AIC First XV rugby’s best new faces; Rd 5 team of the week
AIC First XV rugby latest: The competition’s best 30 new faces named here, along with the round 5 team of the week.
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AIC First XV rugby has been graced by a fresh crop of superb schoolboys this season who have injected new life into the competition and given their respective sides an edge.
New faces like Darcy Kerr (Villanova), Harry Taylor (St Laurence’s) and Archie Searle (Ashgrove) have been top notch but teams just don’t tick without their match hardened young veterans of multiple campaigns. Think Seb Gardiner (Ashgrove), Pat Albion (St Edmund’s), Paul Deeb (St Peters) and Diesel Hauff (Iona).
One of the competition’s elite front rowers, St Laurence’s loosehead Luka Smith, will make his 20th First XV appearance for the black and golds on Saturday when they travel east to Wynnum for a bout with Iona.
A typically hard front rower who puts his head where it needs to be and gives his all, Smith was his school’s Doubles Daley medallist after its 22-12 loss against Padua in round 5.
Although he was quality, Smith didn’t have his best game. The medal was a just reward for a player who has put his heart and soul into the Laurie’s rugby program and led from the front.
“This week particularly, I think the medal reflects the leadership that he (Smith) showed,” St Laurence’s coach Dave Sheehan said.
“He really got around the boys when he lost his leaders (Tom O’Callaghan, Henry Page, Billy Rowan all out injured in round 5) and he put it on everyone saying ‘let’s get on the front foot against these guys and not back down’.”
Smith followed his own advice, showing the way with a wholehearted performance full of carries.
A “very proud” Sheehan remembers Smith, aged 15 at the time, getting stuck in during his debut game years ago against traditional rivals Ashgrove.
He hasn’t let up.
“I vividly remember him starting against Ashgrove, in the biggest game, and making an impact from the get go,” Sheehan recalled.
“He was really busy as a Year 10 kid, he hunted an early break and shut it down really hard and fast and got the turnover.
“Luka’s passion for the game and pride for pulling on a jersey and trying to do his best for the team is his biggest attribute.
“His ability to talk and harden up the rest of the group is another.
“I am very proud of him.”
Smith’s effort in a beaten side was one of many highlights from round 5 of the season.
Read on for the latest team of the week and the competition’s best new faces ahead of a round which will see Villa host Marist, St Edmund’s take on St Peters, Iona battle St Laurence’s and St Patrick’s square off against Padua.
Some other highlights from last weekend included:
+Archie Searle’s three-try performance for Ashgrove which was a just reward following his dominant scrummaging performance and unbelievable physicality around the field.
+ Digby Cahill’s sound debut game for St Laurence’s on the wing. Cahill had his 10As season taken off him last year due to a bad head knock and had a nice start to his First XV career with strong cover tackling a feature.
+Instrumental lock-forward Will Ross and makeshift flyhalf Nate Clark providing a knockout one-two punch to down St Laurence’s in the wet.
+ Hudson Bishop’s stoic performance in the midfield for Villanova.
+St Patrick’s gutsy 15-5 victory over Iona. Abe Huxtable, No. 8, was immense at Curlew Park.
AIC RUGBY’S TEAM OF THE WEEK
15 Darcy Kerr (Villanova)
14 Kalen Atthow (St Laurence’s)
13 Hudson Bishop (Villanova)
12 Sean Green (Ashgrove)
11 Digby Cahill (St Laurence’s)
10 Nate Clark (Padua)
9 Alex Borger (Villanova)
8 Abe Huxtable (St Patrick’s)
7 Seb Gardiner (Ashgrove)
6 James Johnston (Ashgrove)
5 Will Ross (Padua)
4 Cam Medley (Iona)
3 Paul Deeb (St Peters)
2 Nomis Fidow (St Peters)
1 Archie Searle (Ashgrove)
Reserves: Luka Smith (St Laurence’s),Liam Whale (Iona),Seb Kracht (St Edmund’s), Nate Pearce (St Edmund’s), Gio Koopu (St Laurence’s), Tom Gainer (St Laurence’s), Tom Ahern (St Laurence’s), Kalen Atthow (St Laurence’s), Nic Nadenic (St Laurence’s), Max Rakitovsky (Villanova), Lachie Francis (Villanova), Matt Linnell (Villanova), Brooklyn Faalafi (Padua), Jacob Grant (Padua), Elliot Aldridge (Ashgrove).
AIC RUGBY’S BEST NEW FACES THIS SEASON
LIAM RICE (ASHGROVE)
Rice, a little livewire with spiders on him, has added an attacking spark and razzle dazzle to an Ashgrove backline featuring a potent centre combination in Sean Green and Xavier Howard.
On the wing, the quick feet of Rice has scurried his side forward and left defenders stuck in the mud.
A hidden gem in the Fourths last year as a Year 11 student, Rice has shifted gears and shifted his power even quicker when accelerating in a flash out of confined spaces.
JOSH MADDEN (ST LAURENCE’S)
A great team man, Madden has been rock solid at No. 9 for St Laurence’s.
A typically yappy scrumhalf with a big heart, lots of talk and a great pass, Madden was one of the better box kickers in the competition.
GIO KOOPU (ST LAURENCE’S)
He meant business against Padua on Saturday.
A really tough footballer, his straight running got Laurie’s over the gain line regularly in round 5, and the four games before that.
Will return to the fold in 2026.
TOM AHERN (ST LAURENCE’S)
There have been plenty of notable new faces in the Laurie’s pack, such as energetic hooker Brad Smith, tighthead Vin Rix, smart lock Tom Gainer and backrower Nick Nadenic.
Flyhalf Ahern has been top notch too, organising the Laurie’s backs precision and direction.
On a wet day in Banyo on Saturday, Ahern’s kicking game and composure was to be admired.
JARAH CHASELING (PADUA)
A rugby league edge forward giving Padua a spark in the outside backs, the slippery Chaseling has been a grand new face for the competition’s reigning premiers.
He has been dangerous with limited opportunity and when he had his hands full at fullback against Laurie’s in round 5, Chaseling was a mistake-free customer who evaded first tacklers often.
JACK MERCER (PADUA)
Fresh off a quality First XI cricket campaign as a batter in term 1, Mercer was quick to get his hands dirty as Padua’s loosehead prop.
Game at scrum time and full of beans in general play, Mercer has regularly caught the eye with his work rate, presence one off the ruck as an attacker and energy across 70 minutes.
Spare a thought for boundless flanker Tom O’Regan, reliable scrumhalf Billy Atchison and Harry Walsh (hooker).
JETT TUPOU (VILLANOVA)
Built low to the ground and a handful close to the tryline, young Tupou has taken games by the scruff of the neck and given Villanova oomph in pick-and-drive play.
A Year 11 student, Tupou had a two-try blinder against Iona earlier this season and around that he has been a constant menace with his determined, burrowing runs from anywhere on the field.
LACHIE FRANCIS (VILLANOVA)
The entire Villanova backline deserves a run here given they are all fairly new to the First XV scene.
Flyhalf Francis has been particularly sound with his communication, clearance kicking and width of passes.
Behind him, fullback Darcy Kerr has caused headaches.
HUDSON BISHOP (VILLANOVA)
Bishop was meant to feature for the competition’s big improvers last season but injury starved him of that opportunity.
He has made up for lost time in 2025, holding down the Villa midfield with strong, dependable defence and straight running.
It is little wonder why Villa are turning heads with Easts league juniors Bishop and Max Rakitovsky relishing a rugby season in the centres.
HARLEM FAALAFI (PADUA)
Centre Harlem Faalafi has smacked onlookers between the eyes with his contribution to Padua’s backs division. He announced himself in game No.1 against St Edmund’s and there has been plenty to like since from this ripping young talent who has plenty of upside to his game. His centre partner Harrison Vera is also making waves. Watch this space when it comes to this pair.
LUCAS COLRAINE (IONA)
Lock Liam Whale has been the find of the season for Iona. In the backrow, youngster Lucas Colraine has only featured a handful of times but looks a promising type heading into 2026.
With skipper Diesel Hauff graduating at year’s end, Colraine is the future with his threatening play in the wider channels sure to grow with time.
The Swifte brothers Bailey and Kalix, fullback Max Bolton and powerhouse Cooper Benvenuti have also been key in a challenging season for the Ionians.
HENRY PAGE (ST LAURENCE’S)
We have only seen a glimpse of his livewire flanker because of a late start recovering from injury, and then an actual injury, but Henry Page has shown he is absolute quality. He was so good against St Edmund’s that he won the Doubles Daley Medal - and he only played half a match.
LUKE COFFEY (IONA)
Coffey caught the early when he worked hard off his wing against Padua in a tight round 2 fixture, won 35-26 by Padua.
Small but brave, Coffey is an exciting little player with his instincts, speed, and deceptiveness.
Gutsy.
JAMES JOHNSTON (ASHGROVE)
Ashgrove’s back three forwards of Seb Gardiner, Elliott Aldridge and Johnston have played a huge part in the First XV’s performances this season. While captain Gardiner has been the flagbearer, fellow flanker Johnston has not been light years behind him with his explosive leg drive carrying the ball, passing game and urgency in the attacking line. He’s a good flanker, is this kid.
TOM O’REGAN AND JACOB GRANT (PADUA)
The loose forward pairing have been dynamic for the premiers, spearheading Padua’s defence of its title on both sides of the ball. While it is easy to get romanced by Padua’s sweeping outside back fire power and the upfront crunch of prop Mercer, but this pair have been unsung heroes during their respective debut seasons.
ARCHIE SEARLE (ASHGROVE)
A backrower last year, Searle has switched to the front row with vim and vigour to deliver some standout performances.
He played the house down against St Edmund’s on Saturday which was a culmination of hard work, focus and a competitive edge which has served him well in a season of learning.
“He actually enjoys the dark arts of being a loosehead prop,” Ashgrove coach Richard smiled.
JOEY CERVETTO (ASHGROVE)
An influential piece of the puzzle this season for Ashgrove.
Flyhalf Cervetto, a water polo ace of considerable potential, has matured with his patience to add consistency to a bounty of skill. He started the season in the outside backs but has been the perfect link between his halfback, Harry Graham, and his backs who have been etching to get the ball in their hands.
His two-try performance against St Patrick’s in round 3 was a highlight this season.
Marist fullback Oliver Millard has also done a splendid job, garnishing his debut season with three tries against Ashgrove.
WILL LOVEGROVE (ST PETERS)
Lovegrove has shown glimpses of brilliance here and there and the good news is he is back in 2026.
The team’s vice-captain, Lovegrove has showcased an effective kicking game, good direction and a willingness to go himself when the pressure is on.
HARRY TAYLOR (ST LAURENCE’S)
A fullback, Harry Taylor has been an attacking threat in most matches for his school. His brilliant creation of a try during the round 4 clash against Ashgrove was one of the highlights of the match. A notable rugby league halfback, the kid can play rugby as a fullback as well, don’t you worry.
NOMIS FIDOW (ST PETERS)
A Cairns product now in the dorms at St Peters, Fidow has forged a great debut season in the front row.
Alongside Paul Deeb and Shaye Batty, Fidow has stood his ground in a Saints scrum which has been a big positive in a tough campaign.
The Cairns Kangaroos junior is only scratching the surface of his abilities.
ABE HUXTABLE (ST PATRICK’S)
No. 8 Huxtable had considerable shoes to fill following in the footsteps of 2024 No. 8 Cohen Taylor and he has been rock solid.
Relishing more responsibility, Huxtable has been busy with his work across the park with his runs, tackles and lineout work.
MITCH WALLIS (ST PATRICK’S)
A revelation at hooker, Wallis has willed his way to multiple Doubles Daley medals and improved his running game vastly in the process.
A good scrummager on the up, Wallis is only in Year 10 but has been one of the first chosen in the team each week.
ONOSAI CVETKO-LUEGER (ST PATRICK’S)
All flyhalves are tasked with a big job of helping their teams to victory and young Cvetko-Lueger has had his hand in keeping St Patrick’s in games.
A quality performer in round 5’s 15-5 success over a battered and bruised Iona, Cvetko-Lueger has built on a successful club season with the Brothers Junior Colts team.
MARKUS ISELIN (ST EDMUND’S)
A product of the Ipswich Rangers, Iselin has been warming his engines alongside inside backs Josh Polkinghorne and Hallam Cooper who are also Rangers boys.
Iselin, originally from Far North Queensland, has been a brute with Connor Gordan (loosehead) and Fletcher Haspels (hooker) in the front row.
His improvement has been evident in a testing season.
BRAD SMITH (ST LAURENCE’S)
Hooker Brad Smith has done a good job for St Laurence’s during their debut season, buying into the rugged, physical forward style of play. He and another new chum, prop Vin Rix, have also done an excellent job supporting primary forward Luka Smith at scrum time while his line out throws have generally found their mark.
SEB KRACHT (ST EDMUND’S)
A huge performer for St Edmund’s this season.
At lock or flanker, the forward utility has muscled up and moved in when his team was under fire and he has demanded praise.
Somewhat of an athletic marvel, Kracht has had plenty of help from trusty skipper Will Tatt and hardworking No. 8 Jack Breuer.
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