Jaunty Jonte centre of attention in Queensland rugby win over NSW II

Jonte Connolly’s shock selection in the Queensland I team proved a masterstroke on the opening day of the Australian Schoolboys Rugby Championships, with the 93kg centre leading his team to victory over NSW II.

Try-scoring centre Jonte Connolly on the charge against NSW II at the Australian Schoolboys Rugby Championships in Sydney. Photo by Paul Seiser, SPA Images.

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Try-scoring centre Jonte Connolly has helped Queensland make a strong start to the Australian Schoolboys Rugby Championships in Sydney.

His midfield assignment to use every twitch of his powerful 93kg frame paid off with plenty of direct ball carries in the 36-21 win over NSW II.

He worked well outside the calm distribution of Iona College flyhalf Max Plath while Gregory Terrace lock Xavier Boyle and St Laurence’s College hooker Angus Sawtell were standouts in the pack.

Try-scoring centre Jonte Connolly on the charge against NSW II at the Australian Schoolboys Rugby Championships in Sydney. Photo by Paul Seiser, SPA Images.

“It was a very good start with the teamwork we showed and the linespeed in defence but also with things to work on,” coach Michael Crank said.

Captain Keenan Timu, from Marsden State High, was another strong performer for the pack in a non-stop performance which featured several of his trademark one-handed offloads.

The Queensland II team lost 27-0 to NSW I.

Connolly, 16, is enjoying a breakthrough season and competing against the country’s top schoolboys in Sydney this week is the next step.

“I was very surprised with my selection but playing for your state is something you dream about,” said the Year 12 schoolboy from St Columban’s College at Caboolture.

Few others were after watching his powerful audition in the winning Sunshine Coast side at the State Schoolboys trials in May.

Last month’s man-of-the-match effort, when he mustered six line breaks, was even more decisive when the St Columban’s Eagles beat Ormiston College 17-10 for the TAS premiership.

“There was so much ticker in the side at St Columban’s this season. We weren’t a huge, fancy team but a team of team players and it really shone through in the final,” Connolly said.

Siblings Jonte (left), Ella and Josh Connolly when in athletics mode. Picture: Chris Higgins

Wingers Matt Morphett and Torres Strait Islander Isaiah Levi and pack performer Jake Harvey were other St Columban’s standouts.

The Connolly family’s sporting genes are strong with sister Ella, 18, having competed over 400m on the track at the World Under-20 Championships last year and brother Josh, 20, building his decathlon credentials.

“Everything is a competition in our family from playing Uno at cards to eating and pushing each other certainly has helped along the way,” Jonte said.

Originally published as Jaunty Jonte centre of attention in Queensland rugby win over NSW II