Downlands, Glennie and Toowoomba Grammar players ready for huge rugby day
RUGBY TALENT: The stars of Downlands, Glennie and Toowoomba Grammar’s rugby programs will be on show this Saturday. Check out our massive list of 115 players to watch here.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
From Wallabies Jason Little, Tim Horan and Garrick Morgan to Super Rugby stars like Hamish Stewart and Greg Holmes, fans of the annual Grammar-Downlands Day have witnessed some truly talented rugby players in action.
The recent addition of the Selena Worsley Shield between Glennie and Downlands to the schedule means some of the region’s top rugby schoolgirls are also now in action.
Here’s our look at some of the young stars taking to the field at Downlands College this Saturday.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In the build up to this momentous day of rugby Toowoomba Grammar praised the efforts of every player involved in their rugby programs – wishing them the best of luck in their matches on Saturday. As a result the following lists focuses on the Downlands and Glennie boys and girls teams.
Downlands First XV
Adam Fahamokeoia: Back in the First XV after playing last year, Adam is an experienced played having represented Darling Downs and Queensland Schools
Clancy Adams: With more than 40 First XV caps to his name Clancy is a determined and experienced player.
Gavin Wilson-Tyres: An impressive tight head prop who has representative honours for Queensland Reds, South East Queensland and Queensland Country.
Declan Day: Declan is a hard working second rower, always looking to break the line. Declan is part of a rich family tradition of Downlanders, non more famous than his illustrious uncle, Wallaby Brett Robinson.
Charlie Yeomans: A typical lineout forward who works hard and is representing the First XV for the second year in a row. Charlie also represented Darling Downs and is the college vice-captain.
Lochart Pringle: Lochart hails from Darwin and lets his actions speak for themselves. Back for a second year in the First XV he is also a Darling Downs rep player.
Ethan Niki: Another Darwin resident who has a long family history of excellence in sport and who attended Downlands College. Ethan is a down to earth hard working forward who
always leads from the front.
Jake Stephens: The third of four Darwin residents, Jake is the captain of the team. This is his third year representing Downlands First XV. Jake Also represented, Darling Downs and Queensland Schools and is a hard carrying No.8.
Carter O’Brien: Carter is one of four brothers currently in Downlands College. He is a typical No. 9 in his approach to life. Carter follows in his older brother’s footsteps as a First XV representative. Carter also represented Darling Downs in the state championships
David Nunn: David provides direction to the team with clear and cool decision making. This is David’s second year in the First XV and he is another Darling Downs representative. David’s uncle and father are also proud past students of Downlands College.
Atticus Sullivan: Atticus is a hard working winger with a natural feel for the game. Atticus is another First XV representative with a proud family heritage of representing Downlands College. His father Daniel Sullivan represented Downlands and the Australian School Boys
in 1991 and 1992.
Ben Lotz: Ben Lotz is the vice-captain of the team, and is representing the First XV for the third year in a row. Ben is an exceptional centre who has represented both Queensland Schools and Darling Downs in 2024.
Max Primus: Max is a hard working defender who has a strong presence in the backline. Max is still young but has already been selected for higher honours, including Darling Downs and South East Queensland.
Charlie Aston: Charlie Aston is a fleet- footed winger who represents the college proudly. Charlie is also a representative touch football player and the college sports captain.
Luke Xeureb: Luke is a multi-talented rugby player who excels across the backline in any position. This is his second year representing the First XV and his energy and motivation is inspiring to all his teammates.
Downlands First VII girls
Annie Scriven: Annie has a great burst of speed and the ability to identify space in the opposition’s defensive line.
Ava Fitzpatrick: Ava has a bubbly personality and speed to match. Watch out for her in open space.
Bess Murray: Bess is a powerful ball runner who loves contact and is damaging around the ruck.
Charlee Lamb: Charlee is a skilful forward that can run, pass and kick. She is a threat no matter where she is on the field.
Francesca Daboul: The team captain and college vice-captain is a positive and honest leader. Francesca is the leader of the team. She plays with determination and never shys away from hard work.
Gemma Rub: Gemma has a big personality and will use that on the field for her team. She has a workrate and drive that pushes the team to the next level.
Georgina Loughnan: Georgina is one of the hardest ball runners and tacklers that will take the field this weekend. She brings energy on and off the field and will be a huge asset to the team.
Jadee Denton: Jadee is a hard ball runner and loves to break the line with her speed. She is very damaging whenever the ball is in her hands.
Katie-Marie Beil: Katie is strong in both attack and defence. Her understanding of the game will bring a lot to the team
Lille Merlow: Although Lille is injured and unable to take the field she remains committed to helping and leading the team. Her understanding of the game and communication skills will be a huge asset on the sideline.
Lizzie Koch: Lizzie is a quiet person but her excitable personality comes to life on the rugby field.
Matilda Ebbern: Matilda is a smart, tough player. Solid in both attack and defence, her burst of speed is also a great asset to the team.
Penelope Bruce: New to the game. Penelope is a quality Aussie rules Footballer and has been able to transfer those skills across to the game of rugby. She is fast and dangerous with the ball.
Zoey Bennett: Zoey is a smart rugby player and is a leader within the group. She can identify space and has the ability to go through the gaps or put her teammates into them.
Millie Wolff: Millie is a strong and determined player. She can play most positions and has a huge skillset. A busy player and involved at any opportunity.
Glennie First VII girls
Lucy Anlezark: Lucy has an elite touch football background and is known for her ball playing abilities. She has represented Darling Downs in both touch football and rugby sevens and is a highly respected leader in the Glennie rugby community. Lucy is a player who others look for when under pressure as her communication, leadership skills, and enthusiasm rise for the team.
Ella Byrnes: Ella brings a package of speed, agility and knowledge. Ella has been in the Glennie rugby program for several years, and has shown that determination and commitment will take you places. She played in the Queensland Country Championships and was a member of the Darling Downs under-18 rugby sevens team.
Mia Byrnes: Mia brings a wealth of knowledge in both rugby sevens and rugby league. She was a star in the Western Clydesdales junior rep system this year and has also featured in the Darling Downs, Queensland Schoolgirls and QAS programs for rugby sevens. Mia is known for her contestable kicks, ball playing ability and speed. Her efforts and impressive talent have been rewarded as she was recently offered a position in the Australian Schoolgirls sevens squad.
Charlotte Collie: Charlotte is a strong power runner who has both physical and speed aspects to her game. Charlotte comes from a strong rugby league family, who have taught her to run hard and use her strength. She is adaptable on the field and is always looking to assist her teammates through her support plays.
Pypah Ferguson: Pypah has been a consistent and strong player for Glennie for several years in various codes. Unfortunately, Pypah suffered a knee injury earlier in the year, which has ruled her out of the Selena Worsley Cup. While she will not be able to take the field, she is a force to be reckoned with and will play a major role in supporting the girls from the sideline through her knowledge of the game.
Poppy Gibbons: Poppy is a power player who is fast, agile and isn’t afraid to take on the contact. Poppy is known for her strong tackling technique and ability to run support lines off her teammates. Poppy has represented the Darling Downs, Queensland Schoolgirls, QAS programs, and was most recently named in the Australian Schoolgirls sevens merit team.
Ella King: Ella is a new addition to the Glennie rugby community and has brought knowledge from playing rugby league in the Northern Territory. Ella is a power forward and plays a major role in the centre of the field, directing play and getting the ball to try scoring opportunities. She will be one to watch in her Selena Worsley Cup debut.
Ava Kowitz: Another young gun making ehr cup debut, Ava has a strong touch football background and will be looking to embrace all that Selena Worsley Cup has to offer. She is an impressive halfback, who has vision and ball playing skills which will compliment the rest of the team.
Nikayla Mosby: Nikayla is another student who has been in the rugby program since starting at Glennie. She is agile and always looking to beat her opponent on the inside through the use of her footwork. Nikayla makes her debut this year as she looks to support the girls and learn the ropes of an opens competition.
Chloe Pallisier: Chloe is a well rounded athlete who is highly successful in rugby league, touch football and rugby sevens. Chloe is a versatile player who is a hard runner with deceiving ball playing abilities and has been a part of the Western Clydesdales set-up featuring in junior rep and BMD Premiership games. Chloe is a strong character who is always looking to improve herself and put her best efforts forward on the team.
Anna Park: An inspirational captain who is one of the original Glennie rugby pioneers. Anna has a wealth of skills including speed, agility, ball playing attributes and knowledge of the game. Anna has been involved in many Darling Downs, Queensland Schoolgirls, QAS programs, Australian Schoolgirls and Australian under-18s squads. She has dedicated much of her school sport to rugby sevens and is hoping to lead Glennie to another victory.
Sophie Pender: Sophie is a new addition to the Glennie rugby community and is looking to use her speed to beat her opponent on the wing. While she is still learning the game, she does not shy away from contact and is looking forward to showcasing her skills.
Claudia Woodhead: Claudia is a versatile forward player who will make her cup debu this weekend and has shown her strength through contact and speed in all areas of the game. Claudia has represented at the Darling Downs, Queensland Schoolgirls and QAS program levels and is constantly looking to improve her game. She is known for her work in the ruck and her ability to turn the ball over in high pressure situations.
Sophia Wright: Sophia is a new addition to the Glennie Rugby community, hailing from Emerald. She is an eager player with a rugby league and rugby sevens background who is constantly striving to learn and improve her game. Sophia has a skillfull and powerful kick that can change the game and has become a player any team member can look to for support on the field. Sophia has represented the Darling Downs, Queensland Country and Lloyd McDermott Team at nationals.
Downlands 13A girls
Camille Wade: A hard worker that loves contact. She is impressive with the ball and solid in
defence. Has learnt the game quickly and well.
Isabella Blair: Great with the ball and loves contact. Knows the game well and how to use
the rules in her teams advantage.
Notable Mentions: Lucy Warner, Sophie Nunn. and Sophia Hooper
Downlands 15A girls
Ella York: A good understanding of the game and a mature kid. Leads this team well.
Ruby Sing: Fast and loves to carry the ball to the line and break it or set up her teammates.
Dangerous whenever she is on the field.
Notable Mentions: Keira Johnston, Katie Parker, Caitlin O’Neil and Hannah Gray
Downlands 11A
Thomas Day: Works hard for his team for the entire games. Watch out for Thomas in the
rucks
Mico Hass: The captain of the team, leads from the front with his work rate and effort. A
mature kid for such a young age.
Notable Mentions: Mikey Herbener, Andrew Hunter and Richie Warner
Downlands 12A
Harper Russell: A hard worker who is slick with the ball. Loves setting his teammates up for
tries.
Conor Roderick: A genuine rugby player. Loves the game and loves contact. Can play any
position and be the best at it.
Notable Mentions: Henry Surawski, Louis Hitchcock and Stetson Walburger-Schutt
Downlands 13A
Archer Russell: Watch out for Archer in the ruck. Loves getting turn overs and making the hard tackles.
Jack Crook-King: A combination of great skill and speed.
Notable Mentions: Brandt Van Aardt, Max Jones and Riley Johnston
Downlands 13B
Darcy Wicks: A solid prop and loves to find contact with and without the ball.
Dash Wockner: Dash by name, Dash by nature. Loves having the ball in hand with his crafty
footwork.
Notable Mentions: Fletcher Simpson and Dominic Lawson
Downlands 14A
Tim Luck: A Queensland Country prop who doesn’t stop. Carries hard, tackles hard and loves to scrum.
Noah Primus: A crafty halfback who is always watching the game. Don’t blink or he’ll be
gone.
Notable Mentions: Aidan Day, Charlie Killen, and Pierce O’Brien
Downlands 15A
Sione Fakatava: A under-15 QLD Reds squad member whose size, speed and ball skills make him hard to handle. Watch out for Sione anytime the ball is near him.
Mat Williams: A fast and skilful outside back. Loves being physical and loves setting his
mates up to score the tries.
Notable Mentions: Edge Luck, Jonte Walker, Ollie Case
Downlands 15B
Cameron Groves: A hard worker on the field and can be relied upon to do a terrific job at
everything he does.
Harry Dwan: A touch player that can transfer the skills across. Wait until you see him with
the rugby ball in his hands
Notable Mentions: Jimmy Fletcher, Jack Waters, and Cooper McKillop
Downlands 16A
Xander O’Neil: A workhorse, leader of this team and fringe First XV player. Carries hard,
supports well and tackles anything that moves.
Cooper Chadburn: A smart, hard footballer. A busy No. 7 that just doesn’t stop
Notable Mentions: Riley Coveney, Sonny Yates and Henry Gore
Downlands 16B
Sam North: Tall second rower who works for his team. Leads well with his knowledge and his efforts.
Hayden York: New to the game of union but loves the game and has picked it up well. Watch out for him on the field
Notable Mentions: Ashtyn Messenger, Jack Day and Jack Franklin
Downlands Second XV
Doug Leahy: A skilful and fast backline member. Can play anywhere and looks like he glides
across the field with all the time in the world.
Locky Ryan: A hard working hooker who carries hard and has pace to burn. Loves to find
space to show it off.
Notable Mentions: Nate Potter, Simon Day and Corey Mulheran
Downlands Third XV
Hamish Anderson: Great in the lineout and a hard worker. A great addition to this team.
Marcus Naug: Can play anywhere in the forwards and is very reliable. Works hard the entire
time he is on the field.
Jack Day: Runs hard, tackles hard and speed to burn. Can’t ask much more from a prop!
Notable Mentions: Darcy Kelly, Kolby Munro and Joe Lawless
UNVEILED: Toowoomba’s next generation of tennis stars
We shine a light on the future stars of tennis in the Garden City. Check out which young guns have been making their mark here.
Father-daughter duo ready to lift game at premier strongman comp
Meatstock is set to return to the Garden City in less than a month. Meet the father who will compete in the prestigious strongman event alongside his daughter next month.
Club rivals: The stars to watch in Clydesdales City vs Country clash
Clubmates will become rivals this weekend when the Western Clydesdales City and Country squads go head-to-head. Here’s our look at the stars players to watch.
Teen star reveals secret to 35+ medal and PB athletics season
Recording countless personal bests and winning more than 35 medals from the local to national level, Xanthee Watts had a 2024 athletics season to remember. Now the 15-year-old has revealed the secret to her success.
Named: The Origin stars who will play in Toowoomba NRL trial
The Broncos and Titans have named star-studded teams for their Toowoomba pre-season showdown this Sunday. Find out who will line-up at Toowoomba Sports Ground here.
League star in induced coma after rural Queensland car crash
A 20-year-old Queensland rugby league star is fighting for life after a car crash left him with severe head and chest injuries. Here’s how you can support him and his family.