Who were the Speed Demons, Cross Code Wonders of TAS rugby?

Who were the speed demons setting the TAS First XV rugby competition alight? Revealed here, along with the cross code wonders who represent their school in multiple sports.

The TAS First XV rugby season reached a flashpoint last Saturday when reigning premiers St Columban’s College won a thriller, 10-6, over visitors John Paul College in the game of the round.

Both teams were undefeated, three-from-three to begin the season, with St Columban’s putting a down payment on another finals berth following the four point success.

TAS RUGBY: ROUND FOUR TOP PERFORMERS

Ahead of the Team of the Week revelation on Thursday, we shine a light on over 20 whiz kids lighting up TAS sport.

We name the Speed Demons of the TAS rugby competition, as well as the sporting all rounders who represent their school in multiple facets.

SPEED DEMONS

Action from round four's Pink Day fixture between St Paul's and WestMAC. Picture credit: Tempus Media.

Tadiwa Manangazira (Canterbury)

Despite playing in the back row, Manangazira would be Canterbury’s quickest.

A winger last season, Canterbury coach Josh Afu has moved him into flanker this year where he has shown glimpses of brilliance.

Charlie Menzies (Canterbury)

The outside centre from Tasmania is full of speed and gives Canterbury an exciting option to go wide when it is on.

Liam Payne (St Paul’s)

Liam Payne. Picture: John Gass

Fast off the mark and uncatchable in space, Payne has impressed with his acceleration and speed in two seasons of First XV rugby at St Paul’s.

The sleek mover is the definition of a speed demon.

Mason Plummer (WestMAC)

winger, he is one of the fastest 100m runners in TAS.

Plummer has pace and his opponents know it because each year he shows it at the TAS athletics carnival.

He is a natural, an electric winger who would be one of the fastest kids whizzing around in TAS sport.

Action from round four's Pink Day fixture between St Paul's and WestMAC. Picture credit: Tempus Media.

Tom Mitchell and Dom Filipo (St Columban’s)

St Columban’s have two quicksilver wingers in youngsters Mitchell and Filipo, with both boys having shown their speed countless times this season.

Mitchell’s double against CHAC was proof, while elite finisher Filipo would give him a good run for his money if put to the test.

Sam West and Michael Herrmannsen (Ormiston)

Michael Herrmannsen gets his fend going. Picture credit: Barb Herrmannsen.

Last year’s grand finalists have plenty of wheels in their backline, with agile fullback West and winger Herrmannsen often rivals on the track.

The 2024 school athletics day will decide who is fastest, but for now both can share spoils as fast paced outside backs more than capable of burning their opponents on brisk Saturday mornings.

Sam West. Picture: Barb Herrmannsen.

Eduard Welgemoed (Ormiston)

Adding to the excitement of this year’s athletics day, young gun Welgemoed will challenge West and Herrmannsen in the big Under-18s race.

Headgear wearing fullback West would be the favourite, but Herrmannsen and Welgemoed loom as game challengers, with outside centre Welgemoed the smokey.

Action from round four's Pink Day fixture between St Paul's and WestMAC. Picture credit: Tempus Media.

Max Miner (CHAC)

Whoosh!

Miner has pace and plenty of it on the wing for CHAC. The speedster runs the 100m in 11.1 seconds and at full speed no one is catching him.

Ryan Williamson (CHAC)

Williamson has the strength, fearlessness and the speed to be one of the premier midfielders in the competition.

The outside centre would be in Miner’s rear view mirror on the track, having clocked 11.3 seconds over 100m.

CROSS CODE WONDERS

Ma’afu Takai (Canterbury)

The high achieving Canterbury Year 11 student represents his school in Firsts rugby and in Firsts Volleyball where he can get up and spike a ball as good as anyone in the competition.

Josh Williams (Canterbury)

Williams dabbles in rugby and cricket, his medium pace and batting prowess providing Canterbury’s First XI with an extra dimension.

His medium pace has snared wickets and he can also plug a gap with ease.

Charlie Newton (Canterbury)

Newton has been engineering lineouts for Canterbury this season, but will come into his own next term when his footwork and soft touch near the rim will give Canterbury’s First V a boost down low.

He is a dominant big man who will lead the Firsts basketball team as captain.

Oliver Rauchle (St Paul’s)

Oliver Rauchle. Picture: Barbara Herrmannsen.

You rarely see a kid star in a school’s First XV and First XI but that was the case this year for big man Rauchle, a batting all rounder.

As a Year 10 student last year, Rauchle tonked a century and again this year found the gaps wielding his blade.

The right handed batter is also a handy medium fast bowler.

Tom Mitchell (St Columban’s)

The St Columban's First XV.

Mitchell has been a consistent performer for premiership contenders St Columban’s, but he is a football boy at heart.

He plays Firsts in the 11 a side game.

Josh Hynes (WestMAC)

Like Mitchell, Hynes is a quality football player possessing a booming kicking game.

A Met West selection, the kicking game of fullback Hynes was honed playing goalkeeper for the school’s First XI.

Carter and Xavier Mangan (CHAC)

CHAC’s No. 15, Mangan was also a Queensland representative in both beach and indoor volleyball, an expert hitter with hops.

Carter’s inside centre and younger brother Xavier was also a talented volleyballer who was a key cog in the school’s premiership winning First VI.

Eduard Welgemoed (Ormiston)

Eduard Welgemoed. Picture: Barb Herrmannsen.

He’s fast, strong and has a huge arm.

Sporting all-rounder Welgemoed represents Ormiston well in the sporting arena with the first year First XV midfielder a Javelin ace who placed fourth at this year’s Nationals.

Ormiston's Harrison Dhu. Picture courtesy of Barb Herrmannsen.

Harrison Dhu (Ormiston)

Before packing down scrums at tight-head in term 2, Dhu is spearheading the Ormiston First VI on the hardwood as the school’s Volleyball captain.

Action from round four's Pink Day fixture between St Paul's and WestMAC. Picture credit: Tempus Media.

Angus Plastow (Ormiston)

Plastow’s power game at No. 8 has been a highlight this season, but he also knows how to find the boundary and snare wickets on the cricket field.

A First XI batting all-rounder, Plastow scored a rollicking century against rugby rivals St Columban’s earlier this year.

Ormiston forward Angus Plastow. Picture courtesy of Barb Herrmannsen.

Originally published as Who were the Speed Demons, Cross Code Wonders of TAS rugby?