Australian schools rugby championship 2023: rugby league young gun one of Victoria’s stars

This coach has high hopes for his team at the Australian schools rugby championship in Sydney with a young league star and a winger with X-factor just two of the reasons he is so upbeat.

NSW Barbarians (blue and white) v Victoria at last year’s Australian School Rugby Championships at Knox Grammar. Picture: John Appleyard

Victorian coach Liam Neveling said his team has the ability to win matches, cause upsets and “won’t be easy beats” at the Australian Schools rugby championships kicking off on Monday in Sydney.

Neveling said his squad is a mix of private and state school guns, cultures, speedsters and skilled players.

He is also hoping a handful of them will be on the Australian Schoolboy team list at the conclusion of the four-day tournament at Eric Tweedale next Thursday.

“Mine are fast, we have a decent pack who are fit and we are well connected,’’ Neveling said.

“We also have a good captain who leads them around and talks to them in Caedus (Vaihu).

“I wouldn’t say we are the smallest, about average, but we are quick around the park and they work very hard.

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NSW Barbarians' Ben Park tackles Victoria's Valu Seinafo at the 48th Australian School Rugby Championships at Knox Grammar last year. Picture: John Appleyard

“We want to win games, the boys want to win it all. My expectation is to have fun and play decent rugby. But we are not easy beats, we can cause upset.’’

Neveling said some of his players to watch include his captain who also played for Victoria last year.

“ He’s very good, a very good leader,’’ Neveling said.

“Our No. 8 Puluna Vaea, he should be with the Rebels again, but he’s been injured and our No. 10 Stirling Keogh, our vice-captain (Scotch College), is another one to watch.

“He’s very good on driving the game, a very good leader and a very good game manager.

Neveling said he also has a player with X-factor in Mackenzie (Leith Maribyrnong Secondary College Footscray JRUFC).

Victoria playing the Barbarians last year.

“My winger can kick from goal line to goal line. He’s very good and fast,” he said.

“We have a fullback who plays for Storm under 19s in Jaziah Teofilo-Koko (Emmanuel College).

“He’s a talented rugby league player who came to the school trials.

“He’s only 17 but wanted to get in. He’s brilliant. His footwork, his game management, spatial awareness, it’s great.

“He can find space, his defence is very good, he gets people organised.

“And I have a 16-year-old who can hold his own, Ziggy (Tainui Whakaari Melbourne Grammar School Footscray).

“He’s very good for his age. he can cover nine, ten and fullback and his footwork is incredible. he’s one to watch.’’

“We have four or five boys who should make it in the Australian team. They have the capability.’’

Victroiua’s first outing on Monday is against Queensland II.

VICTORIAN SCHOOLBOYS SQUAD

1 Alifa Laasia Staughton College Footscray JRUFC, 2 Haze Heke Hallam Secondary College Harlequins JRUFC, 3 Caedus Kakatisi Vaihu (C) Aquinas College Harlequins JRUFC, 4 John Brady Haileybury College Melbourne JRUFC, 5 Lisala Nakalevu Rowville Secondary College Harlequins JRUFC, 6 Seasisupi Teu Sunshine Secondary College Footscray JRUFC, 7 Ezra Imo Braybrook College Footscray JRUFC, 8 Puluna Vaea Scotch College, 9 Jehan Roland Mazenod College Harlequins JRUFC, 10 Stirling Keogh (VC) Scotch College, 11 Mackenzie Leith Maribyrnong Secondary College Footscray JRUFC, 12 Max Angove Trinity Grammar School Melbourne JRUFC, 13 Edward Lyons St Kevin’s College, 14 Zyon Iosefo Parade College Footscray JRUFC, 15 Jaziah Teofilo-Koko Emmanuel College, 16 Leo Bakhache Wesley College Harlequins JRUFC, 17 Mitchell Thomas Haileybury College Melbourne JRUFC, 18 Michael Taukapo Dandenong High School Harlequins JRUFC, 19 Charlie Wake Melbourne Grammar School, 20 Morgan Tanuvasa Fountain Gate Secondary College Endeavour Hills JRUFC, 21 Jerome William Westall Secondary College Moorabbin JRUFC, 2 Anaru Whakaari Melbourne Grammar School Footscray JRUFC 23 Tainui Whakaari Melbourne Grammar School Footscray JRUFC. Head Coach Liam Neveling Xavier College/Melbourne Rugby Club, Assistant Coach Conrad Foord Melbourne Rugby Club, Assistant Coach Nic Houbart Powerhouse Rugby Club Manager Tony Hollamby Our Lady’s Surrey Hills/Box Hill Rugby Club

Originally published as Australian schools rugby championship 2023: rugby league young gun one of Victoria’s stars