Downs talent to test their mettle in inter state clash with NSW

Five Darling Downs high school students have been selected in Queensland Reds U18 sides, and will face arch rivals New South Wales next week. Meet them here.

George Griffiths (with the ball) is looking to put his best foot forward when he faces NSW next Saturday. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Downs Rugby will play a leading hand in one of Australian sport’s biggest rivalries next month.

Five players from the Darling Downs region will line up for Queensland Reds under-18 representative squads when they face their New South Wales counterparts on July 1.

Ewald Kruger, George Griffiths, Jeremiah Sialau, William Nason and Chace Oates will feature in the first matches to be played at the newly redeveloped Ballymore.

In a sign of its growing strength all five players are also part of Toowoomba Grammar School rugby program.

Here’s what four of the boys had to say ahead of their week long training camp and their interstate match up against the Waratahs.

Name: George Griffiths

Age: 17

Position: Second Row

The talented second-rower is looking to use this opportunity as a chance to show that he has the talent to play at such a high level.

“It’s pretty cool being named in a Reds side like this,” Griffiths said.

“It’s a unique opportunity to play with the guys that you’d usually play against at school, and it’s cool chance to met a number of new fellas too.

“It’s also exciting as it’s the first time I will play a game like this, against players of such a high standard.

“After school I’m definitely looking to play in the Brisbane competition, as for where, I’m not sure yet.

“But I’m going to use this as an opportunity to put my best foot forward and also to enjoy the experience.”

George Griffiths will play in the Qld Reds U18 Grey team alongside schoolmates: Chace Oats, Jeremiah Sialau and William Nason. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Chace Oates. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Name: Chace Oates

Age: 17

Position: Centres

The dual code athlete was pretty stoked when he found out he was in the side, stating that union is definitely in his future.

“It feels really good to have made the team,” Oates said.

“I played in the U16s before, but it’ll be really cool playing down in Brissy against a strong Waratahs side, and I’m definitely going to try my hardest and put in 110 per cent effort.

“I see it as a really good chance for me to show what I’ve got because you never know who might be watching.

“Moving forward, union is definitely the way to go and I definitely will be going down and playing in Brisbane, and I’ll see what happens from there.”

Name: Jeremiah Sialau

Age: 17

Position: Loose head Prop and Hooker

Moving to Queensland to further his rugby career, Sialau was a constant name throughout his juniors in the Melbourne Rebels system.

The young star is determined to use this opportunity as a chance to stamp his name among the rugby union fraternity.

“It’s cool to have made the side and I’m going to make sure that I play the best I can in the game,” Sialau said.

“I moved to Queensland to further my career and playing in the GPS competition has really helped.

“I’m expecting it to be a tough game and I’m going to take in as much knowledge I can about my position from the coaches and trainers that’ll be there.”

Ewald Kruger will be the staring hooker for the Qld Reds U18 side against NSW U18, Saturday 1, July. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Name: Ewald Kruger

Age: 17

Position: Hooker

The Reds Academy player is no stranger to representative honours, but was still relieved when he saw he made the side.

The hooker is the only player from TGS in the A grade side and is determined to show everyone that despite his age, he is more than capable of playing with the big-boys.

“It felt good making the side,” Kruger said.

“It’s something that I’ve been striving toward and really wanted to achieve.

“The fact that it’s an under 18s side and I’m 17 and still in school, it’s pretty cool.

“I made the side for the under 16s also, but this is going to be another level.

“I’m going to play the best I can as I want to make the under 18 Wallabies side, which is selected out of this game.

The emerging star has his sights set on a professional career in rugby and is going to do whatever it takes to get there.

“The side has a lot of seniors (18-year-olds) in it who are out of school and already playing in Colts and under 20s, so I’ll use the week of camp as a chance to get as much information out of them that I can,” Kruger said.

“I’m currently in the Reds training academy, but I do want to play in Brisbane next year, but ultimately the end goal is to keep working hard and move up the ranks and break into the senior Reds side in the next few years.”