NT rugby union juniors ready to take on the challenge of the Queensland State Championships

THE NT rugby union under-14 and under-16 rep teams have been selected and are preparing to take on some of the best in the country in the Queensland State Junior Boys Championships in Toowoomba from July 2

Cale Maurice from Swampdogs is expected to impress for the under 14s side. Picture: Supplied

THE NT rugby union under-14 and under-16 rep teams have been selected and are preparing to take on some of the best in the country in the Queensland State Junior Boys Championships in Toowoomba from July 2.

NTRU chief executive Shane Sullivan said the championships was a great opportunity for the rising stars to get a taste of interstate competition.

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“It’s a great opportunity for the boys after missing out on representative rugby last year,” Sullivan said.

“They’ve been working really hard in training over the past few months and are up for the challenge that will come.

“It’s going to be a strong side. We’re looking at success on and off the field and though we may be challenged by some teams it’s a real development experience for them.”

Mack Jackson will captain the under 16s. Picture: Supplied

Mack Jackson from Casuarina Cougars will captain the under-16s and while Cale Maurice from Swampdogs is expected to star in the under -14s.

Both squads are made up of players from across the Territory including Katherine and Alice Springs while others currently schooling interstate have also been selected.

“This is a real show of the growing talent in the Territory particularly after the change of local season to the wet season,” Sullivan said.

“It’s also important to note this team has representatives from across the Territory as well as including those who have moved interstate for schooling.”

The teams will be holding a fundraiser at Rugby Park on Saturday from 8-10am with the event including a car boot sale and a carwash.

UNDER-16s

Kyle Bader (Katherine/Palmerston Crocs)

Isea Bari (Tiwi Islands/South Darwin)

Noah Blundell (East Arnhem)

Ethan Brooks (Casuarina Cougars)

Cody Cooper (East Arnhem)

Mack Jackson (Casuarina Cougars)

Joshua King (Katherine/Palmerston Crocs/Marist College Ashgrove)

Manoli Klonaris (University Pirates)

Josh Malungi (East Arnhem)

Travis McDougall (Casuarina Cougars)

Brandon Norris (Palmerston Crocs)

Eamonn O’Donnell (Casuarina Cougars)

Ned Pitkin (East Arnhem)

Heno Potgieter (Casuarina Cougars)

Oliver Poulson (University Pirates)

Archie Reed (Casuarina Cougars)

Hayden Schatz (Palmerston Crocs)

Michael Skerrett (Katherine/Palmerston Crocs)

Vaughn Swanepoel (University Pirates)

Luke Tennant (Casuarina Cougars/The Southport School)

Izaiah Waters (Palmerston Crocs/St Brendans College Yeppoon)

Luke Xuereb (Casuarina Cougars)

Jack Zikan (University Pirates)

UNDER-14s

Hamish Blake (Palmerston Crocs)

Patrick Brown (University Pirates)

Mitchell Cooper (East Arnhem)

Angus Cram (Palmerston Crocs)

Jayden Curulala (Casuarina Cougars)

Liam Eadie (Palmerston Crocs)

Tomasi Eaton (South Darwin)

Al Fergurson (Casuarina Cougars)

Charlie Girle (East Arnhem)

Trent Harvey (MacKillop Saints)

Liam Houlihan (South Darwin)

Markus Iselin (Darwin Dragons)

Cale Maurice (Swampdogs)

James McRae (University Pirates)

Jias Mick (Casuarina Cougars)

Anaru Morgan (South Darwin)

Wakatiwai Parai (Central Australia)

Tennyson Phillips (Casuarina Cougars)

Lance Po-Ching (South Darwin)

Jeev Sattler (South Darwin)

Josh Thomson (University Pirates)

Ilikaya Turagavukica (South Darwin)

Sonny Yates (Darwin Dragons)