GPS First XV rugby: Sons of Guns, the Road Ahead for contenders

GPS First XV rugby: Meet the 26 Sons (or relatives) of Guns featured this season while also pondering the Road Ahead for your school as the premiership race boils over.

Andrew Dawson and Nick Tucker

8 min read

August 31, 2023 - 12:00AM

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Two rounds to go, four teams still chasing premiership glory as the GPS First XV rugby competition gets ready to enter the home straight.

Currently the top four looks like this – The Southport School, who have a bye this weekend, join Nudgee and Toowoomba Grammar School on 10 points, with Churchie on eight points.

GPS FIRST XV ROUND 7 TEAM OF THE WEEK

What does the road ahead look like for these four teams which were shoulder to shoulder?

Toowoomba Grammar School: Nudgee, Ipswich Grammar School

Nudgee College: Toowoomba Grammar School, The Southport School

The Southport School: Bye, Nudgee

Churchie: Ipswich Grammar School, Terrace

So much hinges on the winner of Saturday’s match between TGS and Nudgee in Toowoomba, but even then that result will not be decisive win, lose or draw.

Nudgee still have to confront TSS away, while TGS will have a local derby against IGS who were no pushovers.

GPS FIRST XV RUGBY ROUND 7 REPORT

In such an even competition, we wouldn’t dare make a prediction about who finishes where. Has anyone got a coin to toss?

IGS can be spoilers against both Churchie and TGS, while away from the finals’ race this weekend Terrace will look to stretch its winning streak to four games this weekend against BBC, while in form BSHS play dogged BGS.

With a bit of luck BSHS would have a share of the competition lead.

Now lets enjoy this Sons (or relatives) of Guns story.

SONS (or relatives) OF GUNS

Tyson Walker (Ipswich Grammar School)

Tyson Walker.

The talented Ipswich Grammar School fullback or half has rich family bloodlines.

His dad Ben played 138 NRL matches, while his uncle Chris played for Queensland Maroons and his other uncle Shane (178 games) was also an NRL veteran.

Chris had extreme pace as an outside back and Shane was a hooker, while dad Ben was a goal kicking halfback who had a particularly successful stint with Manly.

Tyson’s grandfather Gary was also a 1980 BRL premiership winner with the Norths Devils and was reputedly on the cusp of State of Origin selection in 1981 before the selectors opted for another player.

BRISBANE BRONCOS BEN WALKER

And of course his older brother is Sam Walker, the Sydney Roosters halfback ace who good judges see as a future Queensland State of Origin No.7.

He just as that knack and is a natural, instinctive player.

Sam Walker.

Chace Oates (Toowoomba Grammar School)

Chace Oates.

The talented, versatile TGS back is one of the very good players in the competition which is little wonder given his bloodlines to Brisbane Broncos champion and Queensland State of Origin representative, Corey Oates, who is his cousin.

Corey Oates.

Alex Roe (Brisbane Grammar School)

They didn’t come much tougher in Premier Rugby than former Wests No. 8 John Roe and his son Alex has been a chip off the old block.

In John Roe’s career, persistence paid off when he played 19 Tests for the Wallabies. And now the orthopaedic specialist is watching his son, Alex, played very strongly, also as a No. 8, for BGS.

10 Apr 2004 John Roe of the Reds in action. Reds vs. Stormers super 12 at Ballymore. picDarren/England sport rugby union.

Flynn Horton (Brisbane Grammar School)

Another 19 Test Wallaby veteran with links to BGS is former Australian hooker Peter Horton, the grandfather of 2023 BGS halfback Flynn. Peter Horton was a tough little rooster whose point of difference at the selection table was his superior fitness to many peers.

1979: Wallabies Peter Horton (L) and All Blacks Gary Knight exchange blows during Australia v New Zealand Bledisloe Cup match.

RELATED LINKS

GPS RUGBY TEAM OF THE DECADE SO FAR

THE BEST 23 PLAYERS SINCE 2010 – MIKE WALLACE REVEALS

GPS RUGBY DOYEN NOMINATES TSS’ BEST IN 14 YEARS

Ed Kasprowicz (Nudgee College)

Ed Kasprowicz.

A First XI cricketer and now a First XV rugby player in the same year, the tall Kasprowicz is the son of Queensland champion and former Test fast medium bowler Michael Kasprowicz.

Michael Kasprowicz played 38 Tests and also took 441 Sheffield Shield wickets for Queensland. A former Australian schoolboy rugby player, Michael Kasprowicz was also a member of Queensland’s first ever Sheffield Shields winning team (12th man), then claimed another Shield title with a world class display of swing bowling two years later against a Western Australian line-up Test champions featuring Hussey, Martyn and Gilchrist.

Cricketer Michael Kasprowicz.

Noah Rauluni (Nudgee College)

Gutsy Nudgee flanker Noah has Fijian Test rugby legend Jacob Rauluni as his father. Jacob was a halfback but would often play as an extra forward, such was his strength and desire to see his side going forward.

An Australian schoolboys representative, Jacob played for the Queensland Reds (55 caps) and soon after for his native Fiji where he donned their famous white strip 52 occasions.

Noah’s uncle Mosese, and his grandfather, the legendary Taito, also played halfback for Fiji.

Jacob Rauluni in action for the Reds in 2002.

Nicholas Conway (Nudgee)

Nicholas Conway made his First XV debut on the right wing against BGS where he raced in four tries.

It was a proud moment for the Conway family because his father Bob Conway played First XV as a talented, goalkicking loose forward. Bob went on to play for the Brisbane Broncos.

Of his dozen NRL games for the Broncos, one was as a member of the club’s first ever finals’ appearance in 1990.

TERRACE

Tate Connors

After playing a record 134 games for the Reds Mark Connors celebrates on the shoulders of James Horwill (left) and Stepher Moore (right) in Townsville, Friday, May 12, 2006.

What a thrill for Reds champion Mark Connors to see his son Tate play First XV rugby wearing the famous Terrace strip earlier this year.

Tate played as a winger, unlike his dad who played 134 matches for Queensland and 20 Tests for Australia in the back row.

More than having an distinguished playing record, Mark Connors was always a cherished and reliable squad member, a perfect teammate on a long tour.

He was a 1999 World Cup winner, primarily a No. 8, but was so skilled he could play lock or blind flanker with ease.

Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson (right).

One of the most promising schoolboy locks in the GPS system this decade has been Tom, whose father Brett Robinson is somewhat of a legend.

Robinson captained the champion Souths Magpies during the 1990s, a side which was arguably the finest club team in world rugby at the time.

His leadership skills were also instrumental in the success of the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby, and it was from Canberra where he was rewarded with a Wallaby cap off the bench in 1996.

In all the Downlands College old boy earned 16 Test caps, but he will be remembered for being a champion bloke first, an elite leader second and then a Wallaby third.

Nick Dunstan

Terrace player Nick Dunstan.

Looking at Nick Dunstan is like peering into the past – his uncle is former Queensland champion and Wallaby fullback Greg Martin, the decorated Triple M Radio broadcaster.

Like his uncle, Dunstan is tall, courageous and seems to have time when he carries the ball.

At school Greg was an inside centre sensation for BGS who became a fullback, whereas Dunstan is already an accomplished No. 15.

Ollie Nasser

The Nasser family tree is choke full of sporting high achievers both on the rugby field and in the water polo pool.

Ollie Nasser continues that tradition. He is the son of Queensland and Wallaby flanker Brendan “Bobby’’ Nasser, a tough-as-teak blindside flanker who used to confront the NSW Waratahs with intense ferocity.

Another noted for being a good team man, Brendan was a member of the 1991 World Cup winning Wallaby squad.

Queensland Reds forward Brendan NASSER in 1990

Sam and Joe McGahan

The young halves are both the present and the future of the Terrace First XV squad.

Terrace did well this season, but their future is even brighter in 2024 when the McGahan boys will again be pushing for a Firsts jumper.

Their dad is Terrace Director of Sport Tony McGahan, an elite coach who was head at the Melbourne Rebels before being an assistant at the Reds.

George Hales

Hales has a famous family member – he is related to All Black No. 707 Duncan Hales, who is the first cousin of George’s father.

From the beautiful South Island of New Zealand, Duncan played four Tests for the famous All Blacks in the early 1970s as a winger.

PJ Su’a

Terrace player PJ Su'a.

PJ Su’a will be a strong contender for our Team of the Season, so well has he played for Terrace.

But did you know he also has a high achieving cousin, Malaela, who next month will play for the Australian schoolgirls rugby league team.

Mabel Park's Malaela Su'a.

CHURCHIE

Joseph Stoddart

Stoddart and Churchie First XV go together like salt and pepper and have done for decades.

Joseph is the current Churchie captain, the son of Easts Tigers champion and Churchie old boy Tim Stoddart (1987), a hooker whose toughness was renowned.

Joseph’s older brother Ben was also a distinguished First XV captain while last season Joseph had the joy of playing alongside his cousin, Tom, when Churchie claimed a joint premiership.

Joseph’s uncle, Anthony, was also a proud, past Churchie First XV player (1988).

Churchie player Ben Stoddart playing in 2018.

Jye Crothers

Churchie back rower Crothers is another with a strong family bond.

He has had two brothers, Kaileb and Zac, who played First XV while Kaileb was earlier this week named in our Colts 1 Team of the Season squad as a prop.

Oldest brother Zac has played Easts Premier Grade and Australian under 20s.

The Southport School

Max Durrington

Max Durrington in the 2022 Emerging Reds Cup.

TSS winger Max Durrington has sport pouring through his veins. His Dad is an ex-Major League baseballer, Trent Durrington, a second baseman who played with the Anaheim Angels (1999–2000, 2003) and Milwaukee Brewers (2004–2005).

Trent is an inductee into the Australian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Oscar Shaw, front, and James Martens, smiling behind.

Brisbane Boys College

Oscar Shaw

Shaw is one heck of a sportsman. Earlier this season he played First XI cricket under the coaching of former Australian mentor John Buchanan, then during the winter was selected captain and five-eight of the First XV side.

We should not be surprised he is such a good sportsman – after all his brother Lachlan Shaw is a Brumbies contracted lock.

Brisbane Boys College student Oscar Shaw playing First XI cricket. He also played First XV this season as a five-eight. Picture, John Gass

James Martens

Martens is the son of former Springbok Hentie Martens who toured Argentina in 1993. Martens was named in our Team of the Week on Wednesday after a five-star performance in his return to the side where he scored two tries and kicked 100 per cent of his goals.

Samson Tuqiri

Samson Tuqiri in hot pursuit.

Tuqiri is a terrific wing talent and it is little wonder – his dad Lote Tuqiri is a dual international who played 67 Wallaby Tests and 13 rugby league Tests (nine for Australia, four for Fiji).

Before Lote switched codes he was also a premiership winner with the Broncos (2000).

The family tree stretches back into the distant past where his great uncle, Lote senior, was a Fijian Test front rower and one of the most feared men in Brisbane club rugby, while Samson’s grandfather Tukula was also a fine A grade club footballer for QUT and then GPS.

Lote Tuqiri.

The family’s history links back to the glorious Fijian Coral Coast village of Namatakula where a simple life revolves around family, rugby and fishing.

Frank Howarth

Frank Howarth.

Remember the withering season Jack Howarth had during Brisbane Boys College’s drought-breaking 2020 GPS premiership win?

The star attraction that season was Jack Howarth and this season his little brother Frank played First XV.

Jack will make his NRL debut on Thursday when the Broncos play his Melbourne Storm side.

Jack Howarth.

Delacruz Ripley

Like his brother Lukas, Delacruz is an ex-factor talent who whizzes around the rugby field in bright yellow boots.

Older brother Lukas, a powerful runner with plenty of speed, was Howarth’s sidekick in 2019. Lukas is a Melbourne Rebels contracted player.

Delacruz Ripley.

BSHS

Paddy McInally

It is little wonder McInally is quick. His father Damian McNally was a member of the champion Souths Magpies teams of the 1990s when their club side resembled the strength of a provincial outfit. McInally, also a winger, played for Queensland.

Dirhys Sefo and Mahina Siale

Dirhys Sefo. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Both boys were following in the footsteps of their brothers who were both BSHS First XV players. Vincent Sefo plays professionally in Japan while Mahina also has two brothers playing professionally in Japan.