Why Gold Coast APS competition is set to deliver fresh wave of rugby talent

Gold Coast’s top schoolboy rugby First XVs are preparing for battle again in 2020.

THE Gold Coast’s top schoolboy rugby First XVs are preparing to tackle the Associated Private Schools competition again when the 2020 edition kicks off on Friday.

Heavyweights Somerset College and All Saints Anglican School, who drew last year’s Grand Final in an extra-time thriller, 17-all, have set the competition benchmark for the past five years.

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Somerset have played in five consecutive Grand Finals, with All Saints Anglican meeting them in four of those deciders to supercharge the competition’s hottest rivalry.

The two schools have split premiership honours three-all since 2015 and appear destined to meet again unless a new challenger can step up.

Tom Pincus in action in Queensland Premier Rugby. Picture: Richard Walker

The competition has produced some of the Gold Coast’s finest rugby players, with Wallabies Ben Daley and Sam Norton-Knight and 2020 Melbourne Rebel Tom Pincus just some of the stars to emerge from it.

Pincus, an undefeated APS champion with the 2009 All Saints First XV, said playing alongside his schoolmates in the APS helped forge a love for the sport which has since taken him around the world.

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The 27-year-old’s career has led him to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and beyond, with stints at Jersey Reds and Bristol Bears in the UK Premiership before signing with the Rebels this year.

“Getting to play with all your best mates on a Friday afternoon, you’ve finished school for the week and you’ve got rugby with your mates - that was always a pretty good feeling,” Pincus reflected.

Tom Pincus from All Saints Anglican College made the Australian Viking team for futsal.

“It just gave me the love for the game and made me appreciate how good it is to run out with your teammates and friends and be able to play.”

Pincus said his journey, and the pathways blazed by others before him, was proof that avenues to professional sport were open to talented and hungry athletes regardless of representative selection at school.

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“We were just pretty solid, no-one stood out too much (in my year),” he said.

“You see a lot of players who never played Queensland Schoolboys or under-20s come into their own, just look at Jock Campbell at the Reds or my brother Joe (in the Australian Sevens team).

“If you just make sure you’re enjoying it than that’s the most important thing because you’ll train harder and play better.”

Pincus’ alma mater All Saints kick off their season against James O’Connor’s former school, AB Paterson College, at home.

Somerset College travel to St Stephen’s College, King’s Christian College host Coomera Anglican College while Emmanuel College will welcome Trinity Lutheran.