TAS First XV schoolboy rugby: Players to watch this season
TAS First XV schoolboy rugby players to watch from all seven schools revealed here, including those involved in Saturday’s big Logan derby between John Paul College and Canterbury.
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The time-honoured TAS First XV rugby competition returns on Saturday with three mouth-watering clashes in store to kickstart the season.
Traditional heavyweights St Columban’s College, the reigning premiers, enter the season favourites.
But will they have a cake walk to the premiership? Not on your life.
There are threats from every school capable of giving the 2023 and 2024 title-winners a run for their money and in round 1 the Caboolture school will face a tough test when they take aim in an early-season grudge match against visitors Ormiston College.
Changes to this year’s draw mean there is no grand final fixture — emphasising the importance of Saturday’s clash between last year’s first and second finishing teams.
Across town at John Paul College, a Logan City derby will christen the season with Josh Afu’s Canterbury College First XV looking to get off to a winning start.
That match promises to be exciting while in Ipswich, West Moreton Anglican College (WestMAC) welcome Cannon Hill Anglican College (CHAC).
So who were the players to watch in TAS rugby?
TAS RUGBY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Charlie Gardner (CHAC)
Gardner delivered the goods for CHAC in 2024 and all signs point toward him leaving a palpable mark on the school’s 2025 campaign as captain.
A skilled backrower, Gardner prides himself on doing the tough stuff, challenging the breakdown and making the tackles others might shy away from.
The No.8 holds the keys to CHAC having a successful season.
Nic O’Brien (CHAC)
An threat at the breakdown and in attack, O’Brien will line-up in the second row or as a flanker where his variety of passes, spatial awareness and tackling tenacity can work to turn the tide for CHAC.
He is a natural with the will to work hard for his teammates.
Henry Smith (CHAC)
Watch for Smith to finish tries for CHAC.
An outside back with speed to burn, Smith has a Spidey-sense when it comes to finding tries from next to no opportunity.
Adam Tynan (CHAC)
Tynan learned on the job last season at hooker and returns older and wiser for the 2025 season where he is set to be a linchpin in the defensive line.
A key organiser, Tynan has the mobility of a backrower and can add another dimension to CHAC’s pack.
Harry McDowell (WestMAC)
McDowell mastered the art of goalkicking last year — he missed just one kick last season — and he will again be looking to get WestMAC on the scoreboard in whatever way he can.
A quick-between-the-ears scrumhalf from the Ipswich Rangers, McDowell will captain WestMAC where his effective kicking game will complement his leadership.
Samson Noffke (WestMAC)
No mug off the street can walk into a starting spot in the Ipswich Jets’ Cyril Connell Cup representative under-17 team.
That’s a feat talented teen Noffke achieved playing rugby league earlier this year so his engines are warm entering a rugby season where he will start the counter-attack at fullback.
The Laidley local is an elusive outside back in rugby and under-18s national medal-winning field athlete in javelin.
Nate Levitt (John Paul College)
One of John Paul College’s most experienced players at this level, Levitt will unleash his running game from No.8 this season after previously playing lock.
Watch for the toughness, high work rate and breakdown brilliance of the physical all-rounder.
Leo Price (John Paul College)
Price will line up at flanker for JPC and just watch him go.
The expert jackler got through a mountain of work in 2024, flying under the radar with his Everywhere Man attitude that saw him pop up everywhere and get things done.
Expect more of the same this season.
Oliver Thompson (John Paul College)
Thompson is a utility who could feature at halfback or fly half for JPC. Either way he is going to be important, linking the forwards and backs together and keeping the game plan front of mind for his teammates.
Has the confidence and communication to guide them to success.
Ma’afu Takai (Canterbury College)
Takai finished the 2024 season with vigour, impacting games with his defensive work from flanker to inspire Canterbury to three straight wins.
A skilled flanker of New Zealand heritage, Takai played in a high-class Sunnybank under-18s team earlier this season in the junior colts lightning series.
Will be his third and final year of Firsts rugby and will be key in round 1 at flanker or in the midfield.
Max Newton and Sitaleki Tafa (Canterbury College)
The Canterbury College bash brothers have coach Josh Afu feverish for the season ahead.
Both viable lineout targets, the exciting second-row pair will be tasked with getting Canterbury over the advantage line and their stature, strength and mobility will be to the fore in getting this done.
Lebron Tusitala (Canterbury College)
Watch for Canterbury’s No.10 to steer the ship in style this season.
An exciting talent from Endeavour Hills in Melbourne, Tusitala will be blooded as a Year 11 student but he won’t be out of his depth — the goalkicking Melbourne Brothers Rugby product was in the Rebels’ Under-16s set-up last year.
Eduard Welgemoed (Ormiston College)
Welgemoed won’t be hard to find. Just look for the strong-running midfielder with sheer physicality and will in the tackle.
A tried and tested footballer of South African heritage, Welgemoed’s older brother Renier was the class centre of last year’s competition and Eduard will look to follow in his footsteps and make a difference in more ways than one.
Ashton Snell (Ormiston College)
Snell has been a Mr Fix it in the forward pack, toing and froing between positions in the last two years of First XV rugby.
He will move one position over from hooker to prop this season where he will lead, as captain, with his words and actions.
Watch his tireless actions moving from A to B without a second thought.
Ashton Gills (Ormiston College)
Watch for Snell’s namesake Ashton Gills to give his best at fly half.
A three-pronged threat running, kicking and passing the ball, Gills has caught the attention of his peers over the pre-season with his toughness, skill and control in matches.
A promising school rugby tour to Melbourne has this young playmaker primed for battle against bitter rivals St Columban’s.
Jaxon Schmid (Ormiston College)
Will wear jersey No.4 but might resemble a backrower with his mobility around the ground and gain-line presence.
Another eyebrow-raiser in the Ormiston pre-season, Schmid will make his debut in round 1 and could be called upon to punch Ormiston forward and get them rolling.
Lachlan North (St Columban’s College)
No.8 and captain Lachlan North looks set for a big campaign.
A Year 12 student, North played the entire season in 2024 and just understands rugby.
Expect smart decisions from the Saints skipper.
Lucas Curtis (St Columban’s College
The baby of the squad, Year 10 student Curtis will play fly half.
A gun touch footballer, Curtis is a smooth operator with solid communication skills and just a bit of class about him.
Charlie Ogden (St Columban’s College)
Ogden will switch gears from fly half to fullback this season where his running game will be to the fore.
Visibly bigger and better than last year, Ogden will look to hold down the fort at the back with his assurity under the high ball and kicking game.
Akeli Filipo (St Columban’s)
A talented senior, Filipo will wear jersey No.12 and it won’t take long for him to assert himself.
A defensive henchmen, Filipo is just the bloke St Columban’s want in the midfield. He can deal damage with his running game but also with his defence where his anticipation was a strong suit.
Watch for his younger brother Dom to dish up a few tries on the wing as well.
Harry Stannard (St Paul’s)
The Pumas never fail to bring through an absolute workhorse forward and this year Harry Stannard will be looking to carry that mantle each week.
A promising Year 11 student, the plucky open side flanker has set a high standard in pre-season and demanded respect from his older, more experienced peers who have stood up and taken note of his tenacious, tone-setting action.
Oliver Rauchle (St Paul’s)
A top gun in cricket, sporting all-rounder Rauchle will be a prime mover for St Paul’s. There is no doubt about it.
A No.8 moving into the midfield to add attacking thrust, Rauchle was a part of Brothers Rugby Club’s all-conquering junior colts team that defeated Bond University to take out the under-18s premiership earlier this year.
You’ll see what the fuss is all about from the big bopper donning jersey No.12.
Originally published as TAS First XV schoolboy rugby: Players to watch this season
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