (injury) and Australian Under-20s selects Nick Bloomfield and Frankie Goldsbrough has meant the Tigers have had to adjust and they have done so brilliantly.
Fullback Jodeci Letalu has played every minute of every game, wingers Mac Kelley and Caden Griffiths have been grand, Villanova products Larry Clark and Jackson Moloney welcomed additions at inside centre and No. 8 respectively, Noah Rauluni superb at flanker, Byron Murphy first class at loosehead pop and Tane Hetaraka his most vicious yet.
KEY PLAYERS
Tom Twaddell
Every team needs a Tom Twaddell.
A quiet, ultra-competitive workhorse that leads by example and with his brave actions on the field.
A lineout disrupter, Twaddell is tough as teak physically and mentally, which is why he has been so reliable in three seasons of Colts 1 for Easts.
Archie Xavier
Are we looking at the in-form player of the entire competition?
The livewire scrumhalf out of Gregory Terrace was all important in the Tigers’ triumph over Sunnybank last weekend, scoring three tries in 20 minutes to put a crevasse between the sides.
The starting halfback in News Corp’s GPS rugby Team of the Decade, the unassuming Xavier has made strides in his game management skills and decision making in a season of big improvement.
Emil Willie-Jawai
Triple M Emil Willie-Jawai has nailed his core roles since being promoted from Colts 2 midway through the season and shown why he was a force to be reckoned with for two seasons (2022, 2023) of First XV rugby for Churchie.
A massive man who makes a massive impact with a massive motor (Triple M), the fast-footed Willie-Jawai has played big minutes while still offering dynamic carries in the death moments.
Luke Hatherall
The dream teammate, outside centre and skipper Hatherall is a team player to the core.
A Brisbane State high product who lives for the big moments, Hatherall’s experience and leadership has been to the fore of Easts’ round two resurrection.
“He (Hatherall) takes it (big moments) on in a way that drags those around him in,” said coach Jack Richards.
BROTHERS
Road home: Wests (home), Norths (away), GPS (home)
It was always going to be hard for The Brethren to follow last year’s campaign where they won the premiership.
The year before that the club’s Under-20s were the best in the competition before losing to Easts in the semi-final.
This year, Brothers have unearthed some promising new talent like Josh Takai, Vaiuta Latu and Paddy Dallimore, who missed last season through injury.
Third year colt Charlie Stack and fellow returning players Rory Beech, the captain, Cooper Cameron, Louis De Villiers, who has moved from the wing into flyhalf, Kai Combarngo and Ellis Davies have all been special at different times this season.
It will all come down to the round 18 results to see who makes it through.
KEY PLAYERS
Vaiuta Latu
Brothers No. 8 Vaiuta Latu had a quiet game compared to his usual high standards against Bond University and will be amped up for this weekend’s must win clash against Wests.
A big man with the ball skills of an inside back, Latu has been one of coach Greg Beaver’s top performing and most consistent forwards this season and has to save his best for last if the side is to again make the quarterfinals.
Cooper Cameron
Brothers flanker Cameron has been first class since returning midway through the season.
A bloke that jackles in his sleep, Cameron will be at the forefront of Brothers’ push to the finals.
Rory Beech
He comes from a winning background, having been a premiership winner in successive years with Nudgee (2022) and Brothers (2023), so what better person to get his side up in what will be Brothers’ watershed moment of the season.
Regardless of the fact he has the C next to his name - the rugged prop is a leader and winner.
He will rise to the occasion and expect his teammates to rise with him.
NORTHS EAGLES
Road home: GPS (away), Brothers (home), Easts (away)
Norths turned over a new leaf under head coach Bart Ritchie this year to become a big threat, a team you cannot take lightly - especially at Hugh Courtney Oval.
Despite being on a two game slump, Norths were still in finals contention following early season highlights which included: beating Souths in both games, prop Macarius Pereira spearheading his team’s resurgence, Callum Reidy following Reds Under-19s selection in 2023 with a colossal campaign.
All the while, Nudgee old boy Ben Kluck, hooker Sean Noone and winger Sam Dickie have risen above to be integral squad members.
KEY PLAYERS
Callum Reidy (Norths)
The top performing scrumhalf in the competition, elite game managing halfback Reidy has spearheaded Norths inspirationally all season long and will no doubt keep his foot on the gas to finish the year on a high note.
A cover defence king with an influential kicking game, St Laurence’s product Reidy is the definition of key player.
Ryan Heaton (Norths)
Rock solid tackling blokes and reliable in attack, Heaton has proved a linchpin for the Eagles on both sides of the ball.
A shock omission from the Reds Under-18s squad earlier this season when they played the Waratahs in a two-game series, Heaton responded admirably with a quality campaign.
Jovid Aveau (Norths)
Stepping up in the absence of wrecking ball prop Macarius Periera, tighthead prop Aveau “has been crucial for us,” according to coach Bart Ritchie.
The Norths junior from Gregory Terrace has scored three tries in his last three outings, including a matchwinner against the Dragons.
With a handful of strong showings to end the season, Aveau should be right there in the Reds Under-19s setup.
GPS GALLOPERS
Road home: Norths (home), Brothers (away)
The boys from Yoku road have won just three games this season, but there were plenty of green shoots at the club.
It’s worth noting GPS have lost four games by margins less than five.
Matthew Ribot-de-Bresac has been a prolific try scorer on the wing after starting the season in Colts 2, the pacy Jackson Munn has staved off fierce internal competition to retain his No. 11 jersey, James Prole has been GPS’ best Colts halfback of the last three seasons, Stuart Tualima has gone from strength to strength while the efforts and production of front row trio Harry Gould, Ewald Kruger and Nick Harper have been faultless.
The revelation of 18-year-old Chris Jansen, a hard hitting midfielder from Melkbosstrand, a small west coast village in the Western Cape of South Africa, was also among the highlights.
Another was seeing the development of a good one, third year colt Joe Doljanin.
The club need look nowhere else for someone to play on the outside of midfield pairing Cam Moller and Shaun Anderson in years to come - the answer is from within.
KEY PLAYERS
Chris Jansen
GPS’ most dominant back has missed the last two games with a hamstring niggle but across this season he has been an absolute handful.
Likely back in the line-up for the Gallopers final two games, Queensland Reds Under-18s select Jansen will be firing to finish his debut club season in Queensland, where he played most of it as a 17-year-old.
Spencer Alcock
The crafty fullback or flyhalf has been classy this season and will be back for round 16 after missing last round with a knee niggle.
A slight playmaker who resembles All Blacks livewire Damian McKenzie, Alcock’s keen eye for space has helped get the best out of Jansen and Hospital Cup newcomer Joe Doljanin.
SUNNYBANK DRAGONS
Road home: Souths (home), University (away).
The Dragons may be last placed on the ladder, but we would back them to do damage in the equivalent New South Wales Under-20s competition.
This year the club has recruited well, getting blokes like Brody McLaren, Fati Fala, Junior Sitia Malupo, DJ Manase, Daniel Malum, Netani Lesimaikimatuku and Mattias Agent - just to name a few.
The club is building, heading in the right places and they still have their part to play in the finals race when they travel to University in a fortnight.
KEY PLAYERS
DJ Manase
While the presence of Mattias Agent and JD Sivivatu Kanth in the forwards and Dan Malum and Netani Lesimaikimatuku in the backs is paramount, the star power of inside centre DJ Manase also stood out as a huge threat.
An Ipswich Grammar First XV player last year, Manase has spread his wings this season in the midfield where he has left countless defenders stuck in the mud.
The Dragons hot stepper is excitement personified.
Isaac Nomani and Mattias Agent
Sunnybank’s promising lock pairing of Nomani and Agent have been tireless all season long and despite being out of the finals race, there is no chance they will be going easy.
Players destined for long and storied Hospital Cup careers and even more, Nomani and Agent have done a wonderful job setting and maintaining a high standard for those around them.
Especially when the side does not get the rub of the green.
Originally published as Colts 1 club rugby: Key players, road home for all teams heading into Rd 16
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