GPS First XV rugby round 1: Team lists; debut boys named
Here’s the GPS First XV rugby round 1 Teams and debut boys ready to roar into action in what is expected to be a gripping, toss of the coin premiership race. Read all you need to know.
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Debut boys will flood round 1 of the GPS First XV season when the starters pistol is fired on the elite schoolboy rugby union competition this Saturday.
While the return of experienced, seasoned First XV players is crucial to the chances of each team, there is something special about the arrival of fresh faced, first season players.
The 2025 campaign will have new boys galore.
A dangerous Churchie will usher in first-season players across the front row: Jacob Knowles, Harry Batkin and Hunter Tauakipulu, along with flanker Duke Thallon and winger Marty Hatcher.
The Southport School have eight of the starting 15 players making their debut: Hooker Ryder Tee, locks Oscar Dunn and Lachie Crain, No. 8 Elijah Galloway, halfback Jason Campese, backline brothers Lewis and Ashton McDermid and fullback James Smith.
Toowoomba Grammar School will have three players on debut: Flyhalf Cooper Brown and wingers Petelo Maka and Isiah Wuruki.
Brisbane Boys’ College have new faces abound: Prop Jeremiah Kite, hooker Luke Nilsson, flanker Charlie Wehl, halfback Harry Munro and winger Cooper Murray.
In Tennyson, four Ipswich Grammar students will make their debut against Gregory Terrace.
They are Year 11 tight forwards Tyler Riddell (prop) and Tom Smith (lock), the babe of the side Jack Garnier, a Year 10 halfback, and exciting outside back Leo Briggs (wing).
Gregory Terrace’s debut boys include: Jerry Harbottle and Nick Weir (both props), flanker Hugo Hawke, flyhalf Tom Weir and winge pairing Ioane Feaunati and Frank Illot.
Across town, a grand-final rematch will unfold at Fursden Road between 2024 premiers Nudgee College and runners up Brisbane State High.
Brisbane State High’s debut boys are: Prop Darnel Taki, flankers Robert Piutau and Henry Willis, halfback Isaiah Nuku, flyhalf Richie Taulagi, centres Flynn Corbett and Taoso Taoso, and wingers Jack Phinney and Jeremiah Patea.
Making their debut for Nudgee College will be: Tito Hamala (prop), Declan McGuire (lock), Harry Bate (flanker), Will Reardon (halfback), Barry Taukolo (wing), Bond Bradley (inside centre), Billy Spicer (outside centre) and Noah Fien (fullback).
Reigning premiers Nudgee College deserve to enter the season as the team to beat but they won’t have it easy.
An exciting crop of Brisbane Boys’ College students and an amped-up Toowoomba Grammar outfit are going to be big challengers.
Indeed the competition is wide open. Don’t expect to see the premiership unbeaten in 2025.
A very talented bunch from Brisbane State High can ruffle feathers, as can Churchie and The Southport School.
We have Ipswich Grammar pinned as dark horses.
A skilful Gregory Terrace also look more than capable, along with an impressive Brisbane Grammar who look could be anything in 2025.
They will sit out with a bye in round 1 and have more strike than we’ve seen this decade.
ROUND 1 TEAMS
TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR V BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE
TGS: 1. Arch Campbell, 2. Ruben Kruger, 3. Harrison Humphreys, 4. Ben Walker, 5. Rupeni Baravilala (co-captain), 6. Ethan Ramsay, 7. Keegan Cook, 8. Rhymen, Tusi, 9. Jack Brown, 10. Cooper Brown**, 11. Petelo Maka**, 12. Luke Burrow (co-captain), 13. Adam Davis, 14. Isiah Wuruki**, 15. Myles Rosemond.
BBC: 1. Jeremiah Kite**, 2. Luke Nilsson**, 3. Harry Asi, 4. Jack Randall, 5. Tavita Loughland, 6. Charlie Wehl**, 7. Kiama Jione, 8. Gray O’Neill (captain), 9. Harry Munro**, 10. Toby Kennedy, 11. Ryder Koia, 12. Andres Ayache, 13. Taione Taka (vice-captain), 14. Cooper Murray**, 15. Jonah Wilde.
THE PREVIEW
BBC will have a baptism of fire when they drive up the range to face Toowoomba Grammar on Old Boys’ Oval.
The school is chasing its first premiership since the one in 2020 that broke a 66-year drought.
Lining up at loosehead prop is Jeremiah Kite, the son of GPS Rugby Club head coach Sio Kite.
His hooker will be former Bishop Druitt College student Luke Nilsson, a Coffs Harbour product and SCU Marlins junior who has been brewing in the shadows.
He, pick-and-drive terror Kite and Australian Under-16s selection Harry Asi, a young giant with loads of potential, have a great supporting cast behind them.
Locking-duo Jack Randall and Tavita Loughland were both regulars in last year’s team and are back, bigger and stronger, for their final year.
The powerful pair have size, strength, skill and representative experience with the Reds Under-16s.
In the backrow, University of Queensland Junior Colt Charlie Wehl will make his debut at blindside flanker and his partner in the flanks will be Kiama Jione, a Sunshine Coast product with power and deceptive speed.
BBC will be without halfback Isaac Kefu (ACL) but in his place is a young smokey, Harry Munro.
Canterbury (South Island) product Munro will be providing snappy service to returning playmaker Toby Kennedy who scored two tries last season when playing Brisbane Grammar.
He should feel bulletproof with the calibre of backline players that surround him.
Inside centre Andres Ayache, who was racing the clock to be fit and has come through, was very good last year.
The Melbourne-raised backline Mr Fix It has Taione Taka on his outside.
Taka is a terrific talent, someone opposition coaches will have instructed their teams on.
He is a red alert player, a humble Sunshine Coast product with potential oozing out of him.
BBC have speed galore on the wings. Warwick wonder Cooper Murray will make his debut and has the backing of one and all.
He is known for making smart decisions, and has the attacking prowess and athleticism to add plenty after eyebrow-raising performances in BBC’s tour of South Africa.
On the other wing, Ryder Koia has the speed and strength to do the same. He played the entire 2024 season and is coming off a strong Meninga Cup campaign with Easts.
At fullback, Jonah Wilde earns his start after a whiz-bang Connell Cup campaign as the captain of Easts.
He is a GPS rugby junior who can help blitz the best defences with his footy smarts, communication and observation.
He has previously played flyhalf coming through the ranks.
The Toowoomba Grammar scrum looms large with returning trio Arch Campbell, Ruben Kruger and Harrison Humphreys better for the experience of last year.
Campbell’s go is the collision, Kruger is a dynamic young gun and Humphreys is a scrum-time enthusiast who works hard around the set piece.
Tall Toowoomba local Ben Walker will don jersey No. 4 and he won’t be content just winning lineouts. He is busy at the breakdown and in attack.
His second-row accomplice, Maryborough marvel Rupeni Baravilala, is co-captain and has great leadership qualities.
There is no question as to his playing ability.
The Toowoomba Grammar backrow is more than capable.
Blindside flanker Ethan Ramsay is another great leader who will set a high standard with his work ethic. Openside Keegan Cook, a skilful on-ball flanker, came off the bench last season but will start this year as a Year 11 student.
Every team needs a player like Keagan Cook.
Rounding out the pack is robust No. 8 Rhymen Tusi, a goalkicking forward and strike weapon who can and will give Toowoomba Grammar extra punch in attack.
Halfback Jack Brown enters his third and final year in the First XV. His speed of delivery is right up there.
His flyhalf Cooper Brown, who is of no relation, is a calming influence for teammates who can conduct a match well.
He showed that in the 16As last season and is in the First XV leadership group as a result.
When it comes to wingers, Toowoomba Grammar have the best of both worlds.
New faces Patelo Maka, an Auckland enforcer from Sacred Heart College, and Isiah Wuruki, a speedster from Western Australia, are sure to feature heavily.
Watch for the toughness of No. 11 Maka and finishing finesse of pacy No. 14 Wuruki, an electric boarder of Indigenous heritage.
Determined inside centre Luke Burrow (co-captain), speedy outside centre Adam Davis and fancy fullback Myles Rosemond are all sure to have their moments as well.
Townsville product Rosemond recently inked a three-year deal with the Cowboys.
CHURCHIE v THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL
CHURCHIE: 1. Jacob Knowles**, 2. Harry Batkin**, 3. Hunter Tauakipulu**, 4. Spencer Parkes, 5. Liam Gordon, 6. Tom Wood (co-captain), 7. Duke Thallon**, 8. Sam Williams, 9. Alfie Bowman, 10. Fletcher Austin, 11. Will Chandler, 12. Treyvon Pritchard (co-captain), 13. Bailen Noy, 14. Marty Hatcher**, 15. Angus Underwood.
TSS: 1. Kingsley Uys (captain), 2. Ryder Tee, 3. Hunter Pyke, 4. Oscar Dunn**, 5. Lachie Crain**, 6. Viliami Fifita, 7. Ky Morris, 8. Elijah Galloway**, 9. Jason Campese**, 10. Dallas Ingram, 11. Lewis McDermid**, 12. Kilarney Lavender, 13. Ashton McDermid**, 14. Dylan Terblanche, 15. James Smith**.
THE PREVIEW
Churchie’s Main Oval will entertain a rip-snorting round 1 clash between TSS and Churchie, with both teams ushering in plenty of new faces.
The home side has a brand new front row with debut boys Jacob Knowles, Harry Batkin (hooker) and Hunter Tauakipulu getting their first taste.
Knowles, a 16As player last year, is a solid scrummager who fronts up defensively.
Batkin, the captain of the 16As last year, has a rugby head and works his backside off.
Hunter Tauakipulu, who has been plagued with injuries over the past few years, has worked his way back and is ready to fire.
He will be eager to make up for lost time in his senior year.
Second rowers Spencer Parkes and Liam Gordon, a centre last year making a stunning conversion into the tight five, will have much greater responsility this season.
They can handle it.
Tireless flanker Tom Wood returns after a superb debut season in 2024. He is as good as any in his position and Churchie will be confident with him in their side.
Duke Thallon, a 15As defensive top gun last year, makes his debut at openside flanker while No. 8 Sam Williams looms a big ball-running threat at the back of the scrum.
Williams looks primed for a big campaign.
The same can be said for starting No. 9 Alfie Bowman who warmed his engines last year behind Hugh Rylance.
Bowman had a ripper campaign with the Reds Under-16s in the Spring and can get Churchie where they need to be with his kicking game.
Third-year First XV selection Fletcher Austin will call the shots from flyhalf which is a huge positive for Churchie.
Even as a Year 10 in 2023 Austin had plenty of great moments. He is older, wiser and ready to go out with a bang in 2025.
Stationed on each wing will be Marty Hatcher, a Year 11 student with speed and strength, and Will Chandler, a fast-paced outside back who featured a handful of times last year.
Country kid Chandler can do it all.
The No. 15 jersey belongs to Angus Underwood, a skilled flyhalf or fullback who adds finnese and a touch of class, as well as a big kick.
In the midfield, inside centre Treyvon Pritchard (Reds) and outside centre Bailen Noy (Raiders) have flair, speed and bucket loads of skill.
Watch for Pritchard’s footwork and Noy’s passing and kicking game.
Getting over TSS won’t be a walk in the park.
Loosehead Kingsley Uys, a rising star who moves very well for a prop, will be amped up and alongside him hooker Ryder Tee and tighthead Hunter Pyke are motivated and hard working.
Tee, a sound set-piece technician, has been a TSS student since prep. Pyke, a Year 11 student who also started his journey at the school in prep, was a pre-season standout whose physicality will help from get-go after last year offering punch off the bench.
Debutants Oscar Dunn and Lachie Crain will handle the lineout.
Dunn, the son of former Gold Coast first grade stalwart Courtney, knows his role back to front and will both lift and jump.
Crain, slightly new to the position, can be trusted to make smart decisions and has good match fitness given his ability as a rower.
Hardworking openside Ky Morris, a tough-as-nails type in his 13th and final year at the school, will partner fellow returning forward Viliami Fifita in the flanks.
The impressive Fifita is in good nick and is going to be a ripper this season.
Elijah Galloway will make his debut at No. 8 but is unique in the fact he can play as a front-rower equally well. The promising Lennox Heads product has a wide skill set.
Speaking of a wide skill set, it doesn’t get much wider than that of Jason Campese’s.
The son of a gun (Wallaby great David), Jason has an uncanny ability to be one step ahead of the play.
His spidey-senses have aided TSS in its successful pursuit of the 2023 and 2024 First XI cricket premierships.
Flyhalf Dallas Ingram, a high-class league playmaker, will run out vice-captain of the team. He is an expert leader whose understanding of rugby is going from strength-to-strength.
He has strike on his right in elite centre Kilarney Lavender — a bit of a prodigy who does what he wants when he wants on the field and can make a difference.
The ultra-fit Dylan Terblanche, a Reds Under-16s staple last year, will play on the wing but can help Ingram manage matches and organise the backline.
Canberra product James Smith, a versatile Year 10 student, has the kicking game and character that makes him a perfect fit at fullback.
It will be a nice moment for the McDermid family with identical twins Ashton (No. 13) and Lewis (No. 11) making their debuts in a slick backline division.
Great kids first and good footballers second, the Proserpine brothers have speed, instincts and pink and blue boots to help you tell them apart.
GREGORY TERRACE v IPSWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
IGS: 1. Tyler Riddell**, Caleb West, 3. Lance Po-Ching, 4. Tom Smith**, 5. Mostyn Bowen, 6. Lane Edmonds, 7. Harry Cohen (vice-captain), 8. Tannar Baker, 9. Jack Garnier**, 10. Tyson Walker, 11. Hemi Rakuita, 12. Brock Coombes, 13. Finn Kendall, 14. Leo Briggs**, 15. Marlon Frost (captain).
GT: Jerry Harbottle**, 2. Charlie Hollyman, 3. Nick Weir**, 4. Rupert McGrath, 5. William Devine, 6. Hugo Hawke**, 7. Archer Ilott, 8. Oliver Nasser (captain), 9. George Hales (vice-captain), 10. Tom Weir**, 11. Ioane Feaunati**, 12. Franck Iraguha, 13. Tom Merrett, 14. Frank Illot**, 15. William Dennis.
THE PREVIEW
The Internationals Field in Tennyson will play host to Ipswich Grammar versus Gregory Terrace, with seats in the stands surely hot commodity.
Ipswich Grammar will be without imposing forward Jack Calleja and Gregory Terrace will miss centre Connor Clifford. Both sides have depth at their disposal.
Ipswich Grammar have unveiled a top notch line-up, with loosehead Tyler Riddell one of four debutants in the starting side.
A Year 11 student, Riddell recently represented Queensland Schoolboys II at the national championships on the Sunshine Coast.
That was where the dynamic Ipswich local showed speed and strength at every turn.
He partners hooker Caleb West and Northern Territory product Lance Po-Ching in the front row.
Po-Ching hails from the Casuarina Cougars in Darwin. Alongside Riddell and West, a former Reds Under-15s selection (2022), Ipswich Grammar will be well serviced.
Ipswich Rangers rookie Tom Smith will make his debut in the second row alongside Newcastle big man Mostyn Bowen.
Bowen hovers around the 110kg mark and has good footwork at the line. He will be better for last year’s experience, his first in the GPS competition.
The Ipswich Grammar backrow is Explosive with a capital E.
Excitement has been building around impressive blindside flanker Lane Edmonds, a sought-after league middle forward whose first love was rugby.
Openside Harry Cohen has been named vice-captain and is obviously a good leader. The University junior has Tannar Baker behind him at No.8.
Baker, a Broncos Academy rookie, will be among the first to throw his hand up and tackle Gregory Terrace prime-movers Hollyman and Nasser.
Jack Garnier will make his debut at halfback. He is only in Year 10 but the saying goes ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’.
He’s good all right.
Third-year players Tyson Walker (flyhalf), Brock Coombes (inside centre) and Finn Kendall (outside centre) are sure to be good with two years under their belt and a renewed thirst for success.
Coombes, a winger in the past, has been given the green light to rock and roll in a new position.
Trusty fullback Marlon Frost, a Coffs Coast kid who makes the right reads, has been entrusted with captaincy duties.
On each wing will be Australian Under-16s rugby selection Hemi Rakuita, a Fijian flyer who has improved considerably over the past 18 months, and debutant Leo Briggs.
The fleet-a-foot Briggs hails from Innisfail in Far North Queensland, a region which has an extraordinary record at producing outstanding football talent.
It will be a real family affair for Terrace The Brave.
Twins Nick and Tom Weir, a prop and flyhalf respectively, are one of three sets of brothers who will play.
Archer Illot and Frank Illot, as well as Will Devine and his brother Hugh, who will come off the bench, are the other brotherly duos that will challenge Ipswich Grammar.
Tighthead Nick Weir makes his debut alongside oustanding third-year hooker Charlie Hollyman and fellow debutant Jerry Harbottle, a rock-solid scrummager in Year 11.
Returning second rowers Rupert McGrath and Will Devine will handle the lineout for Gregory Terrace. McGrath is your typical hard working lock.
Devine, a Bs player coming through the ranks, has improved considerably and enters his second season in the First XV.
Hawke will get his first taste at blindside flanker. He is a gifted musician who debates well in the school competitions and near the breakdown.
Archer Illot is also good over the ball and his brother Frank will look to finish tries on the wing.
Number-eight enforcer Oli Nasser is sure to feature heavily on both sides of the ball.
Nasser and fellow third-year selection George Hales (scrumhalf) will spearhead Gregory Terrace as captain and vice-captain respectively.
The plucky Hales will service reliable flyhalf Tom Weir.
Weir is no Flash Dan but his effective kicking, game management and instincts will help considerably.
Ioane Feaunati, a Year 11 student of Samoan heritage, will make his debut on the wing.
Athletic inside centre Franck Iraguhu, an imposing figure who hits hard in defence, returns for another season.
He is a defensive strongman.
On his outside is the dependable Tom Merrett, Gregory Terrace’s First VIII rowing captain.
Hardworking fullback Will Dennis, also a very good halfback, has the quick feet and competitive edge to hold down his end of the bargain in the backfield.
BSHS v NUDGEE COLLEGE
BSHS: 1. Tyrece Herniman, 2. Cyrus Suniula, 3. Darnel Taki**, 4. Luke Thornton, 5. Manasa Vunibola, 6. Robert Piutau**, Henry Willis**, 8. Jesse Maugatai (co-captain), 9. Isaiah Nuku**, 10. Richie Taulagi**, 11. Jack Phinney**, 12. Flynn Corbett**, 13. Taoso Taoso**, 14. Jeremiah Patea**, 15. Angus Tagicakibau (co-captain).
NUDGEE COLLEGE: 1. Tito Hamala**, Isaac Rauluni, Levi Slater (captain), Bennett Armistead, Declan McGuire**, Ben Di Donna, Harry Bate**, Teina Graham, Will Reardon**, Archie Mesritz, Barry Taukolo**, Bond Bradley**, Billy Spicer**, Oliver Patterson, Noah Fien**.
THE PREVIEW
The grand final rematch promises to be a riveting one at Fursden Road, with some of Queensland’s finest teen rugby and rugby league prospects named for the clash.
Brisbane State High have rebuilt and are ready to challenge again. Loosehead Tyrece Herniman, slightly undersized for a prop but extremely versatile in open space, returns after a stellar 2024 season.
Alongside the physical Herniman is Brisbane State High’s enforcer, hooker Cyrus Suniula.
A great leader, Suniula will hold the lantern for emerging tighthead Darnel Taki, a promising Year 11 student with great skills and the passing game of an inside back.
The engine room of Luke Thornton and Manasa Vunibola is something to behold.
Thornton, a trojan worker with a selfless attitude, looks like the glue player that can connect the tight five and the entire forward pack for that matter.
He is tough and so is smart Fijian Vunibola, an athletic freak who excels in the classroom.
Lining up at blindside flanker is Robert ‘Robby’ Piutau, an athletic second-generation player who is rugged like his dad Robert, or ‘Bobby’, as his old Brisbane State High First XV teammates referred to him as.
Opposition forwards won’t have it easy at the breakdown. Openside Henry Willis, a strong-over-the-ball Year 11 student, is a carbon copy of 2024 Team of the Season flanker Trent Picot.
His hard work will complement the robust running of big No. 8 and co-captain Jesse Maugatai.
Halfback for Brisbane State High is Year 11 student Isaiah Nuku, a small but courageous kid of Maori heritage.
He will empty the tank.
The younger brother of Cowboys NRL star Murray Tualagi — a member of Brisbane State High’s 2016 premiership team — will steer the ship from flyhalf.
His name is Richie and word on the street is the kid’s even better than Murray was at his age.
Stationed on each wing are two athletic specimens. On one side will be Jack Phinney, a big-bodied Dolphins Academy ace who will run hard and fast.
On the other touchline will be versatile Brothers product Jeremiah Patea, a Queensland Schoolboys selection who could play anywhere in the backline.
The strong-in-the-air Patea will feature in various positions across the season.
At inside centre, reliable utility Flynn Corbett will make his debut.
The Souths junior can get the job done.
Next to him will be water polo prodigy Taoso Taoso, a superb athlete whose communication, leadership and defiant defence can offset the strike of Nudgee College’s backline weapons.
An edge forward in the Dolphins academy system, the long-striding Taoso will play outside centre for BSHS.
Brisbane State High’s fullback, Angus Tagicakibau, needs no introduction.
His class will come to light.
Nudgee College have eight debutants in their starting 15, one of which is an excitement machine from Auckland.
Year 10 winger Barry Taukolo is his name and you’ll see what the fuss is about in due time.
In the front row, powerful loosehead prop Tito Hamala makes his debut alongside 2024 premiership-winner Isaac Rauluni, a converted hooker who, like last year’s captain John Grenfell, was a backrower not too long ago.
On the other side of the scrum is Adelaide Ace in the pack Levi Slater, the captain.
Bennett Armistead, a 203cm tall timber, partners debutant Declan McGuire in the second row.
The athletic McGuire played First V Volleyball in term 1 and will be in his element catching lineouts and kick-offs.
Ben Di Donna, an unsung piece of last year’s premiership puzzle, returns alongside new face Harry Bate, a defensive demon who tackles for fun.
Teina Graham, whose 2024 campaign was disrupted by injury, is back and ready to let rip.
Young gun Will Reardon, a boarder from Warialda in NSW, steps into the halfback role.
A backrower earlier in his career, Reardon still taps into that toughness to get under the skin of his rivals.
Newcastle product Archie Mesritz will pull the trigger on backline moves from flyhalf, with Taukolo and long-striding winger Oli Patterson looming large out wide.
In the midfield, debut boys Bond Bradley (Broncos) and Billy Spicer (Dolphins) have class and x-factor.
Noah Fien, an impressive rugby league halfback signed by the Dolphins, has been given room to rove at fullback.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is GPS First XV rugby.
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