GPS First XV rugby: Six things to look forward to when the competition resumes from shutdown

GPS First XV rugby’s return from a Covid-enforced hiatus is almost upon us. Here are six things to look forward to when the competition resumes – maybe as soon as Saturday – from the shutdown.

Who can wait for the return of GPS First XV rugby?

It could be as early as this Saturday, with an announcement today following discussions about player safety.

But if things cannot be put in place that soon, then round 7 on August 28 is only nine days away - and what a round it will be.

St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace will host Brisbane Grammar School, BBC will be at home to Ipswich Grammar School, Nudgee host Churchie and The Southport School is on the road to Toowoomba Grammar School in Toowoomba.

It has been four weeks too long, with the season frustratingly reduced after a prolonged Queensland Health enforced shutdown.

Brisbane State High School player Stuart Tualima. Picture, John Gass

Despite missing the heart of the season, there is still time to enjoy another three or four rounds before schools break for the September-October holidays.

Despite teams now not playing for the GPS premiership, the pride and rich traditions within each college community ensures three rounds of spirited schoolboy rugby.

RELATED LINKS

TERRACE’S GREATEST PLAYER – and the best of the rest

NUDGEE’S GREATEST BACK, FORWARD – and the best of the rest

CHURCHIE’S GREATEST – AND THE BEST OF THE REST

HERE ARE SIX THINGS WE LEARNED FROM THE OPENING TWO ROUNDS

T stands for Terrace, but also for Team.

With two early wins, it quickly became evident St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace was an outstanding team.

Terrace run onto the ground to start the game GPS First XV rugby union match between Brisbane State HIgh School and St Joseph's Gregory Terrace. Saturday July 24, 2021. Picture, John Gass

Coached by an old fox Michael Broad, and around captain Joe Liddy, players were committed to a simple, but well drilled game plan, and were able to adjust to game situations.

With assistant Nick Stiles’s fingerprints all over the tight five, lock Angus Munn growing in stature and No. 8 PJ Su’a providing ball running thrust, Terrace were doing very well.

Terrace player Angus Munn. Picture, John Gass

Also inside centre Will Hancock has laid an excellent platform while fullback Josiah Harrison-Leaunoa and halfback Archie Xavier were doing their jobs nicely, even when confronted with pressure.

There are no obvious weak links in the chain and it will be interesting to see if the players can resume where they left off in the final three rounds.

Nudgee flyhalf Byron Smith on the move in round 1.

Daniel Maiava and Rob Toia – worth the hype

Nudgee’s First XV was flying along when the COVID-19 struck the south east, and no group will be more frustrated than those who wear the famous college Firsts’ jersey.

Nudgee centre Rob Toia, left.

Nudgee shone with outstanding set pieces, thunderous ball running forwards like Marcarius Pereira, Oahu Davey-Phillips and Natiana Winikerei and astute option taking from halves Willem Johnstone and Byron Smith.

But you’d have to have your head in the sand not to notice centre Rob Toia and lock Daniel Maiava above the pack of players.

Toia was seen in the 2020 First XV jersey, but in two games this winter he had taken his game to a new level.

And the mobile Maiava is very, very good.

RELATED LINKS

IN PICTURES – THE GPS SEASON SO FAR

ROUND 2 REPORT

ROUND 2 – SIX THINGS WE LEARNED

ROUND 2 TEAM OF THE WEEK

Brisbane Boys College and The Southport School – still some wag in the tail

It is clear BBC will not be as strong as the premiership winning 2020 group, but the resilience displayed by BBC in a narrow loss to Nudgee College at Ross Oval spoke volumes for the culture of the team.

Brisbane Boys College player Dimitrius Williams. Picture, John Gass

Dimitrius Williams and Zac Hough (before injured) were to the fore, but the effort and commitment from No. 1 to No. 15 highlighted there is still wag in the tail.

And what of TSS?

They were upset in a second round thriller against Churchie, but it was a game which could have gone either way against an amped up, skilful team playing its first competition game of the winter.

The talent pool runs deep at TSS. Watch this space for a TSS uprising across the remainder of the competition.

Churchie – left has wanting more

The COVID-19 lockdown of sport was frustrating for many reasons, one of which was harpooning Churchie’s stunning start to the season.

Churchie player Zack Lamont kicks for goal. Picture, John Gass

A little like seeing the trailer for a movie you want to watch - it was all over before you knew it after the team’s stunning first up win over The Southport School.

The whispers were out among the rugby parents that Churchie would be good in 2021.

The talent scouts were mentioning names like Will Herbert and Zack Lamont.

And boom, it all resulted in a stunning late win over TSS spearheaded by Charlie Brosnan, Lewis Mene, Larzio Sword and Jock McPherson.

Another exhilarating match is tipped against Nudgee College at Ross Oval on August 28.

RELATED LINKS

PLAYERS TO WATCH – SEASON 2021

ROUND 1 REPORT

WHAT WE LEARNED – ROUND 1

Brisbane Grammar School – the comeback kings.

Brisbane Grammar School – the comeback kings.

Brisbane Grammar School deserve this label after a remarkable recovery from a first round 71-5 loss to TSS.

The Southport School v Brisbane Grammar School. Lock Isaiah Tolotu. Pic Mike Batterham

BGS defeated Ipswich Grammar School seven days after that loss, despite the kids surely having demons in their head as they ran on.

But rallied by prop Jack Spencer, centre and leader Campbell Watchirs and lock Ari Coroneo, BGS rebuilt their rugby kingdom.

Victory was a feather in the cap for coaches Phil Mooney and Cameron Lillicrap, both proud old boys, and also for the students who listened to their coaches and showed great resolve - and skill.

Toowoomba Grammar School against Brisbane Boys College Picture, John Gass

Trio of teams which ooze talent

Toowoomba Grammar School, Brisbane State High School and Ipswich Grammar School did not find a win in the early rounds, but talent abounds around the three teams.

Mathias Magautai, Stuart Tualima, Lolo Sekona and Ahmani Leilua (BSHS) were all powerhouse forwards and IGS pair Denzel Perkins and Braydon O’Sullivan highly skilled.

Brisbane Boys College player Taj Annan Picture, John Gass

And up on the Downs, TGS have prop Charlie Wigan, No. 10 Sebastian Sialau and centre Joe Currie leading the way, although TGS looked far more than a three man band in its round 1 loss to BBC.

ROUND 7

Terrace v BGS

BBC v IGS

Nudgee v Churchie

TGS v TSS

BSHS bye

ROUND 8

BSHS v BBC

Churchie v Terrace

IGS v TGS

TSS v Nudgee

BGS bye

ROUND 9

BGS v Churchie

TGS v BSHS

Terrace v TSS

Nudgee v Ipswich

BBC bye

Originally published as GPS First XV rugby: Six things to look forward to when the competition resumes from shutdown