GPS Rugby 2020: Wallaby coach Dave Rennie’s scouting mission to find the next Zane Nonggorr
The battle for Sydney’s Joseph Sualii might already be lost but Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will spend his first Saturday as a Queenslander at a GPS rugby match, scouting for new stars.
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Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will spend his first Saturday as a Queenslander watching The Southport School’s GPS rugby season-opener in the hope of unearthing the next Zane Nonggorr.
The 128-kilogram teenager captained the best attacking team in TSS’ history to claim an undefeated GPS Premiership in 2019.
While his former teammates are preparing to defend their title, Nonggorr will lace up the boots for the Queensland Reds for a potential Super Rugby debut off the bench.
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At 19 years and 131 days, Nonggorr will become one of the youngest Queensland props of all time - debuting earlier than future Wallabies James Slipper, Taniela Tupou and Tony D’Arcy.
Nonggorr credits his rapid rise to the lessons instilled in him at TSS, where he started aged 10.
By 12 the Papua New Guinean-born talent weighed in at 120 kilograms.
By 14 a growth spurt and poor diet saw him balloon out to 166 kilograms.
“I grew quite a bit but I wasn’t eating or training right,” the young Red said.
“Before my Under-15 season one of the TSS coaches said to me I could do something with footy if I took it seriously and changed how I ate and did more fitness.
“I took it seriously from there and my weight started to go down.”
His dedication to training saw Nonggorr trim 31 kilograms off his frame the following season to earn his place in the First XV.
Nonggorr played three seasons in total, winning two First XV Premierships including one as captain.
His work in the gym at the Reds Academy caught the attention of coach Brad Thorn.
“We did some fitness testing coming out of COVID and after the results came out they invited me to train with the main squad,” Nonggorr said.
“I’ve been surprised at how quickly it’s all come. It’s pretty crazy, like a big rollercoaster.
“It’s been a dream of mine to play for the Reds since I came to Australia and started playing and watching rugby.
“To make my debut would be a dream come true.”
Standing in Nonggorr’s way for a debut against the Waratahs is the staying power of Reds tighthead Taniela Tupou, who is capable of playing all 80 minutes.
Before then, TSS will travel to Brisbane State High to launch their 2020 season with Dave Rennie in attendance.
They will be missing young guns Jye Grey and James Pere to injury but a talented backline nucleus will be ready to take the field again.
Flyhalf Syris Schmidt is a Burleigh Bears Under-18s representative while centre pairing Kaleb Ngamanu and Jojo Fifita can lay strong claim to the competition’s most exciting attacking duo.
Prop Carsen Patu scored three tries in two trial matches.
BSHS have declined to livestream the match and spectators cannot attend.
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