Coach hopes strong performance at Southern State Championships can help grow Rugby Union in state

Tasmania has a history of punching above its weight on the national stage and now the state’s under-18 rugby union side has defied the odds to return home with a division two trophy

The under 18 Tasmanian rugby union team has returned victorious from the Southern States National Championships. Pictured (L-R) Lloyd Lucas, coach Shaun Killian, captain Nicholas Allardice and Blaine Doust. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

THEY only had four training sessions before the Southern State Championships — and none as a complete group — but Tasmania’s under-18 rugby union side has defied the odds to be crowned division two champions.

Despite having no local underage competition to play in, the state’s best juniors joined forces to bring down South Australia 24-0 in the final last Friday, while also taking on two ACT Brumbies sides in Canberra.

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It is believed to be the first time Tasmania has tasted success on the national stage at underage level in Union, and the first time it has played in a final since Wallaby Adam Coleman was a junior.

“We obviously have limited numbers down here and that’s one of the big things for us, trying to grow the game and show we do punch above our weight,” coach Shaun Killian said.

“Our under-18 boys don’t have a local competition, some of them play in the men’s, some don’t play much at all over the year.

“We never had a single training where we had everyone there at the same time, some boys worked, some had men’s rugby on a Saturday, or there were injuries or niggles on a Sunday morning. We only had about four training before we left so it was difficult.

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“But to go over there and have a crack and play quality rugby, and I was introduced to the Brumbies academy manager and a few of the staff, so to expose them was a great opportunity.”

Killian said he hopes the breakthrough title can help grow the game in the state.

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